Integration

Tiberius · 08-01-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

While I fully understand your frustration, companies are free to charge what they like when it comes to shipping and handling. But it's that second part that most people seem to gloss over: the handling. Handling could cover everything from locating the item in the stockroom, wrapping/boxing the item up, the materials used for packing (box, bubble wrap/paper, invoices, labeling, etc), to the salaries for all the personnel involved with completing that task. And that's before it even leaves the company's front door.

Some companies can get really shady with the types of things that they lump into that "handling" part while others are very reasonable. As for the discrepancy with shipping prices on Ebay, I think it really depends on what company they use for shipping and how the package is labeled. And that's not even counting those who use flat rate shipping costs.

Once again, Hasbro does NOT control retail distribution - even in Canada. If you want to blame someone, blame the retailers for A) not buying the product, or B) not stocking the shelves with said product. At best, regional Hasbro reps can ask local store managers about toy lines or displays. But they can't force the manager to stock a particular product any more than we can.

As for a solution to ridiculous shiping/handling prices, be patient, be knowledgable and be willing to look elsewhere. It's only price gouging if you're forced to pay that amount.

I half disagree. My friend knows the Hasbro rep quite well for my area and even had a quick bite to eat with her. The main question during lunch was distribution, and as you say, its the retailers fault? A bit, yes, but it is also Hasbros. Hasbro will NOT ship to any warehouses unless it is successful in the USA. If retailers don't order the product and they get no numbers for sales, it just won't happen in Canada [and other places]. If the line isn't successful enough in a country with 10 times as many people as Canada, they won't waste resources making the legal packaging for Canadian shelves.

So after that rant, it is as much Hasbros fault as it is the retailers.

08-01-2011, 07:30 PM	#11
Tiberius Be Superior Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 9,891	Quote: Originally Posted by trebleshot While I fully understand your frustration, companies are free to charge what they like when it comes to shipping and handling. But it's that second part that most people seem to gloss over: the handling. Handling could cover everything from locating the item in the stockroom, wrapping/boxing the item up, the materials used for packing (box, bubble wrap/paper, invoices, labeling, etc), to the salaries for all the personnel involved with completing that task. And that's before it even leaves the company's front door. Some companies can get really shady with the types of things that they lump into that "handling" part while others are very reasonable. As for the discrepancy with shipping prices on Ebay, I think it really depends on what company they use for shipping and how the package is labeled. And that's not even counting those who use flat rate shipping costs. Once again, Hasbro does NOT control retail distribution - even in Canada. If you want to blame someone, blame the retailers for A) not buying the product, or B) not stocking the shelves with said product. At best, regional Hasbro reps can ask local store managers about toy lines or displays. But they can't force the manager to stock a particular product any more than we can. As for a solution to ridiculous shiping/handling prices, be patient, be knowledgable and be willing to look elsewhere. It's only price gouging if you're forced to pay that amount. I half disagree. My friend knows the Hasbro rep quite well for my area and even had a quick bite to eat with her. The main question during lunch was distribution, and as you say, its the retailers fault? A bit, yes, but it is also Hasbros. Hasbro will NOT ship to any warehouses unless it is successful in the USA. If retailers don't order the product and they get no numbers for sales, it just won't happen in Canada [and other places]. If the line isn't successful enough in a country with 10 times as many people as Canada, they won't waste resources making the legal packaging for Canadian shelves. So after that rant, it is as much Hasbros fault as it is the retailers. __________________