Someone’s got to pay for Carol’s $24 million dollar package
UPS =/ USPS
Its going to affect all consumers for nearly everything we consume.
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And USPS doesn’t ship wine. Either way, I think FedEx already does a fuel surcharge that floats?
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My shipments have gone up. Feels like by about $2-5/package.
Just in time for me to send out all the Riesling packs from BD. Sigh. 
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If they don’t have a line item explaining the extra cost then people like you will claim that they are overcharging. It’s a lose-lose situation
Like the guy in the other thread, who’s complaining about a tariff fee being added to his en primeur Bordeaux purchases and then doubles down complaining about the shipping cost saying he can get it shipped from other stores at a lower price. Costs are what costs are if you don’t like it don’t buy the product..
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I’m with you. I agree. However, a fuel surcharge is different because 1) fuel cost is a very large operating expense and 2) fuel prices are volatile, going up and down substantially.
Many operating costs in the businesses you mentioned are meaningful, but not as dominant as fuel is for a carrier. Importantly, the large majority of costs increase over time, rarely spiking up and then down substantially. Thus, it makes sense to simply increase prices or play with other aspects of product mix rather than tacking on surcharges.
A surcharge has the advantage that it can be removed when the fuel prices go back down.
(Large increases in tariffs are another place where a line item can make sense, though this is rarely done.)
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Riddle me this?- I just received a usps tracking notice for a half case of BD wine I ordered.
About a year ago, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse [R-WA-4] introduced a bill that would allow USPS to ship alcohol (H.R. 3011 - United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act); no action has been taken on the bill since it was initially referred to the committees on Government Oversight and Reform and the Judiciary. The National Association of Letter Carriers supports the bill.
Interesting. Thanks for the info.
I run a small winery in Napa Valley. My shipper just informed me that because of fuel prices going up, there will be an increase in the already 8-9% fuel surcharge. Because Amazon has ruined us all about free shipping, everyone complains about the shipping charges. We are a small business and spend about 10% of our annual revenue on discounted and complimentary shipping just to get the sale. I just checked some recent shipments - 3 bottles from CA to GA going Temp-Control and my shipper charged me $92.67! Outrageous - I totally understand why a buyer wouldn’t want to pay that, but wine is also perishable and delicate. I wish I could raise my bottle prices and then offer free shipping! But unfortunately I can’t this environment so we just eat the costs…
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Which shipper do you use? Have you shopped around?
And you must have known about the charges in advance right?
Cheers
À la recherche du temps perdu…
I am currently shopping around, but I didn’t know exact charges before I saw the receipt! I’m doubtful I will find better rates - Fedex and UPS rates are ridiculous!
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Shocking.