Shop Talk: Free Shipping vs. Offering Lower Prices
However, since many consumers don't understand the fluid relationship between the price of an item and the shipping charges, especially for noncommodity items like furniture, I think the free shipping option would hold greater appeal.
If you decide to go with free shipping, there are several ways you could cut your shipping costs, including the following:
- Companies:
- Amazon.com
- Federal Express
- FedEx SmartPost
- People:
- Deborah Fester
Rob Martinez is the CEO of Shipware LLC, a professional services firm that transforms businesses through intelligent distribution solutions and strategies. Rob has helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands reduce parcel shipping costs an average of 25 percent through contract negotiations, rate benchmarking, modal optimization, invoice audit and other savings vehicles. A cum laude graduate of UCLA, Rob has 20 years of transportation industry experience, including executive positions at DHL and Stamps.com, in addition to his work as an outside consultant since 2001.
