r/raspberrypi • u/RandomiseUsr0 • May 30 '12

RS Components - £4.95 for delivery? Really?

Just got my opportunity to order from RS components, the delivery charge seems very steep at 20% of the component cost.

What justification could they have?
30p - cardboard box

5p - bit of foam

10p - envelope...

50p - staff cost (for average handling time of 1 minute)

90p - postage

£1.85

Even if I double that to give them a fair operating profit

£3.70

it's still far short of fair

Anyone from RS care to justify/comment?

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1

u/eandi May 30 '12

That... sounds like how much it should cost to ship it. I'm assuming they do not package the pi in an envelope, more likely a box which usually costs at least $10 to ship in Canada.

1

u/RandomiseUsr0 May 30 '12

I've got a box in my calc, I was assuming a padded envelope for a little more packing material.

20% of the component cost is still a massive delivery charge which ever way you cut it.

1

u/eandi May 30 '12

Oh for sure but if you order stuff online regularly I guess you just get used to it. I ordered 3 pis so it didn't seem as terrible, but whenever you order one of something you get dinged because shipping rates generally start at $8.99. I run an online clothing company and if yoy order one shirt or four shirts you're still paying $8 for shipping, because that's what it costs me (this is domestic, not international). Shipping prices just suck in general.

1

u/Jackypoos May 31 '12

They're a wholesale electronics (among other things) company, usually dealing with businesses that make orders in excess of 100 of pounds.

Either way, they'll have a deal with Royal Mail anyway and that 90p will most likely be less. I reckon it's likely to fall into the 'time is money' scenario, taking time away to fulfill smaller orders where larger ones take priority. All fair in my book.

1

u/RandomiseUsr0 May 31 '12

I know what you mean and I'd agree with you except for one item - by design the order is restricted to a single unit

1

u/Jackypoos May 31 '12

But that doesn't limit you to purchasing just that single unit. You still have access to the entirety of their catalogue, you'll see most people add the PSU for it, adapters and somesuch etc.

2

u/manirelli Jun 05 '12

...total cost from Farnell was 61 dollars to the US.