Lulu and shipping costs
Apr. 21st, 2009 05:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
avevale_intelligencerSome people have reported ridiculous shipping charges when they tried to order my books. I've sent a support email and am awaiting an answer, but in the meantime I checked out the support forum.
Apparently this is an ongoing rhubarb between Lulu and their customers, and quite rightly so, and has only cropped up recently ("within the last two weeks" said one forum poster, and that was about a week ago). There are a number of factors. One of them is simply the cost of the companies they use, and Lulu say they are actively looking into finding better ways to ship their products. Another is that it seems that not all of the shipping options available come up on the site--presumably they're looking into that as well. Another (though it shouldn't be applying to my stuff) is that some book sizes are printed in the UK and some only in the US, which is why I went for trade size instead of standard paperback.
One option that was mentioned was for me to buy a bunch of copies, which works out cheaper, and then bounce them out to people. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to do that at this point, but it's something to consider for later if the situation doesn't improve.
In the meantime, if the shipping charges push the books beyond the threshold of what you're willing to pay, please don't feel bad about not buying the things. There was bound to be a downside to this--it was all far too easy. If the problem gets resolved, then that will be fine: if not, I won't think any the worse of you, honest. :)
Apparently this is an ongoing rhubarb between Lulu and their customers, and quite rightly so, and has only cropped up recently ("within the last two weeks" said one forum poster, and that was about a week ago). There are a number of factors. One of them is simply the cost of the companies they use, and Lulu say they are actively looking into finding better ways to ship their products. Another is that it seems that not all of the shipping options available come up on the site--presumably they're looking into that as well. Another (though it shouldn't be applying to my stuff) is that some book sizes are printed in the UK and some only in the US, which is why I went for trade size instead of standard paperback.
One option that was mentioned was for me to buy a bunch of copies, which works out cheaper, and then bounce them out to people. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to do that at this point, but it's something to consider for later if the situation doesn't improve.
In the meantime, if the shipping charges push the books beyond the threshold of what you're willing to pay, please don't feel bad about not buying the things. There was bound to be a downside to this--it was all far too easy. If the problem gets resolved, then that will be fine: if not, I won't think any the worse of you, honest. :)