[Elecraft] Shipping and Handling

[Chuck Smallhouse]

I also suggest that everyone should consider the other shipping options
available.

I chose USPS Priority Mail, and it was significantly cheaper than UPS
Ground.

It pays to look at all the options.

73, Tony K4QE


I consider that all who offer items to sale direct, and usually over 
the Internet, have already included the cost of the order 
processing/paperwork and the packaging.  You are not going to pick it 
up over the counter !  Otherwise I tend to consider the excessive P & 
H charges, as a form of 'bait and switch'.

Transportation costs from the dealer to the shipping facility, should 
not be considered, as all now offer direct pickup, even USPS.  I feel 
that it's only right for the shipper to offer their customers the 
most inexpensive method available, to the recipient's location.

I live in a semi-rural area and the local (35 miles away) brick and 
mortar stores, are always complaining about the unfair competition 
from the "mail order" business and how they should collect state sales taxes.

The savings that I realize in both $ and environmental costs, in not 
making that 70 mile round trip, can be enormous .  Generally the 
shipping costs are in the same neighborhood, as that of the sales tax 
I don't have to pay.  Although there are some that offer free 
shipping (no handling) above a certain sales amount.

Amazon has chosen not to fight our AZ State Tax Commission and are 
now charging (they only have a distribution center here) state sales 
tax on their orders, plus shipping costs.  I no longer am a customer 
of theirs !

For my own 'out' shipping, I either have to go 30 miles to an 
overpriced franchised UPS shipping center (the main UPS center is 50 
miles distant) or use my very friendly and helpful village PO and the 
USPS.  I'm glad to, as they need the business and  I've never 
experienced a better one !

Chuck,  W7CS