Shipping Costs, Etc.

[NW Mailing List]

I'm a millennial and personally I'd rather get something from the Commissary instead of a different vendor.

-Evan Miller 

> On Nov 4, 2015, at 8:59 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> I am certain the BOD spends considerable time discussing this ongoing shipping issue, and any resultant losses thereof. I have nothing but admiration for the struggles they have faced and the ways in which they have kept the society profitable these past many years.
> 
> This started out as a very practical and necessary discussion about "why is the shipping cost on my recent book purchase so high?" When we heard the answer, we forgot to acknowledge that we're all looking for ways, as customers, to have cheaper shipping on the Commissary orders. Most of us, if we don't get cheap or free shipping, will usually look for another vendor to see if we can find a better offer. 
> 
> I believe we should stop micro-managing the BOD on this shipping issue. To compete for declining book sales in this tough online retail environment, we need to be willing to take losses in shipping. Sellers on Ebay, Amazon, Abebooks, et al, have routinely taken losses on shipping in order to get the overall sales. As has been pointed out, we are not losing money overall, we are making a good profit. 
> 
> This list has perhaps been derailed by the notion that we should operate on an actual 'cost basis' for every single aspect of the society's operation. I personally don't believe that's going to be possible. It will be more productive if we focus on prospective NEW revenue streams, and develop marketing plans for several of the products currently in the pipleline. This next generation of Millennials are looking for free stuff, digital stuff that is cheap, or things they think they can't live without. They want tattoos and Craft Beers, and they don't care much for trains or historical artifacts. We have a tough row to hoe in gaining their interest, but at least the BOD is talking about it now, and looking for ways to compete and thrive in the decade ahead. 
> 
> I want to express my gratitude for the overall valiant effort that the BOD, and key volunteer Bob Bowers, have put into running a profitable Commissary for so many years running. I acknowledge that recent changes in shipping costs, and market pressures from a new generation of buyers, has made these decisions very difficult to make over the past five years.
> 
>  - Stephen Warren (Roanoke)
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