Cathe T-shirts
- Thread starter rcook
- Start date
SNM Videos
Administrator
Not sure yet....we still have a few things to do before we can begin taking online orders, including:
1) We're going to have to go from using a "shopping script" to using a "shopping cart" for taking online orders since clothing has many sizes and colors. This is something we have been working on and off on for the last few months. Our new shopping cart will also allow you to order videos, DVD and Cathe Gear on the same form.
2) How to handle shipping charges for clothing. The biggest problem in selling apparel is the national average for returns is 35%. We're trying to only carry items that we feel will not have a high return rate.
Still, the shipping prices we charge for our videos/dvd's are less than our actual cost. We can absorb the costs because videos and dvd's have high profit margins. However, with clothing our profit margins are much tighter. Most apparel companies seem to charge 2 to 3 times their actual shipping charges, but will ship you an exchange for a returned item at no charge.The simplest thing for us to do is to keep our current shipping prices that are used for our videos and DVDs and apply them to our apparel. If we do this, we will have to charge shipping for exchanges. We would be interested in what any of you think??....Feel free to make a suggestion.
1) We're going to have to go from using a "shopping script" to using a "shopping cart" for taking online orders since clothing has many sizes and colors. This is something we have been working on and off on for the last few months. Our new shopping cart will also allow you to order videos, DVD and Cathe Gear on the same form.
2) How to handle shipping charges for clothing. The biggest problem in selling apparel is the national average for returns is 35%. We're trying to only carry items that we feel will not have a high return rate.
Still, the shipping prices we charge for our videos/dvd's are less than our actual cost. We can absorb the costs because videos and dvd's have high profit margins. However, with clothing our profit margins are much tighter. Most apparel companies seem to charge 2 to 3 times their actual shipping charges, but will ship you an exchange for a returned item at no charge.The simplest thing for us to do is to keep our current shipping prices that are used for our videos and DVDs and apply them to our apparel. If we do this, we will have to charge shipping for exchanges. We would be interested in what any of you think??....Feel free to make a suggestion.
MissParker
Active Member
Hello! I have no problem with being charged when I return something. If that's what's easier for you, then I say "go for it." Besides, I think it is better to get charged when returning something rather than being charged "extra" initially when ordering "just in case" something would be returned. You all work so hard. Anything to make your job easier is fine with me. Those are my thoughts (but either way is okay with me... I'll still order lots of stuff). Thank you!
starlight6
Cathlete
I too would rather be charged if I return something & have a lower initial shipping charge.
I also agree...anything that makes your job a little easier is fine with me.
I also agree...anything that makes your job a little easier is fine with me.
kathryn
Cathlete
If I understand this correctly, we'd actually be paying three shipping charges for returns: one for the initial shipping, one WE pay at our local P.O. when we return it, and one that SNM would charge as a return fee. If we did an exchange instead, it would be 4 (add the shipping SNM would charge for sending out the new item.
I don't mind paying shipping to you for things I return because I didn't like it, ordered the wrong size or just changed my mind. I would suggest a flat *return* stocking fee. Overstock.com charges a $5.00 fee for any return...for any reason other than their fault.
I would not be willing to pay all these shipping charges (re-stock fees) if it was a mistake on your end...wrong item, size or damaged clothing sent. Would that be a guarantee you would make? If it was your error you would absorb all shipping costs (as well as the shipping for the item being returned to you)?
Thanks.
I would not be willing to pay all these shipping charges (re-stock fees) if it was a mistake on your end...wrong item, size or damaged clothing sent. Would that be a guarantee you would make? If it was your error you would absorb all shipping costs (as well as the shipping for the item being returned to you)?
Thanks.
intensitylisa
Cathlete
To Lizzie:
Laura's pictures are in the "Open discusion" under "My day with Cathe" on the second page. Use the password muscle!
Laura's pictures are in the "Open discusion" under "My day with Cathe" on the second page. Use the password muscle!SNM, My personal experience with ordering clothing from a 'catalogue' is the issue of what size to buy. Getting the wrong size is the #1 reason for my returns. The sizes vary so much depending on the manufacturer. Hopefully the items you will be selling will fall more in the XS-S-M-L-XL sizing rather than 2-4-6-etc. *** Also, I know this isn't easy but styles that look good on many body types may be returned less than average. For example, some clothing ONLY looks good on people with relatively small waists and those of us with not-so-small waists don't realize this and order the style. *** Finally it seems that if you monitored your returns, you may discover some items have a very high exchange rate and then you can discontinue offering these. You've probably already figured this out. *** Charging shipping for exchanges- or call it a restock fee if that sounds better-is fine. I'm sure you would have no problem paying the exchange shipping if it is an error on SNM's part. -joy
Just a question - do you take phone orders as well? Would it be possible to order the t-shirts by phone in the meantime, until you have the web-order service up and running? I hope I won't start a stampede, but I know a lot of us would love to buy one. I'd pay whatever necessary in the case of a return, but I can't see returning a beloved Cathe t!
SNM Videos
Administrator
We're only going to do Cathe Gear online. There would be just to o many mistakes if we took phone orders.