From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

I have been struggling to keep costs down at Pumpkinpost.com and have been thinking of ways to keep the site going.

One of the biggest things hurting the most is the free shipping on all products. On some products, I am slightly making a profit (this helps with monthly website costs), but most of the time I am just breaking even. So, having said that, I can no longer offer free shipping.

I reduced the prices on most products (because shipping was always included) and now will implement a shipping charge on each product. This will actually level the playing field on shipping charges across the US.

On choosing certified seeds, there will be a very small shipping charge added to the order. It should be no more than $1.50 (no matter how many seeds you order)

I apologize for having to do this, but with the monthly expense just to keep the site running, I have no other options.

Thanks for your support…..Ray

3/30/2007 1:31:17 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Thanks for your efforts Ray! Duff

3/30/2007 8:25:43 PM

Rhode Island

ray

your efforts on everyones behalf are honorable to say the least.
you cant run a business at a loss,do whatever it takes to reach your objective. no one ever got rich selling products to pumpkin growers. you are intitled to a piece of the pie not just the empty plate

thanks for helping out

pap

3/30/2007 9:36:21 PM

New Castle, Pa.

My Father was self employed for most of his life, his motto for staying in business was.

"The day is shot to hell, whose setting sun, shows no profit made and all work just done for fun"

3/30/2007 9:54:45 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Ray,
Thanks for your service. No need to apologize.

Doug

3/30/2007 10:04:49 PM

Somerset Ky

ray you do a great job. ive ordered your products its top notch. thank-you james VanHook

3/30/2007 10:09:35 PM

[email protected]

Ray,

Freight & shipping costs are running way ahead of some merchants. Any business that ignores this is doomed.

There is no shame in charging for freight. I do it every day. Even on direct counter sales we're now charging a 1.5% shipping surcharge which is above & beyond the everyday freight expenses which are built into our "cost". We have no choice.

One of our competitors just closed up shop at two locations & laid off 7 people. My former employer was just purchased by John Deere. These guys saw the writing on the wall too late to recover.

Part of the cost of doing internet sales is website & transaction, & merchant credit card fees. These are all valid business expenses that you MUST recover.

For the record, if a client is soliciting me for a bid, I go so far as to examine whether they use credit cards & which ones to make sure I recover every dime associated with transacting business BEFORE calculating margins.

AmEx is a prime example of the absurd costs associated with transacting business.

3/30/2007 11:05:45 PM

Ohio

Ray, mostly all of us know you arnt getting rich and going to retire soon off your web site, and most of us knows your in it to help the grower out in the first place. I don't know how you or 'JMattW' even broke even when you had free shipping like you did. So that said, I understand completely about all the time you put in doing your web site(which is another cost you forgot to mention) and also about you now having to charge for shipping. Im pretty sure most of us growers understand.

Brooks

3/31/2007 4:40:16 AM

Rhode Island

gezz, should we make ray and his business our first "orange angel bp foundation" cause? LOL
pap

3/31/2007 6:00:22 AM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

Thanks guys....I really appreciate it

This endeavor was started to basically break even or make a little and run it as a hobby. This is not my full time job.

The main objective was to help us all out. Certify some seeds, distribute some ferts, fungys and insecticides and be happy.

It just amazes me how much shipping is. It really is ridiculous. I do not know how half of these internet companies survive.

Ray

3/31/2007 10:17:42 AM

Ankeny, Iowa

Your site is good, Ray. I thought I would just tell you that you have done an excellant job with the site. The prices on your seeds are very good and you have a great selection. I've seen seeds that are not even half as good as your seeds selling for 20+ dollars a piece. I just don't see the point in paying that kind of money when you can get better seeds for a MUCH lower price. I wouldn't mind paying a couple of dollars for shipping in order to help support the site and keep it as affordable as it is. Thanks and keep up the good work.

3/31/2007 8:51:01 PM

Sophia WV

Ray no problems here you have to keep your head above water so I dont mind the shipping at all.
Robert

3/31/2007 10:51:34 PM