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Shipping fatigue and your audio habits

Hello my audio brethren. Recently wrapped up some sales and purchases and the reality of shipping is hitting me hard. It’s rough! The insurance, packaging protection, and the very high cost these days to move packages over 50 pounds, and for gear over 100 pounds… yikes. 😬 It has put a serious damper on the buy/try/sell habit I have been operating in for years. It’s good in a way as it helps me squash the audio nervosa 🐛 , but man does it sting to really think about the extreme high cost to do business anymore. Curious how this has affected y’all. For us non-dealer audio nuts:are you finding dealers out there that used to offer really great deals offering less of a discount ? For dealers: when buying large orders from your suppliers, if you can share, what strategies have you had to adapt to to keep your operating margins? For us used audio sellers on a’gon and USAM have you adjusted your sales to NOT include free shipping? Local sales only?

The Amazon effect “I want my crap  and I want it tomorrow and I don’t want to pay for shipping” seems to be running out of steam. Somebody has to pay the bill. For me I have been much more strict on my sales on USAM. I’m not going to eat the cost of shipping all myself anymore, and more generally I’m pausing big ticket purchases. 

Good luck out there and enjoy the music!

 

audiopacer
fastfreight
1,280 posts
 

@inagroove said:

 

Regarding risks of purchasing/shipping in the audio aftermarket, I will never use PayPal F&F to buy or sell gear.  I feel it is rather scummy to put all of the risk on the buyer when sellers are not willing to share...  

To that end, I encourage all to avoid sellers like @fastfreight 

Best,

Wow inagroove, that is just wrong on many levels.  First, you categorize me and others as 'Scummy'.  Perhaps you should read my numerous 100% positive feedbacks on USA.  I am a hobbyist and Audiophile, who like others enjoys buying and selling used equipment with fellow like minded individuals.  I have NEVER had and issue buying or selling.  If I do not like the sellers terms, I am free to not make an offer.  If one does not like my terms, they are free as well to make their own informed decision.  You seem to enjoy telling people how they should think and recommending what they should do, vs deciding what you should do.  Are you upset that some do not want the hassle of filing tax return info on the cost basis vs sale price in a hobby?  I have never made a profit selling used equipment by the way.  Please keep your mean statements to yourself, and try to learn to express thoughts without condemnation.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,877 posts
 

I never use UPS Store to create a shipment for me. I use my UPS, FEDEX, USPS accounts and then just drive and drop off packages at access points. 
@inagroove if you use your own UPS account you would be paying the correct rates. 

inagroove
263 posts
 

@audphile1 

Yes, I you are absolutely correct.  I should get a UPS account...

Yet, so far FedEx has been so inexpensive that it is hard to consider going anywhere else... IMO, anyone shipping at a franchise UPS, w/o an account, should expect NOT get raked-over-the-coals >> paying 20x $ more at UPS than at FedEx for the same service.

Best

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,877 posts
 

@inagroove when you get your UPS Account and enroll in My Choice. Discounted shipping rates. 

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
2,014 posts
 

Good Luck,I worked in the claims dept for UPS.

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