Monday, January 3, 2011

I Didn't Click "Purchase Now" because.....

Years ago I admit to being timid about purchasing "stuff" on the internet. I was leery of the security of giving out credit card information. For instance, if ordering clothes from LL Bean, one of my favorite stores, I'd look at the items on the internet, make my selection and then mail a check with the order form. It would take a few days more, because they would wait to ship until my check had cleared, but I didn't care. Nowadays, I seldom think twice about internet purchases. We buy lots of things from various internet sites and have almost never encountered any problem. We just continue to be careful about it. But the other day I was in the process of making an internet purchase from a well known online motorcycle clothing and accessory site. I won't name the site but I have a couple of sites that I have used in the past for buying scooter "stuff". It has been cold enough recently that I have experienced a bit of a cold neck while riding. The rest of me has stayed relatively warm, but I was considering buying a new balaclava. I found one that looked nice. It was priced at $18, maybe a little more than I wanted to spend, but then again, it wouldn't break the bank and I don't mind spending the money if the quality is good. There was no doubt that the quality would be good from this site. I really didn't need a new balaclava. I have a perfectly good nylon one from my prior bicycling days. It's not new, but not very used either. It works fine and I don't really need it that often. I use it when it is maybe 25-30 degrees and below. But part of the reason I was looking for a new one is that the old one is kind of ugly. It is a sort of blue/purple color and really not very attractive. The new one has a nice additional feature. The material for the neck area is thicker and almost like fur, while the top portion is thin, much like my old balaclava, so that it can fit nicely while wearing a tight fitting helmet. The new one is made specifically with motorcyclists in mind. The old one can be used by anybody. The new one is not a sickly sort of faded blue/purple color, just basic black. Now part of me says that if it keeps me warm, then what's it matter what the old one looks like. The vain person in me says this is not tolerable. It doesn't match anything else I wear color-wise. And it would be "cool" to say I got a new one from one of my favorite motorcycle web sites. (I am so bad, I keep a copy of that particular catalog in the bathroom so I can peruse and dream over all the "stuff" as I take care of some of my daily duties.) I also found a particular belt I wanted at the same site. I didn't really need it either, I just wanted it. Do you ever fight with yourself about stuff you "want" as opposed to stuff you really "need"? Anyway, I entered the two items, totaling less than $40, into the shopping cart on the web site and clicked the button to see what the shipping cost would be. $9.00 Nine friggin' Dollars !!!! I am sure that the two items could be shipped in a relatively small box. It can't weigh very much. And I wasn't interested in overnight or even two day fares. Just your basic normal shipping. $9.00? Are you really kidding me? The "shipping" was about 25% of the total purchase. I suppose I might have felt better if it had said "Shipping and Handling" rather than just "Shipping". Maybe I subconsciously don't mind paying for a little "handling". But I know for a fact that the shipping would not be more than a few bucks. Hell, you could parcel post it for almost next to nothing and I don't really care how it gets here, just so it does. So I never finished the transaction. Maybe I should have, but at that time, economy won out over vanity, and it sure seemed that the balaclava and belt just got a little more expensive than I felt comfortable with. Damn! Now I have to ride "ugly".

12 comments:

  1. Ride ugly maybe...but at least $9 richer...I had exactly the same issues you describe...At very first, I was reluctant to order on line for the same reasons, then I started ordering on line...and now I am more conservative about ordering on line, because as you say, the shipping charges is where they get you...or at least it seems like it is where they stick it to you...

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  2. Yeah, that handling/shipping charge is where they really make their money I think. Having said that though, you can't beat a good balaclava when it comes to staying warm in cold weather riding. Good to know you have one already. I use the "neck gaitor" and love it.

    dom

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

    Redleg's Rides

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  3. We are probably mostly like you in respect to accepting paying by CC on the web as it is no a part of normal life. And yes, paying over the top for shipping, or postage and packing and we call it over here has to be watched carefully. The one thing I struggled to get my head around when buying stuff in the USA (in person, not just online) is that prices are advertised without tax, then this is added on later. Why is this? Tax is a part of to total cost of a product, so in my opinion, the retailer should always quote prices as the total cost. The US is the only country I can recall that uses this system. Or am I wrong? What about Canada?

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  4. Baron,
    There are lots of internet sites where shipping is cheap, even free, expecially during the holidays. I suppose it shouldn't make me mad, but that day, at that time, it did. I hate deception and I know it can't cost tat much to ship it.
    Thanks for the visit,
    Jim

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  5. Dom,
    I thought about a neck warmer too, but have been unable to find one up to my lofty standards, LOL. Oh well, it wasn't something totally necessary anyway, and there is a limit to the budget around here.

    Jim

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  6. Gary,
    I guess we are just so used to the tax being added on that it doesn't bother us. It's always been that way as far as I know. What can drive me crazy is different tax rates in different jurisdictions. For instance in Kansas, there is a state rate, but counties and cities can add a local rate to the sales tax. In Kansas there are 105 counties, and probably 1,000 different tax rates across the state. It gets a bit ridiculous.

    Jim

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  7. Dear CPA3485 (Jimbo):

    Happy New Year to a fellow rider! I wish you the best for 2011!

    Riding ugly is one thing... Cheap is something else. I have never been a slave to style and could care less about the color of my sox or the color of my shirt (unless it is the neon variety, which makes me look fatter than I actually am). And there have been many times when I have gone every step of the way in ordering something, only to feel guilty about the "grand total" in the last step.

    The last time this happened, I was ordering an Apple computer for $3200. But when it comes to gloves, helmets, exotic coffee mugs, tools, tire pressure gauges, tire plugging kits, pumps, or even farkle for the bike, I bite the bullet and get what I want. (We are generally speaking about purchases of under $100.)

    Why?

    Because every day becomes a bit like Christmas when you get a present via UPS or the Post Office, even if you bought it for yourself. Because life is too short to deprive yourself of the joy to be had for $36. Because you could drop dead tomorrow, or get run over by a milk truck, and you'll be laying in that damn coffin thinking, "I wish I had bought that balaclava."

    As near as I can tell, you have no vices. Pissing away $9 in postage won't count as one either. Buy yourself that balaclava and I'll send you the $9 myself. I have gotten more than $9 worth of joy reading your blog and I think you should have that dickie, or whatever the hell it is.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads

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  8. cpa3485:

    I always factor in the final cost over what it would be available locally. Also you can purchase "stuff" on-line which is not carried locally too. The freight just gets factored into the whole equation.

    colour means nothing. Ever purchase any pink underwear, or pink crocs ? Actually I have a pair of pink shoelaces for my riding boots. I mean, what does it matter what colour it is as long as they function for the purpose they were designed for.

    Lately I have been purchasing photographic stuff from China and shipping is included from EMS (China Post, Express Mail System)

    My last purchase included shipping from Shanghai and when I received the package I noticed the amount it cost to ship it to me. Considering that the price for the item I purchased was reasonable at around US$220., but it cost $361. RMB to ship it to me, which works out to around Cdn$58. so that is about 25% of the value for shipping which I paid but didn't realize at the time.

    bob
    bobskoot: wet coast scootin

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  9. Jack,
    It's always the advice of kind and knowledgable people like yourself (cough, hack) that have enabled me to conquer life's challenges. Your friendship is very important to me and your sage advice on all matters motorcyclish will benefit me for many days to come.
    And to think I don't even know how to pronounce the stupid thing I almost bought, even though I already own one of those almost "dickie" type of thing.
    Your mention of dickies makes me recall junior high, when everybody was required to be fashion conscious and at one time almost everybody had a dickie, the elites in more than one color.
    I bet that Apple computer is worth every penny though.
    Thanks for fulfilling my life even more,

    Jimbo

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  10. Bobskoot,
    I usually don't worry about color co-ordination, or even any other type of color co-ordination. I have been known to wear socks and even shoes that don't match to the office which leads to endless ribbing from co-workers. As long as the clothing is suitable for the purpose, then who cares.
    But for some reason, I feel this need to look good on Max. Can't explain it. But a $27 Balaclava is a lot more expensive than an $18 one. Ang again, I can't even pronounce it.
    Note to self, "Buy stock in FedEx and UPS".

    Jimbo

    PS: Next time you chat with Jack, get his bank account info for me so I can debit his account for the $9 he owes me. I'll make sure you get a kick-back.

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  11. Dear CPA3485 (Jimbo):

    I sensed I was a going to have a shitty year and thought, "What if I get caught broke with a shitty computer that I hate?" I hit "purchase:" and got that $3200 Mac laptop at the speed of light.

    I thank God for this computer every dsy.

    There is no sense in going bargain basement with something you really enjoy, or will use to earn money every day. I used to love to fish, and bough a freshwater rig for under $60! It was fine... And then I used a $200 rig, and was amazed at the difference. Mac for computers... BMW for motorcycles... Browning (Belgium) and Ruger for guns.

    I bought a brand name shotgun for $189. It blew up (fractured receiver) the first time I fired a high brass round. I spent $1500 on an over and under and put 5,000 rounds through it without a problem.

    Get the balaclava and matching gloves if you like. Ride your scooter like a foreign prince,

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads

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  12. All this discussion. Is shipping a rip off or not? What color? Will I regret the purchase? It's all over my head.

    All I can think about is: I wish all it took to keep me from riding ugly is a new balaclava.

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