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"Free" upgrade

compuwar

compuwar

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 5, 2006
4,717
2
Northern/Central VA
So, $9.95 for a "free" upgrade with "free shipping" and $9.95 for "Shipping and Handling"- seems like a lot for handling to me (I got a Mac Pro that qualifies for the "bought since Jun 8th upgrade."

If you're giving me free shipping, shouldn't that fee be just for handling? If you're charging me 10 bucks for handling (and not for media or anything else) shouldn't that be fondling or something- seems pretty high for what should be an automated address it, box it and ship it process.

Paul
 
The problem with "free" things is that people will order a bunch just because. Even if you say one per address people will still try to work around the system. Putting a somewhat trivial monetary charge on them covers the cost of the media, the shipping box, the companies time taken to prepare and ship (even if it's a robot). It basically is just a preventative measure due to the society we live in...
 
SilentPanda said:
The problem with "free" things is that people will order a bunch just because. Even if you say one per address people will still try to work around the system. Putting a somewhat trivial monetary charge on them covers the cost of the media, the shipping box, the companies time taken to prepare and ship (even if it's a robot). It basically is just a preventative measure due to the society we live in...
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In this case though, you're limited to one per system purchased in the qualifying time period, so I'm not sure that applies.

I'm also not sure that calling it "shipping and handling" and then adding "free shipping" won't open them up to a class-action suit.

Paul
 
It is handling, considering it is a buck to drop an oversized envelope at the USPS these day, $9.95 for processing at a company using "donkey express" or "oops" isn't too bad.
 
Sun Baked said:
It is handling, considering it is a buck to drop an oversized envelope at the USPS these day, $9.95 for processing at a company using "donkey express" or "oops" isn't too bad.
Click to expand...

It is when you tell me that shipping is free and it's ~30% of the cost of the product. Surely Apple's software margins aren't that bad compared to the rest of the industry?

Paul
 
Like most companies, people will set their minimum shipping and handling above their average shipping cost ...

Most aren't going to lower it for something like a 5 cent washer they drop in an envelope that may actually cost 50 cents to ship.
 
Sun Baked said:
Like most companies, people will set their minimum shipping and handling above their average shipping cost ...

Most aren't going to lower it for something like a 5 cent washer they drop in an envelope that may actually cost 50 cents to ship.
Click to expand...

Yes, but if you tell me shipping is free, then (a) you shouldn't tell me the charge is for shipping and handling and (b) handling shouldn't be 30% of the cost of the item.
 
compuwar said:
Yes, but if you tell me shipping is free, then (a) you shouldn't tell me the charge is for shipping and handling and (b) handling shouldn't be 30% of the cost of the item.
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They tell you shipping is free so that you don't think that there is an additional cost beyond that of $9.95. Would you rather they list it as "Free" only to have a $9.95 shipping charge tacked on when you go to buy it?

Either complain and don't buy it, or accept the charge, understanding that it cost money to make and ship, and enjoy it
 
kryptonianjorel said:
They tell you shipping is free so that you don't think that there is an additional cost beyond that of $9.95. Would you rather they list it as "Free" only to have a $9.95 shipping charge tacked on when you go to buy it?

Either complain and don't buy it, or accept the charge, understanding that it cost money to make and ship, and enjoy it
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I'd rather they didn't tell me shipping was free and they were charging me for it- it's inconsistent. I've ordered it despite the fact that I could simply use a dev copy, but the inconsistency is bad and the costs aren't shipping and handling, they're upgrade costs- the store software just isn't good enough to handle the product. That's a flaw and the inconsistent wording is the kind of stuff that draws Apple into lawsuits, they should fix it.

Paul
 
compuwar said:
I'd rather they didn't tell me shipping was free and they were charging me for it- it's inconsistent. I've ordered it despite the fact that I could simply use a dev copy, but the inconsistency is bad and the costs aren't shipping and handling, they're upgrade costs- the store software just isn't good enough to handle the product. That's a flaw and the inconsistent wording is the kind of stuff that draws Apple into lawsuits, they should fix it.

Paul
Click to expand...

Yes, the costs ARE shipping and handling, along with the $1 or so it cost to press the disc and package it. It's a universal price, so no matter where you live (in the US) its $9.95. If it was "Free" with a shipping calculator, the price wouldn't be even for everyone.

Complain about it all you like, but I think everyone would agree that your points are moot
 
Upgrade

Well at least this "free" upgrade is half of the price of my $19.95 "free" upgrade that I got for my 10.2.x to 10.3 Panther upgrade.
 
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