The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #25571   Message #303474
Posted By: Sandy Paton
22-Sep-00 - 07:03 PM
Thread Name: Camsco vs: CDNow
Subject: RE: Camsco vs: CDNow
I've stayed out of this one till now, but I thought I might add a penny's worth here. I just tried to order a single paperback book from Barnes & Noble. Cost $6.50 or thereabouts. Shipping cost? $3.49 PLUS .99 fee!!! Makes Camsco look like a real bargain, doesn't it? Maybe they ship so few items their costs are higher than Dick's or Folk-Legacy's.

In fact, Dick's costs are surely higher than CDNow's. They must certainly get their packing materials for a LOT less than either Dick or Folk-Legacy have to pay, because they can buy in such huge quantities. They also probably pay close to minimum wage for the shipping department labor. I have to pay my son a decent, living wage to do the packing for Folk-Legacy. With a wife and two kids, he could hardly survive on a McDonald's pay scale. Dick does his own CD packing, and I suppose he expects to be decently paid for his time, although he may come to a rude awakening when he figures out how much profit he's actually making in this new enterprise of his. Smell that coffee yet, Dick?

Folk-Legacy's shipping costs go down with multiple orders, too. $3 covers shipping for up to 4 items. $4 will get you 5 to 9 items. $5 covers 10 or more! And we always ship First Class or Priority! That'll break down to $.50 or even less, per item. Are we exploiting the masses? I don't think so. Is Barnes & Noble? Well... Suffice it to say I did NOT get the book from them! $4.48 for one $6.50 paperback is pure thievery!

Sandy (unreconstructed Scotsman)