Shipping Costs, Etc.

[NW Mailing List]

I am certain the BOD spends considerable time discussing this ongoing
shipping issue, and any resultant losses thereof. I have nothing but
admiration for the struggles they have faced and the ways in which they
have kept the society profitable these past many years.

This started out as a very practical and necessary discussion about "why is
the shipping cost on my recent book purchase so high?" When we heard the
answer, we forgot to acknowledge that we're all looking for ways, as
customers, to have cheaper shipping on the Commissary orders. Most of us,
if we don't get cheap or free shipping, will usually look for another
vendor to see if we can find a better offer.

I believe we should stop micro-managing the BOD on this shipping issue. To
compete for declining book sales in this tough online retail environment,
we need to be willing to take losses in shipping. Sellers on Ebay, Amazon,
Abebooks, et al, have routinely taken losses on shipping in order to get
the overall sales. As has been pointed out, we are not losing money
overall, we are making a good profit.

This list has perhaps been derailed by the notion that we should operate on
an actual 'cost basis' for every single aspect of the society's operation.
I personally don't believe that's going to be possible. It will be more
productive if we focus on prospective NEW revenue streams, and develop
marketing plans for several of the products currently in the pipleline.
This next generation of Millennials are looking for free stuff, digital
stuff that is cheap, or things they think they can't live without. They
want tattoos and Craft Beers, and they don't care much for trains or
historical artifacts. We have a tough row to hoe in gaining their interest,
but at least the BOD is talking about it now, and looking for ways to
compete and thrive in the decade ahead.

I want to express my gratitude for the overall valiant effort that the BOD,
and key volunteer Bob Bowers, have put into running a profitable Commissary
for so many years running. I acknowledge that recent changes in shipping
costs, and market pressures from a new generation of buyers, has made these
decisions very difficult to make over the past five years.

 - Stephen Warren (Roanoke)
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