Avoiding shipping fees when shopping online
- view video -
Avoiding shipping fees when shopping online
Updated on: 2010-11-26 20:33:15
If you are shopping online for holiday gifts you are certainly not alone.
Americans spent more than $27 billion online last holiday season. It is convenient, but there are drawbacks including those hefty shipping charges that can really inflate your bill.
When Marion Coughlin went online to send her grandson a $45 gift, the cost to send it came as a shock.
"The shipping cost was almost $16 plus five-something for tax, and I was astounded!" she says.
Consumer Reports money adviser Mandy Walker says there are a number of ways to avoid monstrous shipping fees.
"There are sites that offer free or low-cost shipping, so check for those before you start shopping. Some, like Zappos.com , offer free shipping both ways, even if you decide to return an item," she says.
Another site that is worth trying is FreeShipping.org . You type in the name of a store, then you can see whether there are coupon codes you can use at the store's website to save on shipping. And, some websites will ship for free, but not to your house.
Walmart.com lets you shop at its site, then offers free shipping to a Walmart store where you can pick up your purchase. Borders and Best Buy do it too. And, if there is a must-have infomercial product on your list, beware of the shipping costs.
For instance, one infomercial says, "And now, the Awesome Auger is yours for only $19.99 plus shipping and processing."
Those shipping fees listed as "Separate P & H" are tacked on to each item in this offer including a "bonus" drill. In the end, they boosted the bill to more than $56. That is more than double the cost of the original $19.99 product.
Another lesson to be learned from Coughlin: Shop early to avoid sending last-minute gifts to family and friends when shipping costs are at their highest.
The Direct Marketing Association says excessive shipping charges are the main reason shoppers do not finish checking out online. If you think you've been charged shipping fees that are too high or misleading, let 7 On Your Side know.
Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union. Both Consumer Reports and Consumers Union are not-for-profit organizations that accept no advertising. Neither has any commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site.
(All Consumer Reports Material Copyright 2010. Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)
Story posted 2010.11.26 at 05:32 PM PST
All material © 2010 ABC Inc., KGO-TV Inc. & 2004-2010 LSN, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
.
Víctor Lei
No comments:
Post a Comment