Rachael Rice on thu 18 jan 01
I am in the process of designing a web site. I have been thinking of
getting credit card service for people to call me and charge items they
would like to buy from my site. How are people dealing with credit cards
both on the internet and having a credit card machine at home and taking
orders over the phone for items people have seen on your site. I
checked the archives and the only one I found mentioned was Novus. I
couldn't locate them. I see Merchant Bank advertised in back of Ceramic
Monthly. Can anyone recommend a company and provide a phone number?
Also I am confused about shipping costs. When I went on UPS site to see
what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
$19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing,
that would seem plausible but how can I ask customers to pay $25.00 to
ship a $40.00 item. Am I missing something?
Thanks
Rachael
Katy Franz on fri 19 jan 01
UPS has a little secret. A box weighing under 30lbs but with a length and
girth measurement in excess of 84in will be charges at the 30lb rate. The
box size you mentioned 20x20x15 has a length and girth of 90in.
Here's the website that describes the real maximums. Unfortunately, this
84in length and girth business is not mentioned. I had to call UPS while
preparing Christmas packages. I've been stung a few times sending boxes that
are too big.
http://www.ups.com/using/services/packaging/wtsize-guide.html
You may want to only offer smaller items on the web and save your larger
"exclusive" items for local shows and galleries.
Take Care,
Katy Franz
http://www.artmath.com/katy/ceramics.html
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> Behalf Of Rachael Rice
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 8:27 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Credit card Companies and Shipping Costs
>
>
> I am in the process of designing a web site. I have been thinking of
> getting credit card service for people to call me and charge items they
> would like to buy from my site. How are people dealing with credit cards
> both on the internet and having a credit card machine at home and taking
> orders over the phone for items people have seen on your site. I
> checked the archives and the only one I found mentioned was Novus. I
> couldn't locate them. I see Merchant Bank advertised in back of Ceramic
> Monthly. Can anyone recommend a company and provide a phone number?
>
> Also I am confused about shipping costs. When I went on UPS site to see
> what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
> Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
> I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
> $19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
> have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
> and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
> the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing,
> that would seem plausible but how can I ask customers to pay $25.00 to
> ship a $40.00 item. Am I missing something?
>
> Thanks
> Rachael
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> ____________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
Vicki Conley on fri 19 jan 01
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Rachael Rice
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 9:27 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Credit card Companies and Shipping Costs
Hi Rachael, I have been shippingmy pottery for years and charge 6 dollars
plus 10 percent of the order. I usually break about even but with the rising
cost i may go up. the reason you were quoted 19 dollars on the 20 by 20 box
is that UPS has an oversize charge for over 83 inches total height ,width,
and gerth. that size will go cheaper parcel post in the mail about 14
dollars . Just be sure to insure it. As a rule of thumb small and heavy use
UPS, Large and light use US mail. Hope this helps. Vicki
I am in the process of designing a web site. I have been thinking of
getting credit card service for people to call me and charge items they
would like to buy from my site. How are people dealing with credit cards
both on the internet and having a credit card machine at home and taking
orders over the phone for items people have seen on your site. I
checked the archives and the only one I found mentioned was Novus. I
couldn't locate them. I see Merchant Bank advertised in back of Ceramic
Monthly. Can anyone recommend a company and provide a phone number?
Also I am confused about shipping costs. When I went on UPS site to see
what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
$19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing,
that would seem plausible but how can I ask customers to pay $25.00 to
ship a $40.00 item. Am I missing something?
Thanks
Rachael
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
KLeSueur@AOL.COM on fri 19 jan 01
In a message dated 1/19/01 1:14:45 AM, rachaelrice@EROLS.COM writes:
<< When I went on UPS site to see
what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
$19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing, >>
Your example is the highest cost for UPS. Zone 1 to Zone 8. Shipping anything
to California is going to be excessive. I question the size bowl you are
talking about here. A 20x20x15 box is quite large. Is such a large box really
necessary? And $7 for packing materials also seems excessive. Box prices
vary widely from supplier to supplier. And, often packing materials are free
for the asking. If you have a recycling center where you live ask them to
start taking peanuts and bubble wrap. I haven't bought either in years. If
you are going to be doing a lot of shipping all over the country to retail
customers it would be better to average your freight and charge everyone the
same price. Example: If it would cost $3 to ship to Virginia, and $5 to
Michigan, and $13 to California you might want to just charge everyone $7.
You'll notice that that's what most mail order catalogs do.
kathi LeSueur
Joanne L. Van Bezooyen on fri 19 jan 01
a smarty answer would be to charge $60 for the bowl and add $5 for shipping :-)
Perhaps items advertised on the web etc., where its sale would mean it would have
to be shipped, should have higher prices to absorb some of this expense? Our
pricing is determined to include our expenses in utilities, materials, etc.,
perhaps it should also include boxing and packing and shipping in certain
cases?????
Joanne
still cold
Vicki Conley wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> Behalf Of Rachael Rice
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 9:27 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Credit card Companies and Shipping Costs
> Hi Rachael, I have been shippingmy pottery for years and charge 6 dollars
> plus 10 percent of the order. I usually break about even but with the rising
> cost i may go up. the reason you were quoted 19 dollars on the 20 by 20 box
> is that UPS has an oversize charge for over 83 inches total height ,width,
> and gerth. that size will go cheaper parcel post in the mail about 14
> dollars . Just be sure to insure it. As a rule of thumb small and heavy use
> UPS, Large and light use US mail. Hope this helps. Vicki
>
> I am in the process of designing a web site. I have been thinking of
> getting credit card service for people to call me and charge items they
> would like to buy from my site. How are people dealing with credit cards
> both on the internet and having a credit card machine at home and taking
> orders over the phone for items people have seen on your site. I
> checked the archives and the only one I found mentioned was Novus. I
> couldn't locate them. I see Merchant Bank advertised in back of Ceramic
> Monthly. Can anyone recommend a company and provide a phone number?
>
> Also I am confused about shipping costs. When I went on UPS site to see
> what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
> Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
> I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
> $19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
> have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
> and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
> the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing,
> that would seem plausible but how can I ask customers to pay $25.00 to
> ship a $40.00 item. Am I missing something?
>
> Thanks
> Rachael
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
Joanne L. Van Bezooyen
520-749-1685
Art Gecko Designs
http://www.arteriordesigns.com/noname.html
voice & fax: 520 760-1584
11220 East Via Madre
Tucson, Arizona 85749 USA
Gretchen Woodman on fri 19 jan 01
Hi Vicki,
I have a copy of "Crafting as a Business" by Wendy
Rosen, copyright 1998, ISBN 0-8069-8553-4. On page 42
she lists two firms that can give you information on
portable credit card set-up.
1. ACBS Arts&Crafts Business Solutions
2804 Bishopgate Drive
Raleigh, NC 27613
Phone 800-873-1192
2. RSI Merchants Systems
15559 Union Ave.,
Suite 188
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Phone 800-799-0500
In her chapter about Credit and Collections, she
writes: the president of ACBS says he has seen his
customers increase their sales by 25-38% by offering
credit card service.
Wendy Rosen's book is full of resources related to all
aspects of the craftperson's business and lots of
advice and case studies. It may be of interest to
you.
Good luck!
Gretchen Woodman
--- Vicki Conley wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> Behalf Of Rachael Rice
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 9:27 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Credit card Companies and Shipping Costs
> Hi Rachael, I have been shippingmy pottery for years
> and charge 6 dollars
> plus 10 percent of the order. I usually break about
> even but with the rising
> cost i may go up. the reason you were quoted 19
> dollars on the 20 by 20 box
> is that UPS has an oversize charge for over 83
> inches total height ,width,
> and gerth. that size will go cheaper parcel post in
> the mail about 14
> dollars . Just be sure to insure it. As a rule of
> thumb small and heavy use
> UPS, Large and light use US mail. Hope this helps.
> Vicki
>
> I am in the process of designing a web site. I have
> been thinking of
> getting credit card service for people to call me
> and charge items they
> would like to buy from my site. How are people
> dealing with credit cards
> both on the internet and having a credit card
> machine at home and taking
> orders over the phone for items people have seen on
> your site. I
> checked the archives and the only one I found
> mentioned was Novus. I
> couldn't locate them. I see Merchant Bank
> advertised in back of Ceramic
> Monthly. Can anyone recommend a company and provide
> a phone number?
>
> Also I am confused about shipping costs. When I
> went on UPS site to see
> what it would cost to send and average sized bowl
> of 4lb. from
> Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double
> packed box (which
> I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was
> listed at over
> $19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and
> handling you easily
> have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost
> of $40 on a bowl
> and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't
> that excessive? If
> the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and
> $2.00 for packing,
> that would seem plausible but how can I ask
> customers to pay $25.00 to
> ship a $40.00 item. Am I missing something?
>
> Thanks
> Rachael
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change
> your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be
> reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change
> your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be
> reached at melpots@pclink.com.
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
Cindy Strnad on fri 19 jan 01
Hi, Rachael.
I think maybe you're not charging enough for your bowls. A four pound bowl,
finished--that would be about what size? I'd say about 10" diameter? I
charge $66 to $75 retail for a bowl that size. My bowls are pretty highly
decorated, which does make them more labor intensive, but even for a plain
10" bowl, I think you should get more than $40. Just my opinion. I don't
have any trouble selling them.
If it would help, take a look at my site. If you go deep enough into the
Western Line section of my catalog, you'll find a list of prices for bowls.
I don't have all the prices up yet, but the Western Line bowls are there.
Also, plates and mugs. Still lots of work to do.
That aside, for lighter packages, it's sometimes cheaper to go USPS. I've
stopped shipping things myself, though. I take them to a nice lady in Rapid
City, she wraps them up and sends them out, and I get to charge a totally
objective shipping/handling fee. And I don't spend my potting time packing
boxes. She's a better packer than I am, and I'm a better potter than she is.
It only makes sense that we should work together.
I haven't chosen a credit card company yet, but there is a site you can use
in the interim which might be of help to you. Go to http://www.paypal.com .
You won't get an on-line shopping cart, but that's of limited use in highly
customized work anyway. You will get a (free) way your customers can pay
their bills by credit cards if they want to, though, and many of them will
already be signed up with this service. It's not as good as your own credit
card account, but it's better than nothing in the interim. And like I said,
it's free, which is always nice.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
CINDI ANDERSON on fri 19 jan 01
As far as credit cards, the cheapest one around is through CostCo. You get an
exective membership for $100, then you are eligible. I think the rate is 2.1% plus
25c. It is through Nova. They are unorganized and irritating when things go
wrong, but if nothing goes wrong it's ok.
Cindi
Jennifer F Boyer on fri 19 jan 01
Just a word of warning about Paypal. I paid for a used book
using Paypal because that was the only pay method the book store
had for online ordering. WHAT A PAIN!! For me that is. The sign
up process for me was very time consuming and there was a lot of
Bank info required which I felt nervous about divulging......
Just my 2 cents
Jennifer
Cindy Strnad wrote:
>
> Hi, Rachael.
>
> I think maybe you're not charging enough for your bowls. A four pound bowl,
> finished--that would be about what size? I'd say about 10" diameter? I
> charge $66 to $75 retail for a bowl that size. My bowls are pretty highly
> decorated, which does make them more labor intensive, but even for a plain
> 10" bowl, I think you should get more than $40. Just my opinion. I don't
> have any trouble selling them.
>
> If it would help, take a look at my site. If you go deep enough into the
> Western Line section of my catalog, you'll find a list of prices for bowls.
> I don't have all the prices up yet, but the Western Line bowls are there.
> Also, plates and mugs. Still lots of work to do.
>
> That aside, for lighter packages, it's sometimes cheaper to go USPS. I've
> stopped shipping things myself, though. I take them to a nice lady in Rapid
> City, she wraps them up and sends them out, and I get to charge a totally
> objective shipping/handling fee. And I don't spend my potting time packing
> boxes. She's a better packer than I am, and I'm a better potter than she is.
> It only makes sense that we should work together.
>
> I haven't chosen a credit card company yet, but there is a site you can use
> in the interim which might be of help to you. Go to http://www.paypal.com .
> You won't get an on-line shopping cart, but that's of limited use in highly
> customized work anyway. You will get a (free) way your customers can pay
> their bills by credit cards if they want to, though, and many of them will
> already be signed up with this service. It's not as good as your own credit
> card account, but it's better than nothing in the interim. And like I said,
> it's free, which is always nice.
>
> Cindy Strnad
> Earthen Vessels Pottery
> RR 1, Box 51
> Custer, SD 57730
> USA
> earthenv@gwtc.net
> http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jennifer Boyer mailto:jboyer@adelphia.net
Thistle Hill Pottery
95 Powder Horn Glen Rd
Montpelier, VT 05602 USA
802-223-8926
http://www.thistlehillpottery.com/
Check out this searchable sites about web hoaxes:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/science/urbanlegends/library/blhoax.htm
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rachael Rice on fri 19 jan 01
Cindy: thanks for taking the time to write and answer my question. I don't feel
comfortable charging that high price for my pots since I have only been potting for
1 1/2 ;years and I would consider my work good but always contain some slight
blemish( Imperfect foot, slightly off center). How much do you charge for
packaging a 10 in. bowl? Can you tell me the average cost of packaging and
handling plus shipping costs for an average size bowl. The reason I chose a 20 X20
X15 in. box to price was because of the way Jonathan Kaplan had once described as
the best way to ship pottery was in two boxes with at least 2 in. difference
between them. Is that how you package your ware? Thank you .
Rachael
Cindy Strnad wrote:
> Hi, Rachael.
>
> I think maybe you're not charging enough for your bowls. A four pound bowl,
> finished--that would be about what size? I'd say about 10" diameter? I
> charge $66 to $75 retail for a bowl that size. My bowls are pretty highly
> decorated, which does make them more labor intensive, but even for a plain
> 10" bowl, I think you should get more than $40. Just my opinion. I don't
> have any trouble selling them.
>
> If it would help, take a look at my site. If you go deep enough into the
> Western Line section of my catalog, you'll find a list of prices for bowls.
> I don't have all the prices up yet, but the Western Line bowls are there.
> Also, plates and mugs. Still lots of work to do.
>
> That aside, for lighter packages, it's sometimes cheaper to go USPS. I've
> stopped shipping things myself, though. I take them to a nice lady in Rapid
> City, she wraps them up and sends them out, and I get to charge a totally
> objective shipping/handling fee. And I don't spend my potting time packing
> boxes. She's a better packer than I am, and I'm a better potter than she is.
> It only makes sense that we should work together.
>
> I haven't chosen a credit card company yet, but there is a site you can use
> in the interim which might be of help to you. Go to http://www.paypal.com .
> You won't get an on-line shopping cart, but that's of limited use in highly
> customized work anyway. You will get a (free) way your customers can pay
> their bills by credit cards if they want to, though, and many of them will
> already be signed up with this service. It's not as good as your own credit
> card account, but it's better than nothing in the interim. And like I said,
> it's free, which is always nice.
>
> Cindy Strnad
> Earthen Vessels Pottery
> RR 1, Box 51
> Custer, SD 57730
> USA
> earthenv@gwtc.net
> http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Rachael Rice on fri 19 jan 01
Thanks for replying to my question. How often do things go wrong with the credit card
interactions with them?
Rachael
CINDI ANDERSON wrote:
> As far as credit cards, the cheapest one around is through CostCo. You get an
> exective membership for $100, then you are eligible. I think the rate is 2.1% plus
> 25c. It is through Nova. They are unorganized and irritating when things go
> wrong, but if nothing goes wrong it's ok.
>
> Cindi
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Rachael Rice on fri 19 jan 01
Thanks for the info. I checked out your link and now understand the high cost. I
think I need to rethink the packaging issue
Rachael
Katy Franz wrote:
> UPS has a little secret. A box weighing under 30lbs but with a length and
> girth measurement in excess of 84in will be charges at the 30lb rate. The
> box size you mentioned 20x20x15 has a length and girth of 90in.
>
> Here's the website that describes the real maximums. Unfortunately, this
> 84in length and girth business is not mentioned. I had to call UPS while
> preparing Christmas packages. I've been stung a few times sending boxes that
> are too big.
> http://www.ups.com/using/services/packaging/wtsize-guide.html
>
> You may want to only offer smaller items on the web and save your larger
> "exclusive" items for local shows and galleries.
>
> Take Care,
> Katy Franz
> http://www.artmath.com/katy/ceramics.html
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> > Behalf Of Rachael Rice
> > Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 8:27 PM
> > To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> > Subject: Credit card Companies and Shipping Costs
> >
> >
> > I am in the process of designing a web site. I have been thinking of
> > getting credit card service for people to call me and charge items they
> > would like to buy from my site. How are people dealing with credit cards
> > both on the internet and having a credit card machine at home and taking
> > orders over the phone for items people have seen on your site. I
> > checked the archives and the only one I found mentioned was Novus. I
> > couldn't locate them. I see Merchant Bank advertised in back of Ceramic
> > Monthly. Can anyone recommend a company and provide a phone number?
> >
> > Also I am confused about shipping costs. When I went on UPS site to see
> > what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
> > Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
> > I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
> > $19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
> > have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
> > and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
> > the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing,
> > that would seem plausible but how can I ask customers to pay $25.00 to
> > ship a $40.00 item. Am I missing something?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Rachael
> >
> > __________________________________________________________________
> > ____________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> > melpots@pclink.com.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Rachael Rice on fri 19 jan 01
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. If you charge 10% for a
$40 piece ,does $4.00 cover your packaging and time to handle the item. Packaging
material if you use double boxes and good bubble wrap and peanuts cost several
dollars. I am trying to make sure before I commit myself in a web site to cost of
shipping and handling that I don't end up losing alot of money. Thanks.
Vicki Conley wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> Behalf Of Rachael Rice
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 9:27 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Credit card Companies and Shipping Costs
> Hi Rachael, I have been shippingmy pottery for years and charge 6 dollars
> plus 10 percent of the order. I usually break about even but with the rising
> cost i may go up. the reason you were quoted 19 dollars on the 20 by 20 box
> is that UPS has an oversize charge for over 83 inches total height ,width,
> and gerth. that size will go cheaper parcel post in the mail about 14
> dollars . Just be sure to insure it. As a rule of thumb small and heavy use
> UPS, Large and light use US mail. Hope this helps. Vicki
>
> I am in the process of designing a web site. I have been thinking of
> getting credit card service for people to call me and charge items they
> would like to buy from my site. How are people dealing with credit cards
> both on the internet and having a credit card machine at home and taking
> orders over the phone for items people have seen on your site. I
> checked the archives and the only one I found mentioned was Novus. I
> couldn't locate them. I see Merchant Bank advertised in back of Ceramic
> Monthly. Can anyone recommend a company and provide a phone number?
>
> Also I am confused about shipping costs. When I went on UPS site to see
> what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
> Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
> I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
> $19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
> have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
> and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
> the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing,
> that would seem plausible but how can I ask customers to pay $25.00 to
> ship a $40.00 item. Am I missing something?
>
> Thanks
> Rachael
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> __
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>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
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>
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Rachael Rice on fri 19 jan 01
Thanks for taking the time to answer me. I agree with you but i don't think my bowls
are worth $60 ( I have only been throwing for 1 1/2 years) so I feel if I include
shipping and handling costs in the piece , customers would be disappointed.
"Joanne L. Van Bezooyen" wrote:
> a smarty answer would be to charge $60 for the bowl and add $5 for shipping :-)
> Perhaps items advertised on the web etc., where its sale would mean it would have
> to be shipped, should have higher prices to absorb some of this expense? Our
> pricing is determined to include our expenses in utilities, materials, etc.,
> perhaps it should also include boxing and packing and shipping in certain
> cases?????
> Joanne
> still cold
>
> Vicki Conley wrote:
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> > Behalf Of Rachael Rice
> > Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 9:27 PM
> > To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> > Subject: Credit card Companies and Shipping Costs
> > Hi Rachael, I have been shippingmy pottery for years and charge 6 dollars
> > plus 10 percent of the order. I usually break about even but with the rising
> > cost i may go up. the reason you were quoted 19 dollars on the 20 by 20 box
> > is that UPS has an oversize charge for over 83 inches total height ,width,
> > and gerth. that size will go cheaper parcel post in the mail about 14
> > dollars . Just be sure to insure it. As a rule of thumb small and heavy use
> > UPS, Large and light use US mail. Hope this helps. Vicki
> >
> > I am in the process of designing a web site. I have been thinking of
> > getting credit card service for people to call me and charge items they
> > would like to buy from my site. How are people dealing with credit cards
> > both on the internet and having a credit card machine at home and taking
> > orders over the phone for items people have seen on your site. I
> > checked the archives and the only one I found mentioned was Novus. I
> > couldn't locate them. I see Merchant Bank advertised in back of Ceramic
> > Monthly. Can anyone recommend a company and provide a phone number?
> >
> > Also I am confused about shipping costs. When I went on UPS site to see
> > what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
> > Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
> > I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
> > $19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
> > have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
> > and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
> > the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing,
> > that would seem plausible but how can I ask customers to pay $25.00 to
> > ship a $40.00 item. Am I missing something?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Rachael
> >
> > ____________________________________________________________________________
> > __
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> > melpots@pclink.com.
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
> --
> Joanne L. Van Bezooyen
> 520-749-1685
> Art Gecko Designs
> http://www.arteriordesigns.com/noname.html
> voice & fax: 520 760-1584
> 11220 East Via Madre
> Tucson, Arizona 85749 USA
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Rachael Rice on fri 19 jan 01
Thanks for answering my questions. I choose that size because Jonathan Kaplan had
written a while back that the best way to ship was double package in 18 X18 in box
with atleast two inches in between boxes. I wonder if most potters are shipping
double boxed with egg cartons and peanut fill in between. I went on the internet
and priced different packaging items and it did seem it cost at least $3.00 for
boxes, bubble wrap and peanuts per pottery item mailed and then there is the 15
minutes at least of my time packaging which is where I came up with the packaging
and handling costs. It sounds like from the responses I have been getting I need
to rethink this process.
Rachael
KLeSueur@AOL.COM wrote:
> In a message dated 1/19/01 1:14:45 AM, rachaelrice@EROLS.COM writes:
>
> << When I went on UPS site to see
> what it would cost to send and average sized bowl of 4lb. from
> Maryland to California in 20in.X 20in. X15in. double packed box (which
> I assume would add another 2 pounds.) The cost was listed at over
> $19.00. If you add the cost of packing material and handling you easily
> have a cost of $25.00. If your charging retail cost of $40 on a bowl
> and adding $25.00 for shipping and handling, isn't that excessive? If
> the cost could stay at under $5.00 for shipping and $2.00 for packing, >>
>
> Your example is the highest cost for UPS. Zone 1 to Zone 8. Shipping anything
> to California is going to be excessive. I question the size bowl you are
> talking about here. A 20x20x15 box is quite large. Is such a large box really
> necessary? And $7 for packing materials also seems excessive. Box prices
> vary widely from supplier to supplier. And, often packing materials are free
> for the asking. If you have a recycling center where you live ask them to
> start taking peanuts and bubble wrap. I haven't bought either in years. If
> you are going to be doing a lot of shipping all over the country to retail
> customers it would be better to average your freight and charge everyone the
> same price. Example: If it would cost $3 to ship to Virginia, and $5 to
> Michigan, and $13 to California you might want to just charge everyone $7.
> You'll notice that that's what most mail order catalogs do.
>
> kathi LeSueur
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
CINDI ANDERSON on sat 20 jan 01
I've never noticed a problem with an actual transaction.
We've had a lot of problems because they can't seem to list us right so when people see
us on their credit card slip it makes sense. It took many times of changing it before
they would get it right, and before they would put our email address instead of our home
phone number. Because of this, we had two chargebacks because people didn't know who we
were and what they bought. One of those times Nova said they faxed us the information,
but they had a wrong fax number (don't even know where they got it) and never got any
confirmation from us that we had received the complaint (which we hadn't.) So the time
passed that you have to object. We're still fighting about that one.
So basically, if you ever want to change anything, your name, address, etc. it is a pain
in the neck. Pages of forms which they still don't get right. But if you set it up
right in the first place and don't ever plan to change it, then it is fine.
Cindi
----------------------------------------
Rachael Rice wrote:
> Thanks for replying to my question. How often do things go wrong with the credit card
> interactions with them?
>
> Rachael
>
> CINDI ANDERSON wrote:
>
> > As far as credit cards, the cheapest one around is through CostCo. You get an
> > exective membership for $100, then you are eligible. I think the rate is 2.1% plus
> > 25c. It is through Nova. They are unorganized and irritating when things go
> > wrong, but if nothing goes wrong it's ok.
> >
> > Cindi
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Cindy Strnad on sat 20 jan 01
Hi, Rachael.
If you're packing one piece only, you can usually get away with single
boxing if the box is large enough. I generally double box anyway, unless
it's a small and inexpensive and durable piece. It depends on how large your
bowl is, as to how large the boxes need to be, of course. And then, the
larger and thinner the bowl is, the more fragile it will be. If you're
double boxing, you can fit the inner box pretty close to the dimensions of
the bowl, then allow a couple inches all around the inner box, stuffed tight
with packing materials.
If you use peanuts, your boxes will be lighter, but peanuts are sometimes
hard to come by if you're doing an awful lot of packing, and they're quite
expensive to buy.
But then, like I said, I don't box at all anymore except on the occasional
small order when it's easier and quicker than taking it to RC, and if I
happen to have the materials on hand. For a 10 inch bowl, you might need an
11 inch box for the inside box, and a 13" circumference box for the outside
.. . . plus, as tall as necessary to give a bit of clearance on the top and
bottom.
Underpacking is bad, but overpacking can be just as bad because it incurs
unnecessary expense for your customer.
If you can consider it, sometimes it *is* easier for the customer to deal
with mentally if you add the packing charge onto the price of the piece. It
doesn't seem like such a bite, that way. You can't help what UPS charges,
and your customer knows that. As long as she realizes you're not using
shipping as a profit center, like some businesses do, she'll probably
understand. If she doesn't understand, she can't buy the pottery--that's
all.
If you're packing more than one piece, your risk goes up. You have to keep
the pieces from touching one another. I use cardboard *and* bubble wrap to
separate them, not one or the other. And if pieces are particularly delicate
and expensive, they each merit their own separate box, though I may pack
both boxes together inside one outer box. The more valuable the piece is, of
course, the less awkward you feel about charging high dollar for shipping.
I think the bottom line is that people can't get your pottery from anyone
but you (or one of your retailers). If you make it unique and beautiful,
they'll be willing to pay the shipping. It's the only way they can get
it--it's not like they can shop around or head for Walmart, you know.
Someone posted to the list that she didn't like giving her bank information
to Paypal. I don't think she understood the service, but if she didn't, it's
possible others will be confused as well. However, for the record, you don't
have to give bank info to Paypal unless you want to write an e-check. They
will accept only a credit card if that's all you want to give them.
I hope my rambling has been of some help--not sure I'm telling you
everything you're looking for, but if you have other questions, I'll be
happy to help all I can.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
Jonathan Kaplan on sun 21 jan 01
on 1/19/01 6:11 PM, Rachael Rice at rachaelrice@EROLS.COM wrote:
> Thanks for answering my questions. I choose that size because Jonathan Kaplan
> had
> written a while back that the best way to ship was double package in 18 X18 in
> box
> with atleast two inches in between boxes. I wonder if most potters are
> shipping
> double boxed with egg cartons and peanut fill in between.
Thanks for the reference Rachael.
This system works, it has proven itself in over 25 years of shipping our
wares. It is detailed in Steve Branfman's new book.
I have a monograph on the subject that details what you need and how it
works. I'll be glad to send it to anyone on the list upon receipt of a
SASA (self addressed stamped envelope).
We use our bank for credit card transactions. They supplied the Verifone
Trans 320 at no charge. We recently exchanged our malfunctioning Printer 25o
for a new one at the cost of $50.
We pay a very small percentage of each sale that we have to manually key in
the card information. (lots of mail order) If we swipe the card, its even
less.
All debits and credits processed through our terminal appear each month on a
statement from their merchant services division along with their commission.
They are also posted to our checking account which is linked to our merchant
account.
If we go to a retail event, we bring the terminal. The customer receives a
standard 4 part paper sales draft and in the evening we key in the necessary
information on the terminal. Never been burned.
Best
Jonathan
--
Jonathan Kaplan
Ceramic Design Group
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
jdkaplan@cmn.net
Plant Location (use for all UPS, Common Carrier, and Courier deliveries)
1280 13th Street
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
Anne Hunt on mon 22 jan 01
Hi, Jonathan --
Good response, 'specially since you bring up something that's stumped
me...when you take the credit card machine to retail sales, don't you need
to have a phone line to make the whole thing work? Showing my ignorance
here...
Thanks!
anne & the cats, in Sequim, Wa
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