Something to watch out for

[David Nicholson]

About a week ago I placed an order with R V Roger Ltd for a couple of Erythronium bulbs. They have a good range of hard to find members of the species. Their Web Suite is fairly easy to use but it is not possible to get details of the cost of postage and package at the time you are placing the order. This is added and shown at the time they send an order acknowledgement and they added £7.50 for this. I thought this a bit steep for an order of just two bulbs and emailed them to that effect. The reply was as follows:-

""We have a standard delivery charge of £7.50 for all bulb orders. We supply a huge number of customers throughout the year, and orders vary from just one or two bulbs up to orders of a thousand or more tulips and daffodils. I'm afraid it is just not possible to charge the exact postage cost involved in each order, as the time involved would have to be reflected in higher bulb prices. We are aware that charging a single price made some smaller orders seem expensive in comparison, but the simplicity for customers was thought to outweigh the disadvantages. With any pricing system there will be 'winners' and 'losers', I apologise that in your case the delivery charge seems high in comparison.

I can only say that over the course of the year we do not make any profit from delivery charges, in fact the opposite  - the amount we charge for delivery does not come close to covering the total cost of packing, materials, manpower and the charges of the various delivery firms we use.""

Still think it's a bit steep, but you pay your money and take your choice!

[ashley]

I feel your pain David, having had similar experiences many times .  For example when attempting to buy a small quantity of plant labels recently (<£5), at the checkout a flat P&P rate of £15 was applied to deliver to Ireland.  Another basket abandoned mid-transaction .  By contrast, some suppliers charge rates that surely cannot cover their full costs for making up and delivering an order.  Needless to say, these latter get my repeat orders.

Many websites give quite clear information about delivery charges under their 'Terms & conditions', but others wait to spring it on you just before you reach the 'Pay' button (or belatedly inform you that they don't deliver to Ireland at all at all ).  Not being a cynic I'm sure this latter is purely accidental  

[David Nicholson]

........ a grief shared Ashley................

[Tim Harberd]

Hi David,
     
     I'd be interested to hear your opinion of the stock you receive.... and also if it flowers true!

Tim DH

[Alan_b]

Based on my own experience, I often wonder how I pay so little postage and packaging charges for many orders I receive.  I know what its like from the other end because I send out a few bulbs myself and it takes me quite bit of time and effort.  It takes time to package the bulbs up securely, write some accompanying notes and take the package to the letter box.  Say half an hour at minimum wage and that adds £4 to the cost, over and above whatever is paid for postage.  I suppose if I was a business shipping multiple orders there would be economies of scale but surely the labour charge will still be quite significant?

[David Nicholson]

     
     I'd be interested to hear your opinion of the stock you receive.... and also if it flowers true!

Tim DH

Noted Tim, will do.

[oxalisdot]

Just looked at their web site.  If you click on Bulbs and look at the bottom left hand corner of the page it gives you a link to delivery charges.  You must have missed that David.

[David Nicholson]

Just looked at their web site.  If you click on Bulbs and look at the bottom left hand corner of the page it gives you a link to delivery charges.  You must have missed that David.

You're right Dot, I didn't see it.