Shipping Cost

I tend to order where i can get the best shipping price. Usually I shop at ACOT vs SB because of higher shipping on the same item. The price of supplies is so much higher. i have to save money in some way.

Shipping is insane and also horrible service. Currently one of my orders is being rerouted back to Miami, after leaving Miami and making it about halfway to MN. Tracking shows it got somewhere on the east coast and then sent back to Miami for some reason. I am so disgusted by the USPS-hearing stories about stuff being thrown around, my 12x12 paper being folded in half and stuffed in my mailbox, etc. And we are paying for this, it's not cheap.

Shipping prices 100% factor in where I shop.

Edited to add my paper was packaged very well, the delivery person really had to work to bend that stiff, heavy cardboard in half. 

I try to wait for free shipping or free shipping with a reasonable minimum. The reward program is also an incentive.

I usually shop at A Cherry On Top, because the free shipping or minimum requirement for free shipping is less. Plus they give points for the order, and points add up to money off. As well as I can search for cherries to increase my points.

I limit my shopping at scrapbook.com, because their shipping is higher priced and their "free shipping with a minimum purchase" is infrequent. As well as they usually has a much higher minimum purchase amount.
They don't have a reward program.....only a free gift with purchase. More often than not, I don't care for whatever the free gift is. 
They do have some brands that ACOT doesn't or will have a product in stock and ACOT is out of stock. 


I do like the merchandise from Pretty Little Studio, but the last time I ordered (about a year ago), my order didn't ship out until 21 or 22 (can't remember which) after I placed my order.  That is ridiculous!  None of items were a pre-order (which does delay the shipment).
ACOT and SB.com regular orders (non-pre order) usually ship out with in 1-3 business days, so I expect the same elsewhere.
The 21-22 day delay in shipping from Pretty Little Studio makes me not want to order from there. 

I have found I like the offset of pre ordering to help with shipping costs. But when I look back through the years, the increase hasn't been much to me. And for some orders it is cheaper than years past.

I placed a pre order with ACOT and with the 20% off, I saved 9.20 and shipping was 13.00 for priority. So with the saving shipping was less than $4.

I went back to an order in 2019 (Sept) with about the same type of order and shipping was $14, no pre order.

I also have an order 2 years ago for 3 Stickles and I paid $12 to ship those 3 items.

In 2017, I paid $11 for shipping for same type of order.

The orders were for papers, stickers, pad, embellishments.

My (lack of) spending over the last few years is primarily due to frustratation with the stereotypical feminine & floral domination of the industry (& the few exceptions often having an odd yellow-dominant color palette that is equally unusable for me). Then, it takes at least 6 months to accumulate enough products (that I actually like, want, & are still in stock) to justify shipping or qualify for free shipping...UGH!

I'm trying not to buy just to buy right now, but because I actually need something, and I've noticed that I am always in need of royal & dark blues, burgundy, & deep oranges.  I was on ACOT the other day and there were so many brights and pastels, and when I would find a navy, it often was heavily themed---lots of stars, a lot of Dad or little boy type prints.  Deep oranges often have fall themes, and burgundy fall or holiday.

I just need really versatile patterned papers in those colors--stripes, dots, a semi-solid print, so to speak, etc.

I did manage to find about a dozen blue papers to add to my cart, by my gosh, there are a lot less navy blue options than pink or yellow for sure!

Use code ACOTSHIP to receive free standard domestic shipping on any purchase of $69 or more, or to receive $5.99 flat rate domestic shipping with an order of any size. Required purchase amount does not include gift cards, Cherry Box subscriptions, taxes, or shipping costs, and is calculated after all product discounts and redeemed points have been applied. Maximum shipping discount is $20. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER PROMO CODES. Valid for a limited time only.

They run that every few months. In fact they were running it right before the National Scrapbook Day 20% off. Their regular shipping is really high partially because I’m in SoCal.