Cool. I’ve voted 
1 Like
Although I include shipping in my prices, I am reconsidering as to whether or not this is the way forward. I’m not sure how I would feel about banners emblazoned on listings in the style of “E”. I’m glad Folksy is different. I wouldn’t want to feel I was at a competitive advantage to those who chose to list their postage. I wouldn’t want any seller here to feel they have to conform to something and a banner may put unnecessary pressure on sellers. That is the big problem with “E” and why I would like to get away from them.
3 Likes
Sorry. All I mean is a little ‘free delivery’ icon next to the product price. I don’t mean a huge banner emblazoned on listings
3 Likes
yes - that’s what i was thinking of too.
1 Like
@ChrisStoneArtist Yes, it just makes me a bit wary because that’s how the other side started, and then they kept pushing it a little further until it feels like you have to offer it. This is why I prefer the idea of showing the total amount instead. That way you could still immediately see when shipping was included, but it doesn’t give a competitive advantage over those who choose to have a separate postage price.
If, like in the article @BigBirdLittleBird posted, it’s unexpected costs that put people off, and people are more likely to purchase when the price they first see is the actual price they pay (I saw that somewhere in the past few days but can’t remember where), it would make sense to make sure it’s that way for everything on Folksy, rather than just drawing attention to the ones with free shipping.
If the price on the thumbnail was item + P&P and you have the more detailed breakdown on the listing (or the thumbnail showed item price, then item + P&P underneath), you would immediately know what you will have to pay, and the only unexpected surprise you might get at checkout is a discount from combined postage, rather than an extra cost.
Of course the system would have to know which country you’re in to give you the right total, which I know would be possible on other sites (as the other side is pretty good at predicting which currency/location you need), but I don’t know if it’d be easy with however Folksy is set up.
2 Likes
If E is anything to go by, the “free postage” debate is proving as divisive as Brexit. I think sellers here should conduct their pricing as they see fit and can advertise free postage or otherwise on their own shop announcement. That’s what I do and I don’t expect my selling platform to put me on a pedestal for it. Some customers like the simplicity of free/included postage, others recoil from it. I think @konyskiw’s suggestion of showing the total price on the thumbnail is an excellent idea, if it is doable.
5 Likes
Seems I opened up quite a debate, very interesting reading from everyone so thanks. I think that being able to see exactly what you are going to pay immediately is essential. TBH I am still getting to grips with combined shipping etc. anyway … thanks
I have postage costs shown but would love to be able to scale the postage. ie orders up to £10, £25, £50 free etc. I did this on my website and would prefer to see postage that can be preset without entering under each product,
Postage does not worry me as understand it has to be paid and would rather have postage shown than put into the cost.
As a buyer I don’t mind paying for postage, if it’s a genuine free postage (not just added to the cost of the item) then that’s a bonus.
As a seller, I charge postage, but only the amount it costs to send the item, I don’t add any extra for packaging as envelopes etc. which are part of my expenses set off against the profit. I don’t want my customers to pay more than they have to.
2 Likes
I’m considering going back to postage added rather than included. I didn’t like the way etsy have always pushed but I went along with it as an experiment - I put my Folksy shop the same way so they were compatible. It has made absolutely no difference and it’s been over a year now - I still only get perhaps 5-6 sales each year from both of them, if I’m lucky. Now etsy are being so pushy (and getting my money and my credit card messed up) I’m running that down with a view to closing them down altogether.
3 Likes
I am leaving…for various reasons
I have offered free postage for about 6 months but I changed that last week. As my items are in the lower price range, it made everything look so expensive. I was also losing out quite a bit to keep the costs competitive with other sellers. So I am much happier charging postage. I have added that all additional items are free postage as well, so hopefully that will encourage customers to buy more than one item.
1 Like
I’ve just seen an intresting VLOG post that increasing your prices to allow for “free” delivery may actually be illegal (this is in the USA but could actually apply here too https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/compulsory-costs-and-charges-delivery-charges.html).
That free is meant to mean free and not be a hidden cost elsewhere. I could see “E” getting into massive hot water for effectively encouraging shop owners to defraud customers by developing a tool to increase the price of items to offer “free” delivery. I only have my digital downloads elsewhere so they are not affected by all of this. I will however carry on showing postage separately so that customers know the true cost of everything.
5 Likes
The only free postage is
a. if someone buys more than one thing and it costs no more postage to send two things rather than one
b. if the customer collects.
5 Likes
or c, the actual day you turn up at The Post Office counter and they ask, “would you like us to post that for free?”
7 Likes
6 Likes
Fabulous, Joy - can I pinch that!!
1 Like
Feel Free… that’s free too
2 Likes
I started offering free shipping to UK (about half-two thirds of my customers) about two years ago, just to see what would happen. I immediately noticed an increase in sales, although I was promoting a lot at the time.
I think it depends on what you offer and what you personally would expect to pay. I have cards at £3.50 approximately and I hate to see something for £3 or £4 that then has a postage price that tips it to £5 or more, as in my head, that card then costs £5 which is way more than I’d pay for a card in a shop. I also asked people what the biggest put off is for them when online shopping, and a lot of people said that they hate thinking an item is x price just to get to checkout to see it’s y price.
It seems to work for me, but I wouldn’t advocate it as something everyone should do.
6 Likes
My sentiments Francesca. I sell easy to mail two dimensional artwork. I could charge £2.00 for a card, and add the £0.60 postage at the end, or charge £2.60 at the checkout. I choose the latter and I think my headline prices are still reasonable.
I am more than happy to absorb the £3 or so postage if someone wants to buy one of my original works at £50.
Everyone is entitled to do what is best for them and should pursue and amend their own postage policies as they see fit, based on their own criteria, not anyone else’s. I don’t see it as the role of a selling platform to endorse one shop over another (or even penalise them as E are doing) based on their postage policy.
5 Likes