I recently spent the better part of an afternoon preparing a package for mailing to a customer. As I was wrestling with box and bubble wrap trying to lose an ounce of box so I can send it first class instead of parcel post, I realize that it would be much easier to just suck it up and eat the two dollars. But, times are hard, and two dollars is two dollars, right? Two dollars is the reason I even offer first class shipping. I worry that I may lose customers if all I offer is priority; even though priority is usually easier on me. I have many customers that choose slower shipping, even when priority may only a couple bucks more. Now the pressure is on me to prepare a package for a possible 5-8 days in the mail instead of 2-3. Ever seen a box that has been knocked around for ten days? I have and it is scary. So hear I am, on a gorgeous day, spending all this time on a customers shipment when they chose the cheapest and slowest mailing option. My headache seems to be pounding the words: "stupid, stupid, stupid". If time is money, I am in the red today, for sure.

I appreciate every sale, and want every customer to be satisfied. I assume a customer expects me to spend an appropriate amount of time on their shipment whether they pay two dollars or ten dollars for shipping. On this particular day, that just doesn't seem right. Then again, on this particular day, I have spent more than an appropriate amount of time preparing a shipment. Days like this I understand why some sellers charge handling fees. I never have, and sometimes I wonder if I should. After all, time is money. But if a customer is unwilling to pay more for priority, why should I expect them to pay for handling. After all, times are tough and two dollars is two dollars. And, a sale is a sale, and I am glad to have it.

So, in the end, I decide to package it all nice and pretty and smile as I carry it to the mailbox. And, yes, I will eat the two dollars, because it is a beautiful day and somewhere out there is my next great find!

Written by Jennifer Schill

Sugar's Surprises on Ruby Lane