CropChocolate.com Longevity
Many of you have noticed that we are not featuring as many new products as we have in the past. Back "in the day" we offered about 4 new deals every day but since Christmas things have slowed down. There are a few reasons why and we're working to fix them.
First, we had one of our product suppliers charge us more than our agreement. To make a long story short, we're working with the supplier to fix this matter.
The second reason is our margins have been shrinking because of free shipping. In 2010 we spent more the $180K on shipping but only billed $9K. This has cut deep into our margins and we can't survive as a business with shipping representing such a big loss. So here's what we propose and we would love feedback on:
Shipping to the USA
Cartes that are under $59.99 will cost $7.99 to ship. If your order is $60 or more, the shipping cost drops to $4.99. We will also have a $1.99 oversize item add-on per unit for items such as Slice Cordless Designers, 12x12 Albums, 36" Ribbon Organizers, Paper Trimmers and the like. We need to do this because of the increased cost for shipping in a larger box and sometimes in 2 boxes. For example, we had a customer in the US order ten 12x12 albums from her la Carte. It cost her $80 for the albums and she got free shipping. It cost us the price we paid for the albums + $48 to ship them. Essentially it would have been less expensive for us to take those albums to the landfill and dump them. This is not a unique scenario.
Shipping to Canada
Cartes that are under $99.99 will cost $14.99 to ship. If your order is $100 or more, the shipping cost drops to $9.99. We will also have a $3.99 oversize item add-on per unit for items such as Slice Cordless Designers, 12x12 Albums, 36" Ribbon Organizers, Paper Trimmers and the like.
Shipping International
Cartes that are under $249.99 will cost $69.99 to ship. If your order is $250 or more, the shipping cost drops to $49.99. We will also have a $6.99 oversize item add-on per unit for items such as Slice Cordless Designers, 12x12 Albums, 36" Ribbon Organizers, Paper Trimmers and the like.
We realize this isn't what you are totally SWEET on and we know that it may effect some sales. However, with how much shipping costs have effected our bottom-line, we have to do it to stay in business. Like one customer said to me in an email, "i guess the bottom line is (selfishly!!) im worried that youll go out of business bc of high shipping costs and as we (your customers) already save so much money on the product i think maybe we could pick up a bit more of the shipping....i suppose that might alienate some, but i just wanted to let you know that i think many customers would understand especially if you presented it as you need to make sure you stayed in business so you could send huck to a good college. :)"
What's more, we will be able to offer more new deals and feature all the brands that Amber has been working with.
This will take affect on February 15, 2011.
We would love any input. We appreciate the family community that we have built at CropChocolate.com and we are SWEET on the friends we have made here!
Best,
Jon N.
PS - We are waiting on a few back order items. Thank you for being patient with us on items such as Hot Chocolate and Be Mine... and Tees!
