Herbert Graf wrote:
> Their s/h price was insane (something like $40
> for regular postal mail), but even with the insane s/h price the
> total price was still substantially cheaper then the local price, so
> I went with them.
>
> When I received the package it had a post mark price of $12, and it
> was clear the postage label was printed in house, so at most it took
> them probably 5 minutes to package it, and then it was put in a
> truck. So, I ended up paying $28 for a box and 5 minutes of a
> person's time, THAT is a rip off.

No, it's not.  You knew exactly what you were paying for what you got.  As
you said, the total price was still "substantially cheaper" than your other
options.  How they arrived at that price and what part of it went to pay for
shipping is irrelevant when comparing it to other options.  Since you knew
the whole price before you bought, and you received what you paid for you've
got nothing to complain about.  If you really thought it was a ripoff you
shouldn't have bought it and it's only your fault if you're not happy with
the deal.

Put another way, the merchant's costs are none of your business and there is
no reason for you to care as long as you know the total price.  I agree the
total price should be available, and I won't commit to buying something
without knowing it either, but beyond that I don't care what the merchant's
cost breakdown and profit margin is.

> Well, when you have no other choice but online due to price,

But you do have a choice, just that you're not willing to pay for it.  So
you're complaining a lot one way, but in the end you voted with your dollars
the other way.

> and all the online vendors you've found act the same way, what else
> can you do?

Not buy it online, obviously, if you really feel that strongly about it.  Of
course you've already shown you don't, so all your complaining is sounding
more and more like a lot of pointless hot air.

> I guess this is an issue that only bugs me, which is why online
> retailers on the whole are STILL doing things the way they are doing
> them.

It's a supply and demand world, get over it.  If you really want to see a
change you have to stop buying from places that don't do what you like, and
get a few million of your closest friends to do the same.


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