The Ugly Truth About Free Shipping

As a fellow small business owner I appreciate you helping to spread the word to our customers and remind them that shipping is never free. Much appreciated!

Chris, having made several purchases from you, I want to comment on something you did not touch on. There’s a huge difference in the QUALITY of shipping between you and the “free shipping” big A. Your packages are exquisitely done, with items individually wrapped and carefully placed in the shipping container and sealed with custom monogrammed shipping tape. With the big A, your item(s) get tossed into a box or, worse yet, an envelope, maybe a piece of bubble wrap is tossed in too, it’s haphazardly taped shut, and your lucky if nothing is lost or damaged before it arrives at your home. The care and quality displayed with your shipping clearly communicates you, the customer, are receiving something of value which you, the maker and sender, are proud of! Keep on doing it right, brother! Best regards!

I bought a ton of shelf brackets from you earlier in the year and yeah the shipping cost did surprise me at first, but then I took a harder look at what you're selling these for vs what other sellers are (if the products are even available) and it's still very well worth it with the shipping cost. And then when I got the products, the quality was top-notch... no chipped ply, no splinters.

I love that you broke it down into not only the postage but the supplies and backend gear that all go into shipping. It’s often overlooked by both the consumer and people jumping into online sales and it can cause headache and frustration. I’m glad you and your family are doing well with your business! Keep hitting that grind!

This brings back nightmares, Chris. I used to have a small publishing business, and I lost 100% (yes…*all*) of my overseas customers when the USPS raised their rates one year. All of a sudden, shipping a single book cost more than the book itself. I feel your pain, and I appreciate you that much more, Sir. You rock!

GREAT explanation my man, shipping is a big (expensive) deal! Wishing you and your family a killer 2023 😎👍🏼

YOU, are amazing Chris! I think that says it all for me and you're just one-of-a-kind! God bless you and your family!

Thank you for being so open, it helps us understand your business a little better.

You also stand behind your products which is awesome! Thanks Chris for all you do.Hope the family is well!

Great video, thanks for sharing with us. It's always nice to see behind the veil.

Great explanation brother. Love that you're putting this part of your journey out there.

Good to see you again, Chris! Shipping has always been a thorn in my side. My wife and I made some items around the holidays to sell and to sell them with shipping caused the price to skyrocket. We ended up just staying local and losing the business. I have tons of ideas of things that I “could” create and sell, but generally any profit I project just goes out the window in shipping costs, and I don’t have the ability to mass produce, even on your scale, to help offset those costs. Haven’t given up, but it’s tough to find a good balance that makes it worthwhile to push something to market. Kudos to you for making it happen! OPHS Class of ‘87!!

Appreciate the insight. We all take shipping for granted...all the effort goes unnoticed. Hats off to the business you've created...

Great video Chris! I totally agree with your shipping philosophy. Well put!

Chris, you rock! I love what you're doing! I'm moving to a new house in the coming months and will need to set up my garage and tools! I'll be sure to stop by your store when I'm ready!

Great video and explanation of the shipping process. Always enjoy watching

Awesome video, Chris! I always wondered how I was able to get such cheaper rates on Pirate Ship vs. retail, but now I know! As far as your breakdown, I would also include your time spent fullfilling orders, but I know that would just make the negative number larger. As you said, there's no such thing as a free lunch! On certain things, I don't mind eating the cost if at the end of the day my customers are happy and I'm still making a profit. For example, I don't charge extra for credit card fees or for delivery within a certain range. I think that great customer service will pay you back in dividends. I have purchased a few things from you and I can say that you have excellent customer service! Keep up the awesome work, Chris. Cheers. - Joe Porter

There IS such a thing as a "free lunch". When I get to Florida, to show MY appreciation for your channel I'm taking you to lunch, on my dime!

Thanks for the info - I'm just getting into the stage where I'm offering shipping some items, so getting this "glimpse" in invaluable!!! 👊

My problem is when the shipping cost seems ridiculous. I mail care packages etc to friends/family and some are very large and heavy. A few weeks ago I sent a like 40lb large box care package from Indianapolis to Seattle and is cost like between $25-30 with the cost of the box and tape etc. But then a week or so ago someone wanted to charge me like $80 to mail me 3 shirts in a tiny bundle and the distance between my house and their warehouse was like 6 or 7 miles away. That seems really suspicious to me. I have bought from this online store for the last 15yrs and obviously with the rise of costs I was expecting to pay some in shipping, but $80 seems ridiculous... If I could ship the items myself for less than half the amount people want to charge then they just lose my business. I have messaged some I am long time customers of and asked what the deal is and some newer ones to see if maybe there was a glitch, but if folks don't respond back I just take my business elsewhere. I think your shipping costs are pretty reasonable comparatively or your prices don't feel so high that it helps me justify it. But some places price things so high then want me to spend $80 to have it shipped... I can't justify that. Cause it isn't about the cost at that point it has to be something else. Also I love the transparency and supporting cool small businesses etc. I will keep buying stuff from your shop as I am able, paying for nice shipping, being a Patreon, and look forward to it ;) Hope y'all are well! :)