Okay, friends. I'm having a dilemma. It's my shipping costs. Twice in the past two weeks, I've had someone complain that $10 is too much to ship one pattern. Well, that's simply not true. $10 not only pays UPS shipping charges, it pays part of the fee UPS charges me for pickups. It also helps to pay the merchant fees for running your credit card.

And if you think UPS is too expensive, check the Post Office sometime. Their Flat Rate Priority Mail Box costs $8.95! And they don't track their packages, so you have no idea when it will arrive. I've had packages sent at the same time arrive three weeks apart. That "Two Days to Most Zip Codes" is no guarantee.

To tell you the truth, $10 is an average. Some packages cost more than that. Some cost less. But it all evens out. Want to get around paying $10 for one pattern? Order more patterns! You'll notice that this shipping charge doesn't go up as your shopping cart fills and fills. You see, UPS doesn't charge by the ounce but by the pound. You can get two or three patterns in a 1lb package. So why not buy more?

I really try to keep my prices the same. I haven't raised pattern prices since I went into business in 2003. In that time, the cost of gasoline has almost tripled, and that means UPS has instituted a surcharge. I've ignored this for as long as I can but now I find I'm paying more to ship your orders than I'm bringing in.

Let's talk hard numbers: Right now, to ship a 1 lb package (the lowest weight possible) to a residential address in the next city to the West, UPS charges $7. Add to that a percentage of the weekly fees I pay UPS, and it easily reaches $10. And this is to send a package 10 miles. What about the packages to California? I'm spending so much on shipping that it's cutting into my profits. How am I supposed to eat if I'm going backwards on shipping?

On Friday, I got a quote from FedEx. They're pretty much charging the same. So that's no help...

I'm afraid I'm going to have to raise my shipping rates. But how can I do that if people are complaining about the cost now?

*worry worry worry*

EDIT: Also consider that I buy plastic envelopes and boxes in which to ship things. That also must be paid for.

FedEx just got back to me with their discounts. When all is said and done, they're about $2 cheaper per package across the board. So instead of charging you lovely people $2 more for shipping, I'm going to charge you the same, but FedEx will be giving you better service. And they deliver on Saturdays at no extra charge. AND they don't make me crazy with their phone system. I have a rep. I talk to her every time I need something. =)

I love free market economies. Competition RAWKS!