Shipping in the arithmetic
Short answer: Shipping is spread across the whole order. A large order makes it almost invisible per item, while a small order makes it a significant part of the price. So it pays to work out the whole basket and not just the price of a single garment.
How to count shipping in
Add the shipping to the price of the items and divide by the number of items. That shows what each item really costs once it arrives at your door. A single pair of socks with shipping on top can cost double the item itself, while shipping on ten pairs becomes a small part of the price per pair.
Why small orders feel expensive
Shipping is roughly the same whether the parcel holds one item or several. That is why it hits small orders hardest. You pay to transport a parcel, not each item, and the parcel has to be packed, sent and delivered whether it is large or small. That is the simple reason small purchases often feel expensive.
Why it pays to combine orders
Buy what you need in a single order instead of ordering three times in a month. Then all the items share the same shipping, and you save both money and waiting time. Take a quick look through the drawer, write a list and order everything at once. Also check the current offers before you fill the basket.
The free shipping limit
Many shops have a limit above which shipping falls away. If you are just under it, an extra pair of socks can be cheaper than the shipping. Do the sum before you add something to the basket only to reach the limit. Filling the basket only makes sense if it is something you actually need.
Pickup point or home delivery
As a rule a pickup point is cheaper than delivery to your door, but it depends on the shop. Check the prices in the basket before you choose, and think about what suits your week. If you are home anyway, delivery is easy, while a pickup point suits you if you are rarely home in the daytime.
Basics that can be combined
Basics you use every week are obvious candidates for a single order. Bamboo inner shorts and socks wear out and need replacing from time to time, so you can put them in the same basket when you order anyway. That way several items share one shipping cost, and you avoid ordering twice in the same month.
Bigger items in the same parcel
A bigger garment such as a hoodie takes up more room in the parcel, but whether shipping costs more depends on the shop's terms. Check it in the basket before you decide. If you are considering a hoodie, it can pay to put it in the same order as the small things you need anyway. See bamboo hoodie for men.
Shipping and returns
Think about shipping if something has to go back too. Whether a return costs shipping depends on the shop's terms, so read them before you order. If you are unsure about size, checking the size chart carefully can be cheaper than sending the item back, and it saves you the trouble of repacking.
How to make the decision
Do it in three steps: put the items in the basket, look at the shipping and divide by the number of items. If shipping is a large part of the price per item, wait and gather more items into one order. If it is small, order straight away. It is a simple rule that is easy to use every time.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pickup point cheaper than home delivery?
As a rule yes, but it depends on the shop. Check the prices in the basket before you choose, and consider what is easiest in your week when the parcel has to be collected or received.
Should you buy something extra to reach free shipping?
Only if you truly need it. Otherwise it is not a saving, because you pay for something you will not use, and it just sits in the drawer.
Does a return cost shipping?
It depends on the shop's terms, and some shops let the customer pay return shipping. Read the terms before you order, so you know what it costs if an item has to go back.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
