BB Store and Shipping Q

[Ruffles&Daisy]

Just wondering if the Binky Bunny store ever offers free shipping?  I love to internet shop but am a cheapskate when it comes to shipping, just wondering if it’ll ever happen, or should I just order and suck up the shipping costs?

[alicat]

 I just wish that they had options for shipping like the US Postal Service or UPS.  I saw that they offer USPS shipping to hawaii, but it would be a great option for the rest of the states as well.  I don’t like to spend a lot on shipping either…   and Fedex isn’t cheap!  I just ordered a box anyway, can’t wait– its supposed to arrive today!!  Hope fedex doesn’t mind a snowstorm

[earthisours]

I haven’t ordered anything in a while since the canadian dollar has been so terrible… but since when did BB stop shipping to British Columbia?! D=

[Hedi]

BinkyBunny/Jennifer owns and runs the site and store. How about you guys email her and see what she says.

I seen on here before that there were issues with out of the country people not paying taxes…or something…i think…but she would have to verify that.

Earthisours…do you know anyone in the states you could have it shipped to that would ship it to you?

[Beka27]

In my opinion, BB has such awesome prices on the toys, that even with shipping you end up saving money or at least break even from buying it elsewhere. For most of the items, there are no brick and mortar stores that I am aware that sells anything comparable. Other websites sell some of the same toys, but you’d still have to pay shipping, and I’d rather support BB with my purchases. The shipping only increases a small amount when you increase your order, so you might prefer to place a larger order every few months, rather than small orders each month.

[Scarlet_Rose]

FYI – I just e-mailed Binky Bunny to stop by here.

[BinkyBunny]

Thanks for asking these questions because it gives me the opportunity to address some common misconceptions about this.

1st:  Fedex many times gets a reputation for being expensive because people think of Federal Express only, not Fedex Ground.  Fedex gives huge discounts to business who ship more than 35 packages per month.   Our discounted Fedex Ground shipping rates are cheaper than UPS, and since August of 2008, they are cheaper than much of USPS. (USPS had a HUGE rate increase back  then)   There are some exceptions – like if you buy one small lightweight item, you may pay a couple of dollars more.  But I would say one out of 100 people do that. 

But just to give you an idea here is a rate comparison: 

Scenario #1  

Shipping from here (California) across country to Ohio, in a 15 x 15 x 10 box  that is 10 pounds (example 3 minibales of hay, and a toy or two)

• Fedex Ground HOME delivering to a RESIDENT = $10.12
• Fedex Ground delivering to a BUSINESS address = $8.34 (many times people will have it shipped to work to save)
• USPS = $15.83

Scenario #2

Same distance but double the weight to 20 pounds (example: Pellets, hay, toys)

• Fedex  Ground HOME delivering to RESIDENT = $16.25
• Fedex Ground delivering to a BUSINESS address = $14.60
• USPS = $24.04

 USPS does not give business discounts and so I could never receive any saving to pass onto you, the customer, as well as there is no tracking for packages that are delivered via USPS parcel.  (and they take their sweet time to look, if at all, for a lost package,)

There is the USPS cheaper priority box but I can’t fit in many of the products that we ship out.   Most people order a combination of items and those boxes don’t work most of the time.

2nd:  We only charge what Fedex charges us.  Some companies tack on extra fees for materials like boxes (which are very expensive) and the time it takes to pack everything. 

3rd:  Many large companies, like Amazon, can offer free shipping because they have such a huge volume that their income AND their shipping discounts are so huge they can afford to do that. Also, some companies will raise rates on some products (not necessarily all)  to cover the costs of free shipping.  

So unless we get as large as some chain store, (which I very much doubt), then it would be impossible to offer free shipping.  Shipping actually already cuts into the costs.  We have to pay for the boxes which again are very pricey even at a business rate as well as we have to pay for a place to work:  storage and a place to pack up the orders.   As a small mom and pop company, it can get expensive quickly.

So as it stands now, as a smaller company, we offer competitive rates and we do not tack anything onto the shipping and that is really the only thing we can do otherwise we wouldn’t survive.   

Hawaii right now is the one scenario where USPS works better.  And if we do decide to deal with International orders, we will most likely go USPS Air in some form – Ground to Canada…oye!  Customs is a nightmare going ground.

But other than that, Fedex Ground is the best route to go for us…and again we pass on the savings directly to our customers.  And the more business we do, the more savings we will get to pass on

[Deleted User]

BinkyBunny, I’m in Canada, so I’m not able to order right now right?  There’s some things I’m dying to buy my bunsters. 

[BinkyBunny]

Soliel – so sorry. Right now we have stopped shipping to Canada. We found that be kept getting charge-backs for duties and taxes, but also Canadian Customs is one of the toughest groups if you go the cheapest route via ground. Every carrier says “GO AIR” via Canada – it’s the best way to deal with customs as they don’t seem to be such bears that way. Not sure why that is, I mean it still has to go through customs check point. Anyway, we think we have FINALLY found a way to get at least decent air rate, but we still have some comparisons to go through before we make our final decision on which carrier. We are thinking we may be able to start back up again with our International orders in a couple of months.

[Deleted User]

I totally understand your frustration with Canada Customs. It’s crazy. I have to make large wholesale orders frequently and I always end up have to pay crazy charges in customs fees, and my shipments always arrive a week or two late because they’ve been help up at customs. So irritating.

I can’t wait until you get your international ordering back up though Good luck

[Ruffles&Daisy]

Thanks for the info. After re-reading my post, I sound like a cheap-o.

[alicat]

Thanks BB… that makes complete sense on why not to have different shipping options.
Anyway– I just got my first order from BB yesterday(turns out FedEx didn’t mind the snowstorm!). Its great to find a company that has products that are safe for our buns and so darn cute too! Diego is munching on a little willow basket as we speak! thanks!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Haha, Ruffles, no worries… I AM a cheapo

[ScooterandAnnette]

The problem I have with couriers like UPS and FedEx and cross-border things isn’t the fees for Canada Customs, but that the shipping company tacks on for “brokerage”. We recently had power adapter replaced – it was a warranty replacement, and the company sent it to us free of charge. They sent it FedEx. I was home to take delivery of the package, FedEx just had me sign and that was it. A few weeks later there’s a bill in the mail from FedEx for $30+ for being kind enough to broker the item through customs!
– Annette

[BinkyBunny]

Ruffles – believe me, I do understand! Shipping is a hard one to swallow sometimes. I do do internet shopping too and depending on what it is, I weigh my options of..what is my time worth to go get in the car to drive a particular distance, stand in line, etc etc., or how far is it, what is are the gas and/or bridge toll costs (now of course, not everyone has to deal with busy freeways and tolls)

Scooterand Annete: Those brokerage fees are such a killer! They say it’s because Canada has one of the most difficult customs around – Because of all the stuff they have to do to get through customs and yes, it is a pain, but the brokerage rates in my opinion are beyond reasonable…and they don’t tell you before hand! That was one major thing that made it impossible, I think for both customers and business owners. That’s why with International orders, we may go via USPS but things have recently changed again with them, so I will need to double check that there aren’t now any extra hidden fees!

[KatnipCrzy]

If place a large enough order I have found the shipping to be extremely reasonable for US customers.  I try to buy enough toys/hay to last 2-3 months.

[jerseygirl]

May have to resort to taking the whole operation bunderground to get the contraband up north. I know a few diggers that could help.

[Scarlet_Rose]

LOL Jerseygirl. That may be something to consider.

[KytKattin]

As an added note, I got my BB stuff today! The value really is great, and the customer service is even better!

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