Richard Aerni on thu 30 nov 06
On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 18:36:12 -0500, Lynn Goodman Porcelain Pottery
wrote:
>Hi Paul,
>
>Most people I know charge 6% plus UPS charges. I used to charge a
>flat 10%, but people complained. It comes out to about the same as
>the 6% plus UPS, so it hasn't affected me.
Wow! Your UPS shipping charges are only 4% of the wholesale value of your
order?? Can I ship with your UPS guy? Mine typically average 8-13% of
wholesale right now(depending on what part of the country I'm shipping
to)...it has gone way up in the past two years.
Please share your tips for shipping...I'd love to learn something new.
Best,
Richard Aerni
Rochester, NY
Connie Christensen on thu 30 nov 06
Sometimes there are ways to get packing materials for free. Hospitals
throw out an unbelievable amount of bubble wrap - (the little bubbles
in about 8-10 foot lengths and about 18 inches wide, perforated at 1
foot intervals). One of my students works at a hospital and has them
save it and she supplies quite a few potters with free bubbles.
Brings me about 5 huge boxes at a time, stuffed full. And of course I
offer compensation for the time and energy she puts into this -
fortunately, she likes pots. The trick is getting the connections to
people who have access to packing materials that can be recycled.
Connie Christensen
Arvada, CO
www.conniechristensen.com
On Nov 30, 2006, at 2:29 PM, Paul Borian wrote:
> Hello,
> i started off this year charging 12% for shipping and started
> dealing with
> a lot more craft galleries/gift stores, etc. than in previous
> years, now i
> am shipping pottery all over the country and buying one step-van-
> load of
> packing supplies after another. I eventually bumped it up to 13%
> but still
> it does cover everything and i really need to charge more. I would
> have to
> get 15% to really cover the cost of all the bubble wrap, peanuts
> and boxes
> i buy (and i get them from the largest shipping place in the area
> with the
> best prices). I have daily pickup with UPS and get excellent rates
> with
> them - that is not my concern. But it is the packing supplies -
> some months
> that is nearly 1/2 of my total operating expenses!
> Of course i always get a little nervous when i raise my shipping
> rates due
> to concern it would affect how much galleries order.
> Is anyone out there charging as much as 15% for shipping? If not
> how much
> do you charge?
> thanks,
> Paul
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> ________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
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>
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Paul Borian on thu 30 nov 06
Hello,
i started off this year charging 12% for shipping and started dealing with
a lot more craft galleries/gift stores, etc. than in previous years, now i
am shipping pottery all over the country and buying one step-van-load of
packing supplies after another. I eventually bumped it up to 13% but still
it does cover everything and i really need to charge more. I would have to
get 15% to really cover the cost of all the bubble wrap, peanuts and boxes
i buy (and i get them from the largest shipping place in the area with the
best prices). I have daily pickup with UPS and get excellent rates with
them - that is not my concern. But it is the packing supplies - some months
that is nearly 1/2 of my total operating expenses!
Of course i always get a little nervous when i raise my shipping rates due
to concern it would affect how much galleries order.
Is anyone out there charging as much as 15% for shipping? If not how much
do you charge?
thanks,
Paul
Lynn Goodman Porcelain Pottery on thu 30 nov 06
Hi Paul,
Most people I know charge 6% plus UPS charges. I used to charge a
flat 10%, but people complained. It comes out to about the same as
the 6% plus UPS, so it hasn't affected me.
Your shipping supplies shouldn't cost you so much! Check the
internet--you may be able to get your supplies for less. I also find
that lots of businesses are more than happy to give you their peanuts
from their receivables, as it saves them the cost of throwing it out.
(I get lots of them from a bisque-painting place near me.)
Lynn
On Nov 30, 2006, at 4:29 PM, Paul Borian wrote:
> Hello,
> i started off this year charging 12% for shipping and started
> dealing with
> a lot more craft galleries/gift stores, etc. than in previous
> years, now i
> am shipping pottery all over the country and buying one step-van-
> load of
> packing supplies after another. I eventually bumped it up to 13%
> but still
> it does cover everything and i really need to charge more. I would
> have to
> get 15% to really cover the cost of all the bubble wrap, peanuts
> and boxes
> i buy (and i get them from the largest shipping place in the area
> with the
> best prices). I have daily pickup with UPS and get excellent rates
> with
> them - that is not my concern. But it is the packing supplies -
> some months
> that is nearly 1/2 of my total operating expenses!
> Of course i always get a little nervous when i raise my shipping
> rates due
> to concern it would affect how much galleries order.
> Is anyone out there charging as much as 15% for shipping? If not
> how much
> do you charge?
> thanks,
> Paul
Lynn Goodman
Fine Porcelain Pottery
Cell 347-526-9805
www.lynngoodmanporcelain.com
L. P. Skeen on thu 30 nov 06
Paul, I would look into Freecycle.com if I were you. In our area at
least, there is always someone who is trying to get rid of packing
peanuts. Not a total answer, I know, but hope that's somewhat helpful.
L
Paul Borian wrote:
Susan Fox Hirschmann on fri 1 dec 06
Connect with your neighbors.
Every so often, I find boxes and styrofoam peanuts at my studio door just
waiting for me to recycle them in my own way. Other than that, I have a
wholesale acct. with a local packaging co. to buy large rolls of unperfed bubble wrap.
I charge my wholesale customers 5% packaging and that helps cover this
business expense. Retail customers do not pay packaging, I just sort of absorb the
costs to get the retail prices.
And every Dec, I do give each of my neighbors a small gift from my heart and
my studio----we are both thankful for each other, I think. They look forward
to my yearly little gifts and of course, I always look forward to receiving
the packaging material.
Best!
Susan
Annandale, VA
Susan Fox Hirschmann on fri 1 dec 06
In a message dated 12/1/2006 7:19:00 AM Eastern Standard Time,
raerni@ROCHESTER.RR.COM writes:
Wow! Your UPS shipping charges are only 4% of the wholesale value of your
order?? Can I ship with your UPS guy? Mine typically average 8-13% of
wholesale right now(depending on what part of the country I'm shipping
to)...it has gone way up in the past two years.
And hate to tell you this but....UPS rates are going up again beginning of
January. And yes, it is often 13% of wholesale or higher.
Susan
Annandale, VA
bellucci04 on fri 1 dec 06
--- In clayart@yahoogroups.com, Connie Christensen wrote:
>
> Sometimes there are ways to get packing materials for free. Hospitals
Another source for free bubble wrap is from a computer store. Many of
their products come in bubble wrap pouches with an adhesive flap. They
are great for holding work by themselves or as a first layer of
packing.
Fran
Maurice Weitman on fri 1 dec 06
At 23:12 -0500 on 11/30/06, Richard Aerni wrote:
>Please share your tips for shipping...I'd love to learn something new.
In general cost plus is a good idea for most customers. But I've got
one tip that I haven't seen mentioned:
Shop around.... UPS has steadily increased their rates as though they
have no competition.
Obviously, part of this is due to increases in fuel costs and others
have also had rate hikes.
But still... formerly higher-priced shippers such as Fedex can be
surprisingly competitive, and in my experience, their Fedex Ground
service has been 25% - 40% below UPS to many markets. DHL, having
merged (bought by or bought) Airborne is also worth a shot.
Having an account with the carrier and being on or near one of their
normal stops can be important.
But you owe it to yourselves to shop around and ask what you would
have to do to qualify for better rates. I'll bet that it'll be well
worth the effort. And don't get complacent, either. Markets shift
and if they think they've got you, well, you won't get the perks that
often go to those who take the time to check from time to time.
Regards,
Maurice
Bonnie Hellman on fri 1 dec 06
To expand on Maurice's point about Fed Ex and Fed Ex Ground often being
cheaper than UPS and the US Post office, if you have an account at Fed Ex
(at least for now) and your print out your own labels on your computer, you
get an additional discount on their posted price.
It was a real eye opener for me.
Bonnie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maurice Weitman"
To:
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: how much do you charge for (wholesale) shipping?
> At 23:12 -0500 on 11/30/06, Richard Aerni wrote:
>>Please share your tips for shipping...I'd love to learn something new.
>
> In general cost plus is a good idea for most customers. But I've got
> one tip that I haven't seen mentioned:
>
> Shop around.... UPS has steadily increased their rates as though they
> have no competition.
>
> Obviously, part of this is due to increases in fuel costs and others
> have also had rate hikes.
>
> But still... formerly higher-priced shippers such as Fedex can be
> surprisingly competitive, and in my experience, their Fedex Ground
> service has been 25% - 40% below UPS to many markets. DHL, having
> merged (bought by or bought) Airborne is also worth a shot.
>
> Having an account with the carrier and being on or near one of their
> normal stops can be important.
>
> But you owe it to yourselves to shop around and ask what you would
> have to do to qualify for better rates. I'll bet that it'll be well
> worth the effort. And don't get complacent, either. Markets shift
> and if they think they've got you, well, you won't get the perks that
> often go to those who take the time to check from time to time.
>
> Regards,
> Maurice
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
Lois Ruben Aronow on sat 2 dec 06
Please know that FedEx does NOT insure artworks. They will gladly accept
you money for insurance, but claims will be denied. Go figure. I learned
the hard way and will never use FedEx again.
UPS may be a little more, but they are very good about claim reimbursement.
USPS, well, if it gets there, you're lucky.
Just my experience. I ship a lot and I pack very very well.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of
> Bonnie Hellman
> Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 5:50 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: how much do you charge for (wholesale) shipping?
>
> To expand on Maurice's point about Fed Ex and Fed Ex Ground
> often being cheaper than UPS and the US Post office, if you
> have an account at Fed Ex (at least for now) and your print
> out your own labels on your computer, you get an additional
> discount on their posted price.
>
> It was a real eye opener for me.
>
> Bonnie
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Maurice Weitman"
> To:
> Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 1:15 PM
> Subject: Re: how much do you charge for (wholesale) shipping?
>
>
> > At 23:12 -0500 on 11/30/06, Richard Aerni wrote:
> >>Please share your tips for shipping...I'd love to learn
> something new.
> >
> > In general cost plus is a good idea for most customers.
> But I've got
> > one tip that I haven't seen mentioned:
> >
> > Shop around.... UPS has steadily increased their rates as
> though they
> > have no competition.
> >
> > Obviously, part of this is due to increases in fuel costs
> and others
> > have also had rate hikes.
> >
> > But still... formerly higher-priced shippers such as Fedex can be
> > surprisingly competitive, and in my experience, their Fedex Ground
> > service has been 25% - 40% below UPS to many markets. DHL, having
> > merged (bought by or bought) Airborne is also worth a shot.
> >
> > Having an account with the carrier and being on or near one
> of their
> > normal stops can be important.
> >
> > But you owe it to yourselves to shop around and ask what you would
> > have to do to qualify for better rates. I'll bet that
> it'll be well
> > worth the effort. And don't get complacent, either. Markets shift
> > and if they think they've got you, well, you won't get the
> perks that
> > often go to those who take the time to check from time to time.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Maurice
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________________
> > ________ 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.
Paul Borian on sat 2 dec 06
thanks for the replies everyone.
just so no one thinks i am stupid i should first of all mention that i get
most of the money back i spend on packing supplies. At least 3/4 of it and
i write the rest off as cheap insurance since i often ship $1000/week and
have only had a few small pieces break all year. I get my supplies from the
place with the best prices in cincinnati and that includes some surplus
water-pump boxes that are nearly indestructable, plus i put them inside
larger boxes with peanuts in between. I have been shipping large, wide
rimmed and paper thin bowls all year without losing a single one of them.
Also, i have daily pickup with UPS and get the same rates as a much larger
company owned by a friend of mine because my business is actually
incorporated into his for several reasons.
Also, for several years i scavenged almost all my packing supplies. For
that matter i scavenged everything i own, including my entire production
studio and built all the equipment in it. But i am getting so many large
orders from so many places around the country that it just is not cost
effective to do much scrounging for peanuts especially since i live in a
rural area and am an hour from cincinnati/lexington where i probably could
get all i need for free. Most of my scavenging time is spent collecting
waste veggie oil for my kiln and van. I haven't bought diesel at the pump
in two years and have not bought propane for my kiln since sept 2005 when i
made the switch.
Basically what i am going to do is charge between 12% - 15% for shipping,
depending on what it costs me. That way i can give some stores a little bit
of a deal, depending on how much supplies i go through and how good of an
account they are. Having a set, flat rate is not the way to go anymore,
there is just too much varience from one order to the next, which of course
also depends on how far away they are. Also, if any of them complain or
just seem concerned about the shipping costs i can play the role of being a
pushover (which i do well) and give them a better deal to make them happy.
thanks again,
Paul
Jean on thu 7 dec 06
Hi Gals and Guys,
I have brooded over this question and have concluded that, for my own
business, the following works. My patrons pay me up front for the pottery
they order. When I ship it, I go to a professional shipper. I take a copy
of the paid invoice and hand-write on it the actual packing and shipping
charge. The patron then sends me a check for that amount. Of course, I am a
small business.
It is hard for people to realize that it may cost nearly as much to ship a
piece of pottery as the pottery itself costs. I do not have room to store
shipping boxes, peanuts, etc. Also, I just plain do not want to spend the
time packing when I could be potting.
May not work for anyone else, but it works for me.
Jean Wadsworth Cochran
www.foxhollowpottery.com
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