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I have realized that there is only one marketing gimick that works on me. But boy, oh boy, does it work. I am a sitting duck when it comes to free shipping.
In the olden days of catalogue shopping it was the shipping that always hung me up. I’d see something I wanted, fill out the order form, then get to that shipping and handling charge and balk. So I read a lot of catalogues and earmarked lots of products and almost never bought any of them.
Initially the same thing happened on the internet. Lots of browsing and little buying. Then sites like Amazon, who had run the numbers and realized how many shoppers like me were out there, started offering shipping deals. It has gotten to the point that around Christmas I refuse to buy unless the shipping is free. Some sites know this and send me emails saying I get a month of free shipping just in December. Amazon regularly gives me a “trial” prime membership at that time of year.
That is because I am in their databases as a sucker for free shipping. There is an asterisk next to my name. Offer free shipping and I buy. And buy. It is so easy when there is no shipping sticker shock to hold me back.
Recently the flash sale sites I subscribe to went down this path. First one did, then the other. In both cases if you buy something, after that for 30 days shipping is free.
Uh oh.
The trick is to never buy anything, see. Then this deal doesn’t kick in. But during the holidays I got an incredible bargain on a gift for DH, one worth the shipping charge, and I now have Rue La La boxes all over my house because all this great stuff got bought in January when SHIPPING WAS FREE!
Did I buy things I don’t want? Of course not. Did I buy things I do not need? You betcha. Did I buy things that I would not have bought if there had been shipping added? I am afraid so.
Oh, look! Nordstrom just sent me an email announcing a free shipping AND free return policy.
Double uh oh.
They have told each other about me. I am a free-shipoholic, and they will show no mercy.
What incites you to buy? Free shipping? Coupons? The promise of losing weight or perfect skin? Yummy clothing displays? If you are really self-disciplined or immune to marketing lures, you can tell us that too. I won’t hate you.
82 Comments on “Free Shipping Made Me Do It”
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Free shipping is such a curse, seriously it’s evil. I have been doing a little eBay shopping, actually getting started early on the present buying for this year as well as buying myself some belated presents for my birthday last month. Admittedly most of it’s coming from overseas but it’s sooo nice, especially since one of my purchases is a black fake fur edged cashmere pashmina.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 5:30 am.
Okay, I was just outbid on the pashmina with the fake fur but I found one at a heaps better price with . . . wait for it . . . free shipping *g* so now I am looking at king sized mink blankets for the bed and in particular for winter since Gamer Dude is a blanket hog (he and I wonder how we will fit on the bed with the three cats on a queen sized bed come winter time since my boy Acheron is a bed hog to end all bed hogs)
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:58 am.
It really is evil, I agree totally. Wow, your buys sound incredible. I did not even know mink blankets existed.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:50 am.
Oh they do, if you type in mink blanket on eBay a whole heap will show up. The cats and I love them because we go “Ooooh soft and fluffy!”
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:22 am.
Here, normally the shipping is free when you spend a certain amount (ranges from € 20 to € 80 depending on the site). If I order books, there is always free shipping. I buy more online since I started working so much and don’t have time to do shopping. I can browse in the hotel in the evening and don’t have to waste my rare free time on shopping. I like to shop normally, but not when I have so little free time.
Books I used to buy mainly online – I switched that now to a mix of airport and train station book stores which often have a good choice in english books and I still do online shopping as well. Other stuff I buy now more online.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 6:32 am.
Oh, yes, books are a trigger for me. But that is special. Books are good for you. Buying books can never be criticized!
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:52 am.
I have the most forceful selfrestraint when it comes to buying online: I don’t have spare money, the credit card is maxed and my hubby got burned once (bought but did not get delivery) so I am very careful.
It works pretty much like window shopping, as long as I can’t afford things, I see so much I would love to have (not taking into account that the house is full of stuff I don’t need and most of the time don’t use anyway). As soon as I have money in the pocket and have a look at things I’ve seen before and I was sure desired, I change my mind, find fault or just don’t want it anymore.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:01 am.
I was like that for years. That is why my weakness now is so distressing. My house really is strewn with those boxes.I need to rig my computer so I can’t even browse, I think.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:54 am.
I am also a sucker for free shipping. Combine that with a coupon, discount or free gift and I’m your girl.
I must say I recently bought a pair of boots that originally cost $120.00 for $20.00. I had to pay $10.00 for the shipping , which I did, and I am still thinking about that $10.00. 
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:01 am.
LOL, you have it bad. With a bargain like that I don’t think I would mind the shipping. I would always wonder if with a bit more time I could have scored the boots without it though.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:55 am.
If it’s shiny…
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:06 am.
. . .You buy it.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:56 am.
I am a total free shipping junkie as well. My real problem is when they have free shipping over $25 or $50. I end up buying something else to get to that magic number. Online is just too easy.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:28 am.
I think that should be against the law–that minimum. But I am seeing some sites get rid of it. Their data must tell them that too many bail out instead of adding to the cart.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:10 am.
Free shipping and sales. I’m a sucker for a good deal.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:35 am.
I get a little annoyed if I buy something that is not on sale. It is in my DNA to shop bargains.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:09 am.
I don’t like to shop in stores or on-line. I don’t like to try on clothes either. I will buy real books or DVDs from Amazon if I can’t find the book in Walmart. I will buy books for my Kindle. I will buy my grandchildren their gifts on Amazon. My dh bought the grandson’s a train last year. He will opt for the slow shipping for free if available. I would never buy clothes or shoes on-line since I wouldn’t know if they would fit. My grandmother and mom were the queens of shopping. They knew when the window displays were changed. Three times a week I was dragged to the store.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:50 am.
I had not shopped much in years until I found some online places I like. I go into our mall periodically and am surprsed at how many new stores are there, then learn they have been there 6 months.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:12 am.
Free shipping and coupons, oh my. My college son has a prime amazon account to order books for school. We all use his account for that free shipping. The cost of the prime was well worth the price when you are shipping calculus, physics and chemistry books that weigh a ton. During December we had amazon delivery everyday to our house. We are on first name basis with the fedex dude.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:03 am.
Amazon was the first to get me. It was with them that I first diagnosed my condition. My sister gave me a prime account, and it was a very dangerous gift. My son even uses it to buy some kinds of food.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:14 am.
There is a certain kind of tea I like to drink. It is best bought on their web site, in bulk. So, when they started offering free shipping, I forwarded those emails to DH because I had the insane idea that I wanted him to get it for me for Christmas. He got the right kind, and a French press cup and loose tea of the same variety. Now, they won’t quit emailing him, and their opt-out is complicated. So much for free shipping.
I’m still not buying stuff. I’m still trying to get rid of stuff. It goes in fits and starts. I haven’t cleaned out anything of significance in a few months, but I did locate all the big Christmas and Easter candles just in case we lose power in the latest huge storm….
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:22 am.
I know what you mean.We have a rule in our house—no purchases that keep shipping until you opt out. None.I don’t care what it is.I have been in your situation too often in the past, and refuse to buy that way again.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:16 am.
Just to be clear, they send him the emails of what is on sale that week. They do not send us product. However, he ordered as a guest and one has to log in to an account to deactivate the emails.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:53 pm.
The 1-click button on Mazon is dangerous for me. Plus free shipping.
Sigh.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:33 am.
Tell me about it! Free shipping plus secure credit card info storing is the devil’s work.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:18 am.
Amazon Prime is dangerous. Free 2-day shipping on anything you buy if it’s not third party. I also have other sites I shop where there’s free shipping and free returns. They’re so nice because they send emails to me every day just to keep me informed. Haha I must shop there a lot.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:46 am.
You get those emails too? I thought it was just me! And with Prime you HAVE to buy, to make the membership worth it, right?
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:19 am.
You had me at “free shipping”.
Actually, it’s already having my credit card on file that gets me. If I don’t have to get off the couch, walk the exhausting 10 feet to my handbag to get my credit card security code – coz well yeah , I long ago memorized my Amex account # – I’m buying. Click, click, click.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:47 am.
I refuse to memorize my cc number, for the reason you did. Of course, with all my purchases I am learning it from just repitition.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:20 am.
I did that too….I know my CC number by heart including the little 3 digit number on the back. Sometimes that scares me….
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:46 am.
Hello. My name is Julie and I am a free-shipping-aholic…
Amazon gets me with that every time. Free shipping with purchases over $25, so I pick and choose until I spend about 27.50 and get my free shipping.
I also love coupons. I actually bought a very pretty smokey topaz ring from HSN just because I had a 15% off coupon. I took the least expensive shipping, and still paid less than the normal price, but did I NEED it, no. But it was SHINY!!!
You just have to treat yourself everyonce in a while. 
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:04 am.
every once in a while…. apparenly I need more coffee because I can’t spell yet.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:05 am.
Oy….wish I could edit.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:05 am.
Welcome, Julie. We are here to help you
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:22 am.
Mostly sales and coupons.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:08 am.
I will always do a search for coupons before I use a new site to see if there are any outthere.Usually there are.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:24 am.
Who doesn’t like free shipping!? And yes it does help push me to buy that item I am on the fence about. Add a coupon and I am headed to the checkout button.
My problem is buying something from a picture. They will put dimension numbers, but I just can’t get a clear picture, like with a purse. So, I’ll see the Vera Bradley in the store and then watch for the deals on the website.
Love Paypal because all I have to do is remember my password. Somehow I feel a little more secure paying this way.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:23 am.
There is a site called The Find that will pull prices from all over the web if you know what you are looking for.Just sayin’. . .
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:25 am.
Nordstrom is the devil. They know me the instant I click on an ad. I never have to dig out the credit card because they keep all that info “For my convenience.” If I order and don’t like it, they send me a nice little prepaid, pre-adressed return envelope. How can I resist? I can get them to send it, try it on, and if I don’t like it, no problemo.
Of the dozens of items I have ordered from Nordstrom’s to try on, I think I have returned two.
The devil.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:24 am.
Nordstrom is making a really big push of their online business. I see their ads everywhere this month. And prominent in all of them is that free shipping and returns.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:17 pm.
I am terrible at online shopping….I never do it. I don’t plan that far ahead–I’m more of an instant gratification shopper. Unless it’s books. I LOVE buying e-books…it’s probably that instant gratification thing again.
Happy Thursday!
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:02 am.
If your cc is on record at the site, and shipping is free, that instant gratification plays a really big role.And with Amazon, the stuff comes in a couple of days.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:18 pm.
Yep. I am a sucker for that little “free shipping” sticker. Especially since I buy things like gadgets (especially kitchen gadgets! ooo baby!). I’m a sucker for books (still like good ole paper books) and things I cannot buy easily in the store online. Perfect skin? that lures me in too. I’ll buy creams and peels online, and I’ve rarely been disappointed. However, I never buy clothing online – or shoes – or jewelry for that matter. Those are things I have to try on myself and see the quality for myself.
Like Haley – I’m a sucker for E anything. Courses, ebooks, digital media – instant gratification and no waiting!
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:24 am.
I will buy costume jewelry online and have had some good luck. I would not buy expensive jewelry that way. So, what creams have you bought and liked?
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:22 pm.
I’m pretty good at only buying what I really need AND it has to be with free shipping. That’s why we usually buy through Amazon with a Prime membership. The good thing is three people can share the membership. Then, you get free shipping AND you get the product within 2-3 days. Not bad.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:34 am.
I love Amazon Prime, especially their Kindle Lending Library.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:17 pm.
I am one of the people on a prime membership. It makes going to stores almost obsolete.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:23 pm.
A slashing discount AND free shipping.
I’ll buy when the price is so low it can’t be believed. This is how I ended up with 6 pillow covers from Pottery Barn. 50% off the original (insanely expensive) price AND free shipping. It was a deal too good to refuse.
Last week I bought a carved wooden wall hanging I have NO use for, but it was slashed from $15 to .49 cents AND I got 10% off of that! I will keep this bargain until the day I die. Probably in the attic, but geez, how to turn away from that kind of deal?
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:34 am.
You should come visit me. We have a Talbots outlet here, the old fashioned kind where you can get 300 jackets for $15 if you hit it right. I buy for all my relatives, it is so cheap. You would love the bargains, unless you hate their clothes.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:26 pm.
I have signed up for sites that have amazing deals – even up to 90% off although they have shipping- but no matter what you order it is only $2, they also have flash sales in the evening with $0 shipping about once a week.
I love coupons, love deals, love freebies, but when I find something I want or I’m looking forward to — I save and splurge. And yet as I add all the shipping I have paid for I am sure I could have bought more or saved up and purchased that really big item that I procrastinate getting.
I try to be disciplined against the flashing signs of “sale” or the “promises” of 30lbs in 30 days — but the idea of losing weight without work, sign me up – brings back youthful skin and reduces lines and pores, sign me up (which is great if you shop with Sephora).
My hope this year is not to wait until December to have a closet of gifts ready to be sent and given… but there is too much throughout the year I like to give myself
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:41 am.
I love flash sales if they are good deals.I can’t wait for them to open so I can pounce, tho, which is all that saves me.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:27 pm.
My budget downfall is the after Thanksgiving 80% off w free shipping late season spring blooming bulb sales. I see those tulip photos and out comes the credit card.
It does make for a nice spring.
Really looking forward to the new book release next week.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:56 am.
Thanks, Amy. Oh, yeah, selling spring bulbs when winter is looming is brilliant marketing. I used to get those catalogues all winter long with yummy pictures.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:29 pm.
Oh yes! Free shipping gets me every time! I spent an outrageous amount of money on a bar-top roll around cooler for my brother and SIL because the shipping was FREE! And this thing was huge!
And I always wait until I have $25.00 worth of books I want to order from Amazon.
The Jane Austen Centre in Bath runs free shipping closer to Christmas and I wait until then to order copies of the magazine and other trinkets I want.
I keep notes about free shipping on my desk as they arrive. I think I plan my shopping rather like a general going to war!
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:01 pm.
OOOOOOOO, am going off to learn about the Jane Austen center and start my list. Um, are you in the UK? Is the free shipping only to there, or do we get it over here?
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:30 pm.
I WISH I was in the UK !!! I live in LA (Lower Alabama.) I get the Jane Austen Centre newsletter and it lets me know when they are running a free shipping to the US weekend or during the holidays it runs for a month or so. The newsletter keeps me up to date on those free shipping to the US offers!
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 1:27 am.
It depends on the item and the site. I need bras and JMS.com is having a one day sale today on the bra I like to wear.
If it’s used books I wait for a promo code usually every holiday at Thriftbooks.com
Have you noticed free shipping takes even longer than it used to? Or shipping period.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:10 pm.
Book shipping is taking longer if it is media mail.That goes last, and waits if the PO is too busy with ohter mail. So media mail for books can take from 2 days to 2 months. Otherwise I have not noticed a slowdown, although I did learn today that a letter send Saturday took until today to get delivered. But Mon was a holiday, so I figured it was that.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:33 pm.
I love free shipping and coupon codes for internet shopping. I always check retailmenot.com for coupon codes before I order something online. You save lots of money that way.
But coupons in the grocery store? I almost never use them because they don’t use coupons for the things that I buy at the grocery store most of the time. I know people who do use the coupons and I swear that they probably have enough toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, deodorant, etc, to get my hometown of 2.2k through a year or two!
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:17 pm.
I have the same problem with store coupons. They never seem to be for what I buy.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:34 pm.
Ohhh. I love free shipping as long as they’re not sneaky about it. I order from Bath and Body enough that I swear they know what I am going to get. Sure enough they want me to spend that extra $10.00 to get free shipping, yet it would only be $7.00 to ship. Sneaky!
On the other hand we have a small eBay business that any time we put something up free shipping it seems to fly out the door. Happy shopping, Madeline!
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:02 pm.
I agree that you have to be careful with the sneekiness.Sometimes the Amazon prime vendor is more $$ than one who is not prime,even with added shipping.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:36 pm.
Oh, I love free shipping, too. I actually joined Amazon Prime so it looks like I always have free shipping. *g* Though with the # of things I buy from Amazon, they’re totally losing $ on the Prime deal. Heh heh.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:47 pm.
I think I read that Prime does not pay for itself. It gets lots of people to buy lots of stuff at amazon, but amazon loses money on the actual program.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:37 pm.
I must admit, when it come to free shipping especially when I purchase books and music.. the temptation get me every time.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:49 pm.
Pushes me right off the fence that is for sure.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:38 pm.
Yep, love the free shipping. I have Amazon Prime too, for just that reason.
Same as you, I didn’t buy anything this Christmas unless the shipping was free. The other great thing about ordering off the ‘net is who doesn’t like getting packages in the mail?
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:35 pm.
In Dec it looks like my house is a warehouse,what with all the boxes stacking up.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:39 pm.
I love free shipping. I bought a bunch of Christmas gifts from Amazon and didn’t have to pay anything for shipping. I love Amazon.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:12 pm.
They sure have figured out how to make it easy!
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:40 pm.
Just got suckered in again….spend over $30 at Shutterfly and you can upgrade to 2 day shipping for normal shipping cost. My daughter, SIL and Munchkin Girl are moving to their new apartment over the weekend, and I bought some magnets for their refrigerator and some coasters…. Yep, I’m a sucker, but I know my daughter will love them.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:47 pm.
That was very self controlled of you, actually.I’ll bet there were bunches of other things you could have added to the cart.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:09 pm.
Free shipping is a definite carrot for this ole mule, but I think those days are over. Customer Service for one of those flash sales companies is jerking me around about a product they say was delivered but that I never received (even their own shipping notice STILL says the shipper is waiting to receive it!) It’s not like I go anywhere, people. If it had arrived, I’d have known. Methinks this particular incident is sufficient to affect a cure. Ain’t nothing quite like aversion therapy.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:48 pm.
Who was it? You can tell, or hint. That is the question—do you get any service when they give something away for free.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:11 pm.
I love free shipping. I have done the same thing ordered something then when you add shipping and taxes, I am like do I really need this.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 5:58 pm.
Even amazon now charges me taxes. It dims the allure a bit.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:12 pm.
I can’t deny that I like free shipping. But I wouldn’t buy something that I didn’t truly need if free shipping happened to be offered.
I’m with you, however, in that I seriously dislike surprise shipping costs. It turns me off of the purchase entirely. I once wanted to buy a puzzle for my mom from the States (I’m in Canada), and it would have cost me $25 for shipping alone! *gasp!* Couldn’t do it. I abandoned that purchase immediately.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 6:00 pm.
I hate it how many sites make you go through the whole ordering process before revealing the shipping.Like they think if you have invested the time you won’t bail out then.They don’t know me very well.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:13 pm.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s always at the last minute that they add it on to the price, and after you’ve put in your address, etc. They probably get a lot of people that way, but not me. I’m no fool.
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:24 am.
Free Shipping is my undoing every time. It’s just wicked.
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:40 am.
I’m a sucker for free shipping and for 25% or more off discounts. I had to unsubscribe from some of the Groupon/Eversave/LivingSocial deals becuase I found I was buying things I really did not need just because I thought it was a good price. If only I could return all my unneeded items, I would have a lot more money to spend on books!
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 12:37 pm.
Free shipping usually does it for me too!
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:48 pm.