Can we be charged a shipping fee if we're picking them up?

I had my envelopes printed by a man (Bill at Inkspun) who runs his own business, and advertises on local wedding websites. He has a $6 SHIPPING fee listed on his website. We are driving to pick our envelopes up.

Now he says it is 'a shipping/handling/set up fee...call it what you will'. I know it's only $6, but should we have to pay it? Based on the principle of it it really upsets me.

This is after he got annoyed with me when I asked for a final proof after we faxed him several changes to our 85 addresses. He was curt and told me that a final proof 'just isn't done'. I've worked with plenty of printers professionally, and in planning this wedding, and they all sent proofs to be signed off on. I even said ok though, and now he's doing this!

Do you know if he had them printed through his shop himself, or were they ordered through an outside thermographer (i.e. invitation company-Carlson Craft). Most of the products that I order through outside companies have shipping fees involved, however, if I printed it myself, I would not charge a customer for a shipping fee if they were going to come to my shop to pick them up even if it was ordered through my website.

That's is how I would handle it-Good luck!

Cathy
Sweet Nut Hut
Invitations & Favors

Hi Julybride444,

I can see charging a 'shipping' fee but if you pick them up then this should be waived. If it is a 'shipping/handling/setup fee' (which sounds a little strange) then he should have stated this up front in those exact words.

For $6 is it worth making a bride unhappy
I don't think so

I would say 'Penny wise pound foolish'

Kathy
Follow Your Heart

Hi,

I don't understand the logic of charging you something that was not done............shipping charges????

Over $6.00 this man is being very foolish!
You should ask him if he is going to reimburse you for your time and travel expense (gas, etc.)

Then.......I want to see a proof!
So that means that if you are not happy with the product you can return them??
Since you were not able to sign off on an approval?!?! right?!?!

I know what I am stating above is way out of the ordinary, but I'm sure you get what I mean!

Good business habits are very important!
It seems that this gentleman needs to forget about the $6.00 and give you a complimentary gift!

But all kidding and sarcasim aside.........you have every right to be upset.

Good Luck!
Marie

Hi July Bride,

One of the invitation companies I work with used to charge a $5.00 handling fee which in some cases was as much - or more -as the actual shipping cost and I didn't even know it until a year after I'd been paying it. Regarding proofs, in the invitation business it's common to charge for proofs of the invitation and enclosures but I never handled proofs on the envelopes.

Personally, I've only heard good things about Inkspun from my customers who ordered invitations through me but used them for the envelopes because they were so inexpensive.

For comparison we charge $1.25 per set (inner and outer, black ink) for computerized calligraphy, $2.25 for hand calligraphy (black or color). Maybe the $6.00 set up fee was offset by a low per piece price ?...I know that may not make up for way it was presented but maybe in retrospect if Inkspun knew (and they will know since they are a vendor on this site) how upset you were and still are they might welcome the chance to make it up to you in some way or say or do something that will make you feel better about the handling of your order. I know if one of my customers was upset I would want to make things right. Then everybody comes out ahead...

Good luck and I hope your planning over the next couple of months goes smoothly in every way.

Sincerely,
Gail Caparelli
Simply Elegant