Before you place an order, always make sure you check the shipping options and the costs of these options. Depending on the shipping option you choose, the price of your order could skyrocket. Most online merchants today offer many different shipping options for you to choose from. These usually range from shipping that takes approximately a week to get to you all the way to next day delivery. Choosing the right shipping will be left up to you and how much you are prepared to spend to receive your item.
- Remember, the faster you want to receive your item, the more you will spend on shipping. Next day delivery is often the most expensive option available. If you need your item fast, you may have to spend more on shipping, but if you can wait, you can save money if you choose one of the slower shipping methods.
- Look for sites that offer free shipping. Many merchants will offer free shipping options to attract customers. These offers are even more common during the holiday shopping season. If you find a merchant that offers free shipping, take advantage of the offer as a way to save money on your order.
- Check for discounted shipping rates based on the cost of your order. Some merchants will discount their shipping rates and even offer free shipping if your order goes over a certain dollar amount. If you are close to that amount, it may make more sense to order something extra to get the free shipping.
How you ship your goods can be one of the most important decisions you will make as it will determine how it gets to your door and how fast it arrives. However, the faster that you want it the more that you will spend to receive it. Remember to carefully check what shipping options a seller offers before placing an order to you aren’t shocked when the shipping costs raise the price of your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is shipping so expensive?
Shipping prices are determined by both the size of what is being shipped and the weight. If you are shipping a very large item that is heavy, you will have to pay more in shipping even if you choose the cheapest shipping options from a merchant.
Is the cheapest shipping reliable?
Most merchants will over ground shipping as their lowest priced shipping item. This shipping method usually uses private services such as UPS to deliver the goods via truck. While this takes longer, it is just as reliable as other shipping methods.
What if my item is damaged during shipping?
The processor for resolving this largely depends on the shipper, merchant and the type of shipping you purchased. Contact the merchant first to determine how to resolve the issue.
What if my item is lost?
In most cases, you will receive a tracking number to track the status of your item. If it is not received by you in a timely manner, you can check the tracking number. In more extreme circumstances you may have to call the shipping company to track your package. In some cases, you may need to go through the customer service department of the merchant where you purchased the missing item.