All the overhead you've mentioned is why we pay the high prices of these parts ($110 for a small brass fitting, $1200 for a LED indicator). A company should not be trying to pay their bills with their shipping charges. I understand if they're passing along what the shipping company charges them. UPS and FedEx need more compition like in the LTL world. I can ship a 1200lb motor for less than $150 freight but it just cost me $155 to ship a box with a 74lb lower in it.

I disagree. It costs just as much to list and market a $.30 part as it does a $300 part. Actually, probably more in some cases for the little parts due to the fact they require more measurements and specifics sometimes than the larger "complete" items.
(A 5" monster gauge is a 5" monster gauge. A small stainless elbow has at least 6 or more dimensions that have to measured and detailed for retail.)


If you have someone that walks in and purchases products, should they pay the same as you do with your shipping charges built in? No.
What if someone has their own shipping account, and provides this as a backcharge for shipping (to/by a boat manufacturer for example)?

Latham Marine is even worse. The only ship COD........at least last time I ordered from them. A $24 trim switch cost me about $68 shipped.

Yes I get the walk in vs Internet or phone sales and "handling" charges. But it sure seems to me that very recently shipping charges have gone way up. Is this the shipping company or the "handling"?

All the marketing that goes into a $.30 part vs $3000 part is part of using the invaluable marketing and sales tool of the internet. If the company wants someone to be able to place an order with a couple of clicks and be happy when they get the right part then they have to market it correctly. That should have nothing to do with shipping charges.

Bottom line is ridiculous "shipping" charges have been a deal breaker for me more than once and I'm sure that won't change, but what can you do?

All that was mentioned is the cost of doing business and should be loaded in the cost of the parts, not to gouge people on shipping cost,

Smart business owner would mark up the part and provide free shipping. All about perception.
I will price shop shipping if I feel it`s high, I may not bother and pay more for a part if it`s free shipping.

I understand high shipping charges as I've quit doing eBay selling because it's such a pita to pack, price, etc, but when I get charged over $20 for two AN fittings that show up in a bubble envelope I start shopping Summit when I can with free shipping over X amount.

Seems simple, if you don't like the delivered price don't order.

Does this mean I can start charging for "office personnel"?

I have to pay a person to take the call
I have to pay someone to input customer into system
I have to pay someone to schedule the appointment .


It`s overhead and the cost of doing business, when you have a online business shipping is part of running that business and should be reflected in the cost of the parts not marking up shipping.

You cant go to Ebay, Amazon ect to get new Vivorsi sending unit's, if they had the competition of those suppliers it would be a different story, if you want their parts to go with the gauges you have in the boat, you buy from them because the senders are calibrated for their gauges. They have you by the shorties and they know it