Re: Is it just me?

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 14:22:00 -0700, "Randy G."
<frcn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Is it just me, or does this all-to-common process of jacking up the
>"handling" and shiping fees seem just not right to you? I do a lot of
>shopping on the Internet- a LOT- everything from dog medicine to my
>two cars, but I will refrain from dealing with business that practices
>this (IMO) gouge shipping.

I've rarely ordered anything where the shipping was less than $7.50 or
so. McMasters Carr, which specializes in small parts, charges about $8
for a weightless order. If you order a lot, you probaby have the same
experience.

The place you ordered from may be a little less efficient, but I doubt
they are gouging here -- it's way more obvious and annoying than
blaming Rancilio and using a hefty markup.

Barry's right in general that transaction costs are severely limiting
ecommerce. For instance, if newspapers and other infomation suppliers
could charge a few pennies per page read, and not have to pay dollars
to process the transaction, they could make money without having to be
"sponsored by advertising some other branch of their" conglomerates.
It would radically decentralize the publishing industry and change the
mass media for the better.

Anyone who comes up with a penny-charge system that keeps fees at a
few percent is going to be very rich and deservedly so.

--
jim schulman
<jim_schulman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
.