Comments on: Free Shipping, Why So? http://blog.lebooks.in/2009/12/free-shipping-why-so/ LeBooks.in - the official blog Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:39:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rajat http://blog.lebooks.in/2009/12/free-shipping-why-so/comment-page-1/#comment-136 Rajat Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:55:35 +0000 http://blog.lebooks.in/?p=265#comment-136 Hi, Thanks for your post. I think I know which other online bookstore you are referring to. It is possible that some of their books have better prices but I can assure you that it is not true across titles. If you go deeper beyond the homepage, you'll realize that our prices are as competetive if not better. So, if you are sensitive about prices, I'd suggest you check both these sites before your every purchase :) At this point, I'll like to tell you a bit more about our store. Though we give discounts and price our books competitively, we do not think it should be the only reason for you to come to us. We are book lovers and understand what all a book lover seeks in a service like ours. So, we do small small things to make your experience a memorable one. We include a beautifully designed, high utility bookmark in every packet. We also pack the books with extreme care using bubble wrap and cardboard box. We keep you updated on the exact status of your order. Also, we now offer gift-wrap option for those who wish to send books to their loved ones. And many more features are in the pipeline. All said, I can only say that we make that extra effort to make your book buying experience a pleasurable one. We would really like you to try out our service and for that we'll extend you a special offer. Next time you want to buy a book and find it cheaper anywhere else, let us know and we'll match the price. But we really want you to try us out. Look forward to having you as a customer soon :) Thanks, Rajat Hi,

Thanks for your post.

I think I know which other online bookstore you are referring to. It is possible that some of their books have better prices but I can assure you that it is not true across titles. If you go deeper beyond the homepage, you’ll realize that our prices are as competetive if not better. So, if you are sensitive about prices, I’d suggest you check both these sites before your every purchase :)

At this point, I’ll like to tell you a bit more about our store. Though we give discounts and price our books competitively, we do not think it should be the only reason for you to come to us. We are book lovers and understand what all a book lover seeks in a service like ours. So, we do small small things to make your experience a memorable one. We include a beautifully designed, high utility bookmark in every packet. We also pack the books with extreme care using bubble wrap and cardboard box. We keep you updated on the exact status of your order. Also, we now offer gift-wrap option for those who wish to send books to their loved ones. And many more features are in the pipeline. All said, I can only say that we make that extra effort to make your book buying experience a pleasurable one.

We would really like you to try out our service and for that we’ll extend you a special offer. Next time you want to buy a book and find it cheaper anywhere else, let us know and we’ll match the price. But we really want you to try us out.

Look forward to having you as a customer soon :)

Thanks,
Rajat

]]> By: Jam http://blog.lebooks.in/2009/12/free-shipping-why-so/comment-page-1/#comment-135 Jam Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:29:44 +0000 http://blog.lebooks.in/?p=265#comment-135 There is another India based online bookstore who offers free shipping if the total order is greater than rs.100. why rs.150 for lebooks? btw, i've placed order and got it delivered for free from the said website recently. also, when i compared some of the book rates, it seems like they are giving better discount than yours! is there any reason for the difference in the prices? There is another India based online bookstore who offers free shipping if the total order is greater than rs.100. why rs.150 for lebooks? btw, i’ve placed order and got it delivered for free from the said website recently. also, when i compared some of the book rates, it seems like they are giving better discount than yours! is there any reason for the difference in the prices?

]]> By: Naresh http://blog.lebooks.in/2009/12/free-shipping-why-so/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Naresh Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:21:10 +0000 http://blog.lebooks.in/?p=265#comment-79 Maybe they are unknowingly stifling an opportunity at a bigger market by these myopic measures Maybe they are unknowingly stifling an opportunity at a bigger market by these myopic measures

]]> By: Vikas http://blog.lebooks.in/2009/12/free-shipping-why-so/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Vikas Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:24:01 +0000 http://blog.lebooks.in/?p=265#comment-76 Easy money. They are multiplexes catering to elite audience who don't want to stand in queues. Further they have enough demand and know that even if tickets are not booked online, they will sell through the box office. Being in e-commerce ourselves I can't fathom any other reason for charging Rs. 10 per ticket. It is more than enough to cover any extraneous expenses they incur when selling online compared to selling offline. Easy money. They are multiplexes catering to elite audience who don’t want to stand in queues. Further they have enough demand and know that even if tickets are not booked online, they will sell through the box office. Being in e-commerce ourselves I can’t fathom any other reason for charging Rs. 10 per ticket. It is more than enough to cover any extraneous expenses they incur when selling online compared to selling offline.

]]> By: Naresh http://blog.lebooks.in/2009/12/free-shipping-why-so/comment-page-1/#comment-74 Naresh Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:07:09 +0000 http://blog.lebooks.in/?p=265#comment-74 <a href="#comment-71" rel="nofollow">@Vikas </a> Interesting survey Vikas... It baffles me as to why they choose to levy these extra charges! @Vikas

Interesting survey Vikas…

It baffles me as to why they choose to levy these extra charges!

]]> By: Vikas http://blog.lebooks.in/2009/12/free-shipping-why-so/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Vikas Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:38:52 +0000 http://blog.lebooks.in/?p=265#comment-71 <a href="#comment-68" rel="nofollow">@Naresh </a> Naresh, we don't like paying convenience charges for tickets online a) because we are paying extra :D and b) more so because there is no real cost involved for the multiplex. In this age for them showing availability online is a necessary marketing tool, and they are just combining ordering facility with that. It helps reduce their labor costs at the box office that might have been required for better queue management. This also generates advance working capital along with helping them schedule a movie. I had actually done a project in MicroEco on PVR Cinemas. The interesting observation was whenever the number of bookings reduced to 20% of the seating capacity by Tue-Wed, they reduced the seats to regain 90% occupancy until the movie is eventually taken off! @Naresh
Naresh, we don’t like paying convenience charges for tickets online a) because we are paying extra :D and b) more so because there is no real cost involved for the multiplex.
In this age for them showing availability online is a necessary marketing tool, and they are just combining ordering facility with that. It helps reduce their labor costs at the box office that might have been required for better queue management. This also generates advance working capital along with helping them schedule a movie. I had actually done a project in MicroEco on PVR Cinemas. The interesting observation was whenever the number of bookings reduced to 20% of the seating capacity by Tue-Wed, they reduced the seats to regain 90% occupancy until the movie is eventually taken off!

]]> By: Naresh http://blog.lebooks.in/2009/12/free-shipping-why-so/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Naresh Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:03:42 +0000 http://blog.lebooks.in/?p=265#comment-68 Well Said! Free shipping is one of those subconscious baits in the minds of consumers. Maybe it tells him that he's saving the cost of a trip to the local book store. Maybe it tells him that the cost of shipping for small enough to be borne by a retailer. Whatever the reasons may be, It's a turn off to be charged for shipping. Interestingly, I've noticed that customers may not buy movie tickets online for similar reasons. When purchasing tickets online for fewer people, the marginal additional cost of getting those tickets rises to a prohibitive number (This may not be the case on weekends when the premium is well worth standing in the queue). I'm at odds to understand why the websites don't reduce (if not repeal altogether) the extra "convenience" charges associated with tickets online. Well Said!

Free shipping is one of those subconscious baits in the minds of consumers. Maybe it tells him that he’s saving the cost of a trip to the local book store. Maybe it tells him that the cost of shipping for small enough to be borne by a retailer. Whatever the reasons may be, It’s a turn off to be charged for shipping.

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that customers may not buy movie tickets online for similar reasons. When purchasing tickets online for fewer people, the marginal additional cost of getting those tickets rises to a prohibitive number (This may not be the case on weekends when the premium is well worth standing in the queue). I’m at odds to understand why the websites don’t reduce (if not repeal altogether) the extra “convenience” charges associated with tickets online.

]]>