Shipping Cost Sticker Shock

[Maple Man 85]

I was researching shipping costs and was quite surprised to find the high amount of shipping that goes into just a quart of syrup. For example the average cost to ship a quart of syrup was ranging from $10-$15 to ship across a few states :o. Just curious how successful is everyone's ecommerce business is? Not looking for personal business insight but are producers moving a decent amount of syrup online? I personally couldn't see paying $30 a quart for syrup (shipping included).

Maple Man 85

[maple flats]

I rarely sell just 1 qt when shipping. I use a USPS medium flat rate box most often, which ships 3 qts or 2 half gal or only 1 qt if the customer chooses, and I charge the customer $15 S&H. Aside from sales out of the sugarhouse, my next biggest annual sales are shipped. When someone orders 1-2-3-4 gal I ship it in half gal jugs, because the shipping is better. I used to ship cases of 4 gal by FedEx but after 2 cases got damaged in transit, I changed to USPS. I have had 2 USPS claims over the years, destroyed in transit, but the % is lower for lost product.

[MapleMark753]

I will agree with Maple Flats on this one. We too use the USPS medium flat rate box most often. For us, any damage has only occurred with shipments to either Colorado, or Washington state. Some just don't bat an eye at the shipping cost (which is significant) and like the convenience of having it come to their home, wherever it is.

[GeneralStark]

I too use primarily flat rate boxes and find that it does take a bit of educating the customer to realize how to maximize the shipping cost. One quart is certainly expensive to ship, but you can fit several more things in a medium or large flat rate box with the quart, like another quart or two, or some pints, or some maple cream, candy or sugar. I ship two half gallons for $65 to the west fairly often as customers have realized it's a very good deal for high quality maple syrup.

[sapman]

I've noticed offering 2 half gallons shipped instead of 1 gallon is very common online, and for good reason. I recommend it as well. But I was a little disappointed to see how much discount is given on the price of 2 half gallons? Same as gallon price. Obviously competition at work.

[maple flats]

Mine are not the same as a gallon, a Gal in 2 half gal jugs I sell them for $2/gal more, but the shipping makes it cheaper for the customer. That $2 more than covers my extra jug costs.

[spud]

You can ship a single quart or smaller using Flat Rate Envelopes. I think I pay $6.85 to ship a quart. The bag is lined with bubble pack. I ship tons to Alaska and California and never had a problem. We sell top quality Vermont Syrup for $19.00 per quart and that includes shipping anywhere in the US.

Spud

[Maple Man 85]

Thank you veteran maple producers!!! I was working on my shipping cost analysis and became a bit perplexed, thankfully the Maple Addicts came through again!!!

You guys rock!!!

Maple Man 85

[SognSyrup]

You can ship a single quart or smaller using Flat Rate Envelopes. I think I pay $6.85 to ship a quart. The bag is lined with bubble pack. I ship tons to Alaska and California and never had a problem. We sell top quality Vermont Syrup for $19.00 per quart and that includes shipping anywhere in the US.

Spud

Spud,
how do you have your quarts packaged that you are shipping in the flat rate envelope? Plastic jugs? Something "flatter"?

[3GoatHill]

When shipping USPS they sometimes ask if I'm shipping perishables or liquids. Does the shipping cost go up if you tell them yes?

[Super Sapper]

I have not seen any price increase for that.

[SeanD]

No, the rate definitely doesn't change. They'll stamp it "liquid" in a few places or "fragile" if you tell them there is glass in there. Some packages can be tossed into the back of the truck. They just need a heads up that this isn't one of them. They don't want a mess any more than we do.

[DucFight]

Another option with the USPS are regional rate boxes. Rate A and Rate B. Depending on how far it's going it is sometimes a cheaper alternative to Flat Rate box.