August 29, 2016

Do Shipping Fees Influence Your Makeup Purchases?

free shipping makeup

Does free shipping influence your makeup purchases? I mean if you see some new makeup or beauty you really, really want but you have to pay for shipping do you decide not to buy it?

I get annoyed when I have to pay shipping for anything in all honesty. It doesn’t even have to be makeup just paying for shipping anything drives me bonkers. For example, I dislike shopping at Bath & Body Works because sales associates are so, terribly aggressive. But, shipping on their site sucks. They offer free shipping from time to time but it is rare. You have to pay for shipping on small orders, larger orders, and there’s not even a threshold to spend a certain amount for free shipping. Whether your order is $100 or $50 you’ll still have to pay anywhere from $5.99 to $8.99 for free shipping!

Grrrr!

I do it because it is better than heading into the store but I still find it irritating. It’s funny as I’ll pay $40 for a new lipstick but charge me for shipping and I suddenly become the frugal gourmet.

Ulta is another great offender when it comes to shipping. First off, they use Smart Post to ship everything which is slow as hell! Secondly, it always arrives in really bad shape. Sometimes the box is slightly open, most times they include no extra padding. It’s like thee cheapest shipping available yet they charge me for it.

Seriously?

If I’m going to pay for shipping at least use UPS or Fedex. Smart Post is simply handed off to my local post office which is awful with packages.

If I could buy all my makeup and beauty off Amazon using Prime Shipping I’d do just that.

What about you?

Do you mind paying for shipping?

Does it influence your makeup purchases at all?

Honestly, if I have to pay for shipping for something I really want I likely will but I won’t like it that’s for sure 🙂

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • michelle

    Shipping costs turn me off instantly. By the time I pay for my item, tax, and then shipping, I’ve usually gone over budget. I hate thresholds for free shipping too… I hate when I have to decide between paying $5.99+ for shipping, or spend an additional $10 (or $20, or whatever) to qualify for free shipping. I usually end up spending more money (if I spend $10, that’s only $4 more than if I pay for shipping), but end up with buyer’s remorse for again going over my budget. Why can’t everything be like Amazon Prime, or ShopRunner??

  • Jen R

    Yes! I really hate paying for shipping these days (Amazon has spoiled us all) and I particularly hate places that increase shipping costs based on the cost of your purchase – just makes no sense in this day and age.

    If Ulta had a Flash-like option, I would order so much more frequently from them! And yes, for BBW, I try to only order once or twice a year when they have a promotion, bc otherwise it’s outrageous.

    Even for buying clothes online, I always try to wait for a free shipping promo, unless there’s something I need ASAP.

    • Isabella Muse

      I agree! Amazon def is the reason I’m spoiled 😀 Flash for Ulta=AWESOME! I’d be on board with that!

  • Ally

    Yes, it affects my decision! I’m not going to pay $8.95 or whatever for a $20 item.

  • Katie

    I will definitely cancel an order if the shipping costs are too much. I’m with you on Amazon Prime…I have even ordered toilet tissue and dogfood from them if I’m particularly busy with work!

    Ulta’s shipping can be expensive and it takes a couple of weeks to recieve the order, so I’ll wait until the item is in the store, or I’ll do without.

    • Isabella Muse

      Likewise! It’s just easier to get it from Amazon or Pantry for that matter. I have little dash buttons all over my house for this reason! Just push the button and amazon gets it to me in a day! I hate Ulta’s shipping with a passion!

  • diane

    My Ulta boxes always come crushed and destroyed too! I recently has an incident where a powder eyeshadow arrived broken THREE TIMES after they resent it out so by the third time I just requested a refund. I am right there with you though, I hate paying for shipping especially if it is something small. I don’t want to add on $6 o9r more for a lipstick! LOL

    • Isabella Muse

      LIKEWISE! I’ve been lucky as nothing was gone from the box but sometimes they appear to have been opened and gone through! likewise, I ordered NYX eyeshadow on a few occasions and four times it was broken. I didn’t even bother complaining because it was cheap. But still!

      • diane

        i would have still complained cheap or not because you still spend your money on it! since May actually 4 different powder products arrived to me broken and they were delivered usps, ups, fedex and smart post it’s crazy!! at least the other 3 reships arrived okay.

        • Isabella Muse

          True! I returned something recently via mail and they never credited me, I called and they said they had to send it upstairs or something, actually I have to call them again and tell them!

  • yelena

    shipping is definitely a deal breaker for makeup. unless it’s something I really really want I will just wait to buy in store or wait for free shipping, or wait for a coupon code for a percent off that is the equivalent of shipping fees.
    now flash a big free shipping sign in front of me and that is DANGEROUS!
    and if it’s free shipping both ways, It’s definitely happening lol.

    this happened to me recently on a non makeup related website. I have heard great things about modcloth and finally took the plunge. well I had to pay shipping going and for returns – forget about it. super slow. it took almost 3 WEEKS for them to get my return and more time for refunding to my bank account. not sure I will be purchasing again from this site unfortunately. I just don’t have that kind of patience.

    • Jennifer

      Modcloth used to be great. But then they made their shipping threshold $75 instead of $50. And you are right, the shipping is slower than ever. I used to receive my items in a week. Now it takes forever. Returns and credit are worse as well. I used to spend tons on that site as they have the best vintage inspired dresses. Now, I barely even look at the website.

  • Justin

    I detest paying for shipping. I will order enough to get to a threshold where it’s free or shop sites where there’s never charge for shipping. I only downfall is if I order something through work for myself you have to pay shipping there’s no way around it

  • Robin

    Yes! I will wait to have an order that qualifies for free shipping or a coupon for free shipping. I’ve been okay with Ulta, but Elf has sent me stuff shattered and a mess. It was the only time and the last time I ordered from them.

    Amazon Prime is heaven.

  • Tracy

    The biggest reason why I push myself to qualify for Sephora Rouge every year is to get their free shipping on any order. Shipping fees have definitely stopped me from ordering anything, including makeup. I might only pay for shipping if I cannot find the item in my country and have to order international. And what’s up with Ulta not shipping outside US ? It’s one of the very few companies who do not ship to Canada. That’s just bad business decisions. (haha I’m pissed)

  • Dena Mcclure

    I hate sites that toute their lower than retail prices, but when I go to checkout the shipping is waaaay higher than retail prices. It is at that moment I hit the delete button on my order. I agree with all about Ulta”s very poor packaging for shipping. Bubble wrap is cheap I tell them, but having to reship my stuff to me is not and I will continue to make them ship it to me until it is unbroken and in pristine shape. Each time I have to have them do it, I remind them how much this is costing them and good packaging is relatively in expensive. Can I fix a broken eye shadow or blush?? Yes, but that is not the point—I should get my stuff unbroken and packaged well—I spend enough there. Sorry, I will now step down from my soap box.

  • EliCaroline

    This is why I rarely order from Ulta. The shipping takes forever. I hate paying shipping fees.
    If Ulta offered free shipping to their card holders or had paid “flash” option, I’d be all over it.

    *I’ve never had an issue with items from Ulta showing up damaged, but if I did that would probably put me over the edge – paying for shipping, slow ship time, then damaged product. Wow!

  • Jay

    YES I’m so spoiled! Even 2 business day shipping on Amazon is disappointing because some items are free same day lol. And if I do pay $5.99 shipping I expect it to come quickly. Although, I did order from CoverFX recently because they had a 20% promo code, and after adding shipping I still saved like 2 bucks lol. So it was worth it.

  • kare

    Shipping costs influence me to spend more money to meet the shipping threshold. Also, I’m more likely to shop where I can get free shipping (like Nordstrom). I also have purchased more things from Target because the shipping threshold is lower, and they’ve started offering a wider range of products (essence, NYX, etc).

  • Kimmwc03

    Ulta really needs to do a shipping option like Sephora’s Flash program. Sometimes I buy from Sephora instead of Ulta just due to the shipping costs.

  • Chris

    It definitely affects my buying decision. If its $3 or $4 shipping I will probably go with that but Ulta is just crazy at $8.99. I wont order unless prices are marked down or if they have something exclusive to Ulta.

  • TropicalChrome

    I had one makeup site where they had great prices, so I put together an order in the $20 range….and found out that shipping was going to cost me $10. Uh, no. I abandoned that shopping cart quickly.

    I always add in the shipping (and tax, if applicable) to the price on the website. I don’t care what they’ve priced the item at, I look at how much I’m going to be out of pocket. That’s why I still do a lot of shopping in person – I’m driving by the stores anyway, the prices are the same or better than online, and even with our ridiculous sales tax, it’s lower than shipping 95% of the time!

    And let’s not talk about “yeah, I paid for shipping, which as far as I could tell was having a slightly trained zoo animal throw it into a box”. Urban Decay palettes are very pigmented. When broken and crushed and the palette lid opens, this equates to an unholy mess the likes of which I hope never to see again.

  • Ashley

    Shipping is just another way to make profit, considering how widely it varies from one online company to another. I really try to observe why and how much I’m paying for shipping from this company vs that, and then I make the decision who to order from, also considering any sales. It’s ridiculous sometimes. The other day, I really wanted to order the new trio of liquid lippies from Kylie Jenner – I’m a little ashamed to admit it – but the $8.95 shipping fee on top of $87 for three lippies just brought it to a screeching halt. And I don’t get why hautelook even charges shipping fees. Nordstrom is free shipping but hautelook you pay shipping AND have to wait over a month for your items. I get the waiting period, but sometimes I just want one thing and not feel like I’m making up for the discount by paying for shipping.

  • Monica

    Yes, it impacts every online shopping decision. I almost ordered from Hautelook today but the $100 minimum for shipping put me off. They’re not that much cheaper most of the time so it’s not worth it.

    100% agree with Ulta comments, I buy less from them because of the slow shipping time and poor packing. Every order comes in the crappiest flimsy box with everything thrown in a jumble with very little care or cushion. 90% of my Ulta boxes arrive mushed. I’ve had things broken and bottles leak as well. None of that has ever happened to me with Sephora.

    Not that it’s on topic but the other thing that puts me off Ulta are the promotions which seem to have far less stock than Sephora’s. I get that sales and gifts are limited but Ulta’s are often so limited that there’s no chance to get them even if you’re online first thing in the morning and jump on it right away. It feels gimmicky- like the car lot that has only one car at the advertised price 🙂

  • Ayman

    I have never ever ordered stuff from the websites/ online just because of the high shipping cost. Sometimes when there is some product which I can’t get my hands on or it’s not available in stores and I really want to buy it from online but just because of the shipping costs I usually refrain myself from buying anything online.

  • Tammy

    I’ve never had any problem with packages that have been shipped from Ulta, so I’ve been lucky. There’s always plenty of packing stuff to keep my precious eyeshadow pallettes from being smashed or anything. Those shipping fees drive me crazy, though. I would order so much more if they had flash!!!!

  • Dee

    It’s a definite deal breaker for me. QVC shipping is the one that has me emptying my cart more often than not.

  • Dora

    Agree with everyone — spoiled by Amazon Prime, unlikely to shop unless I can get the fee waived (or buy enough to qualify for free shipping). Occasionally I might. Recently I wanted a fragrance from Pacifica that I could not find in stores (or anywhere else) so I did it, and will also do it for QVC — because they have the cheapest WEN prices (even including the shipping fees). It just feels wrong to pay for shipping.