Why is your shipping so expensive?

[Reefing102]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14745233#post14745233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatkinson
Pike, I agree with you. I haven't ordered livestock from LA because of the shipping $$. What got me was I had everything in my cart and went to check out and then saw I had three or four different shipping charges for one order. One for DD one for Rock one for Corals and one for Inverts so I said no thank you. I realize they all ship from different places or something but still. I still check DD nearly every day to see if there's something I just can't live without and check this forum often to see if there are any shipping offers (which is how I found this thread) so I totally hear what you're saying and agree with you. I do think LAs site is by far the nicest and easiest to navigate though, great pictures too.

When you look at their shipping rates page it tells you that there are seperate charges.

Shipping policies and rates are divided into 5 categories which ship from separate locations; you will receive separate order numbers for each shipping category. Shipping categories will be subtotaled separately during checkout as follows:

1. Fish/Corals/Inverts/Algae/Saltwater Plants/Prebuilt Reef Cleaner Packages
2. Diver's Den®/Coral Farm
3. Build Your Own Reef Cleaner Packages/Caribbean Prebuilt Reef Cleaner Packages
4. Live Rock & Live Sand
5. Freshwater & Pond Plants

All rates listed are for the contiguous 48 states. Alaska residents, please call for shipping options. If you'd like to upgrade your shipping method, Federal Express offers a number of convenient delivery options available to many areas of the country for an additional fee. For a list of options available to your area, call 1-800-463-3339. Use the origin zip code: 90045 for transit times.

 

[Ian]

I will happily pay the 40-50 associated w/ a fish purchase related to DD. Both fish Ive bought from them were in 40lb boxes. Theres no way it cost them under $100 to ship overnight (probably MUCH more) compared to the $50 they charged me.

With everything, you get what you pay for. I want the best so I will continue to pay the $50 shipping charge and be happy with it...

 

[tatkinson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14746404#post14746404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefing102
When you look at their shipping rates page it tells you that there are seperate charges.

Don't take this the wrong way but.. Who does that? Seriously.


I think maybe part of the reason I feel the way I do about LAs shipping is because of it's relationship with F&S. Your rates are so killer good on that end I guess I automatically assumed the same would be true of LA.

I'm not saying anyone who likes paying $35 shipping is wrong any more than pike and I are right. Different people just feel differently about it. I order all my dry goods from F&S because of the shipping and get all of my livestock from the LFS because of LAs shipping. LA's the only online vendor I would order from because of my experiences with F&S. I don't know about the quality of their livestock or how it's shipped because shipping $ have been enough to keep me from placing a livestock order. I'd rarely, if ever order items from just one category so it's that extra $35 for that one extra item that comes from another facility that I dislike the most.

The one order I did place with LA was for rock. I didn't feel the packaging was anything unique or above average. Because it wasn't double/triple bagged the water I put in to re-hydrate while I prepared the curing vat ended up all over the floor (my fault, should have known better). The quality wasn't what I expected from the description and it took forever to cure so my opinion is based on that experience. I really don't think anyone actually from LA touched the rock because I really don't think anyone from LA would have sent that rock out. I didn't call and complain because I got it on sale and I didn't want to complain about my first order so I guess that part's my fault but it's part of where I'm coming from.

Just stating opinion here, not trying to argue it as there's never any point. In the end it all comes down to semantics; either the shipping charges are latent and buried in the cost of the livestock or manifest. Granted the latter may be more honest but for some reason I prefer the former.

I too have drunk the Drs. F&S Cool-Aide and think y'all are a great company and am, by no means, saying I feel ripped off by the shipping charges just that I'd like to see some deals every now and then.

I'd even be OK with paying for a shipping discount; like $100 a year for free shipping on orders over $100. Or maybe a rewards scheme where after you spend $1k in a calendar year you get free shipping for the rest of the year with a minimum order.

Thanks,
-T-

 

[DFS/LA1]

tatkinson;

Thank you for your post and for sharing your opinions. As always, we greatly appreciate and value the feedback from all of our customers. We will continue to strive to come up with cost saving offers that will satisfy many consumer needs while still being feasible from a business standpoint.

We are sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with your Live Rock purchase. Although, we encourage customers to communicate any concerns during the warranty period, we will be happy to look into this further. Please PM your customer information or order information and we will work with you to reach a resolution.

Sincerely,

Linda T.
LiveAquaria Supervisor
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[dustinP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14752391#post14752391 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatkinson

I don't know about the quality of their livestock or how it's shipped because shipping $ have been enough to keep me from placing a livestock order. I'd rarely, if ever order items from just one category so it's that extra $35 for that one extra item that comes from another facility that I dislike the most.

thats not entirely true, if your order comes from both of their facilites then i believe you only pay an additional 10 dollars for shipping

 

[dfs/la2]

We apologize for any confusion and want to clarify shipping rates on our live stock.

There is a minimum order amount of $29.99 on live stock orders. The shipping fee is $34.99 for orders under $225.00 and $39.99 for orders over $225.00. These fees are based on orders only shipping from one facility.

When ordering from multiple facilities you are then charged an additional fee of $14.99. These facilities are listed on each specimen page.

In addition when viewing items in your shopping cart this information is also broken down into categories.

You can also view shipping information at the link provided.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any other questions or concerns.

Chris C.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[Creade]

I have no idea how anyone can complain about LA. Seriously, best quality livestock I have ever received

I will gladly pay the extra shipping charge to get the customer service, livestock quality, selection, and guarantee that LA provides its customers.

I have ordered from SWfish.com in the past, quality is nowhere near what I have received from LA.

Not to mention, supporting a WI company is always good!!

 

[Norm R]

IMO, this is clearly a case of "you get what you pay for". As snorvich stated, if the shipping is not explicitly called out as Drs. F&S does, or is stated at a depressed amount, the true cost of the shipping is burried in the cost of the livestock, period. No vendor is giving you free shipping, or $9.99 shipping, out of the goodness of their heart. They are making their money somehow (which should be expected). If the price of the livestock is equal or lower, as well as the shipping being lower, you may be getting lower quality livestock.

There is no right or wrong approach and buyers should simply do what they are most comfortable with, and what provides them the most success over time. I have had repeated success with Drs. F&S over countless orders so I gladly pay what appears to be higher shipping with the knowledge that I will receive the highest quality livestock, in superior packaging, backed by industry leading customer service and guarantees. I would just encourage you to consider the fact that you are not purchasing Snickers bars...every powder blue tang is not of equal quality and has not received equal treatment since it swam freely in the ocean. If you have not ordered from them, give it a shot once and you will see why they have so many dedicated customers. Maybe Drs. F&S should simply charge zero for shipping and replace it with a "quality surcharge". Call it what you want but in an expensive hobby with so many variables, it is simply worth it IMO.

Just my .02.

Norm

 

[mustang51js]

i ordered 2 clams from liveaquaria and the DD and i did pay different shipping on both, but the price of each with the shipping was still cheaper or right around the same price than my lfs's

 

[Korrine]

I just received my fish. I checked to see what USPS charges for overnight delivery using the Wisconsin zip code and my zip code and it came up with $83. UPS next day air was
$133.

I'll gladly pay the $35

 

[Terra Ferma]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14726617#post14726617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmaneyapanda
Dude, do you know how much it costs to ship 3 gallons of water overnight? Make no mistake, Live Aquaria is LOSING mioney by shipping at the cost they do. The other places you mentioned recoup that money but boosting the price of their lesser quality livestock.

jmaneyapanda,

A high volume shipper like Live Aquaria probably pays less than half of what it would cost you to ship the same weight.