Although we are volume shippers, and receive the best discount rates available from the various vendors, the simple fact is that shipping charges have increased exponentially over the past years. In order to assist our customers in receiving the very best shipping rates, our programmers have spent substantial time and energy developing an estimating system that is robust and intelligent.
Our shipping information may seem a bit complicated at first, but please be assured that we make every effort to accurately estimate freight charges. These charges are costs based on weight and distance, and are the methods provided by FedEx, UPS and the US Postal Service for this use.
We have created custom options on our Shipping and Check Out that allow you to insure that you have the best rates available. Additionally, if the estimating program detects an order that requires human intervention, you will simply be asked to Submit for Shipping Review at check-out, for that portion of the order, so that the most cost-effective solution can be provided.
The secret to economical shipping is quite simple: The larger the order being shipped, the more cost-effective the per unit cost. We encourage you to co-op with your friends, family and neighbors when making orders. To this end, we have created a program with a shipping option called Co-Op Shipping which, in principal, is quite simple:
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Multiple orders, by separate persons, are shipped to one address.
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On our end, each persons order is packaged independently with unique packing slips.
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The multiple orders are then palletized and sent to the common shipping address by the best method.
Additionally, price discounts are applied based on the total - Per Product - volume of the combined order. For example:
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Neighbor A needs 15 by 3 Cubic Foot bags of Compost and other items
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Neighbor B needs 15 by 3 Cubic Foot bags of Compost and other items
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Neighbor C needs 15 by 3 Cubic Foot bags of Compost and other items
Each neighbor would then be charged at the pallet price (Quantity 40+ bags) and the shipping costs would be shared at LTL costs. This equates to approximately 18 - 20% in savings for the total combined order.
Some Restrictions Apply:
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Minimum order: $500
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Drop shipped items from our suppliers, bulk or custom mixes, and special orders are excluded from this program.
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Purchases made under the Landscape Pricing, Farmer Pricing, and Wholesale Pricing programs do not qualify either
As a rule of thumb, the shipping charges we assess for UPS or FedEx shipments simply amounts to whatever FedEx or USPS rates are plus a nominal markup - of (or on) the ground rate ship charges - that usually equates to 10 to 15% to account for necessary packaging and shipping materials.
A quick FYI example: A 68 lb. box shipped to Spokane Washingtonby UPS Ground would cost $37.39. A heavy duty box costs $3.40, and we use shredded newspaper (so that you can reycle that in your worm bins or compost pile) in recycled paper or plastic bags for packing material, a bit of tape, shipping label and a packing slip with envelope comes to a grand total of about $5.00. So doing some quick math, you can see that 15% of $37.39 would be $5.60. Not exactly making a killing on that, but we do need to cover those kinds of costs.
Below is a overview of the basic pricipals that we employ with regards to shipping. If you have any questions please give us a call or contact us by email.
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Description Links |
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Combinable Items |
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Non-Combinable Items |
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Drop Shipments |
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UPS or FedEx 1 Day or 2 Day Air. |
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UPS and FedEx Ground or FedEx Home Delivery |
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FedEx Ground Multi Weight |
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LTL and Commercial Carrier (truck) |
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Receiving Your Order |
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Our Shipping and Handling Fees for UPS and FedEx shipments |
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Co-Op Shipping Program |
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Shipping Review |
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HazMat Fees |
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A Business Address (defined)
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Combinable Items |
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Packaged weights are shown with each part number. Individual items weighing less than 40 lb are generally "combinable", i.e. they can be combined and shipped together in boxes weighing up to 68 lbs. (over 70 lbs, UPS and FedEx Ground rates are significantly more expensive). Items weighing over 40 lb are heavy and ship alone to avoid damage to other products. If your combinable items total is 68 lb or less, they will fit in a single box. If your combinable items total more than 68 lb, they will have to ship in more than one box. For example, if the total of your combinable items is 100 lb, the cost will be estimated for a 68 lb box and a 32 lb box. |
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Non-Combinable Items |
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Individual items that already come in their own packaging, or are too long or too big to be boxed up with other items, or that weigh over 40 lbs. are not combinable. The shipping cost is estimated for each non-combinable item individually, then added to the cost of your other boxes |
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Drop Shipments |
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Many Retailers and Web Stores drop ship merchandise from wholesalers and take measures to hide this fact to avoid any stigma, or to keep the wholesale source from being known. We consider this to be an unethical practice.
We Drop Ship products from reputable Manufacturers and Distributors where established guidelines for freshness, quality control and/or government regulations dictate this is the best method for distribution of that product.
Drop Shipped products purchased through our On-Line store will be disclosed in the Information Tab for that product and clearly marked as such on your invoice. |
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UPS or FedEx 1 Day or 2 Day Air |
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Before opting for air delivery, consider that in most West Coast zones, regular Ground Shipments usually arrive in 2 to 3 days although this is not guaranteed.
Be aware that for Air Freight, "dimensional weight" considerations may become a factor that could increase your shipping charges. With any parcel shipped via Air, the calculation for the "dimensional weight" of each box is determined by {(Length) * (Width) * (Height)} / 194. "Dimensional weight" will prevail if it exceeds actual weight.
If shipping charges are going to exceed what the computer estimated based on actual weight, by more than 30%, we will call first to obtain your authorization. Otherwise, we will assume that you agree to pay these higher shipping charges if imposed by UPS or FedEx. |
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UPS and FedEx Ground or FedEx Home Delivery |
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FedEx Home Deliveries are very conveniently scheduled on Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
UPS and FedEx Ground delivers are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
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Expect the following transit time for shipments: |
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1 to 2 business days for Oregon, WA, ID, northern CA and western NV;
2 to 3 business days for southern CA, NV, and western UT;
3 to 4 business days in the Rockies (MT, WY, CO, AZ, and part of NM);
4 to 5 business days east of the Rockies except
5 to 6 business days for the East Coast and all of New England. |
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Please note that remote rural zip codes may not be serviced daily but only 2-3 times a week. |
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FedEx Ground Multi Weight |
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When your order weighs over 150 lbs, we recommend using FedEx Ground Multi Weight. These rates are significantly lower than regular FedEx Home Delivery, UPS or FedEx Ground. The cost is based on total weight, rather than packaged weight. Please note that minimum charges may apply. If your order is over 400 lbs., and it is cheaper to ship your order by commercial carrier (truck), we will call you with truck quotes. |
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FedEx Ground Multi Weight is designed for Business to Business service where the pickup and delivery of palletized freight is common. |
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When shipping via FedEx Ground Multi Weight, be aware that you must be able to accommodate a truck at your residence and that it is your responsibility to unload it. Typically the delivery driver will have a lift (or drop) gate truck and will be able to place your pallet at the curb side parking place immediately adjacent to the truck. They will not take it up a driveway, etc... |
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LTL and Commercial Carrier (truck) |
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When shipping via truck to a residential address, be aware that you must be able to accommodate a truck at your residence and, though the driver will typically assist you, it is your responsibility to unload it.
In Residential areas, this is usually a "curb side" delivery. |
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Receiving Your Order |
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When your order arrives, please check it against the packing slip. Notify us immediately of any shortages or damage.
Do not sign for your order until you have confirmed an identical count of boxes, bags, rolls, bundles, pails, etc. and have checked very carefully for apparent and/or concealed damage. We can not assist you and will not accept any responsibility for missing and/or damaged items unless you note a count discrepancy and/or identify damage on the bill of lading at the time of delivery! |
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Our Shipping and Handling Fees for UPS and FedEx shipments |
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As a rule of thumb, the shipping charges we assess for UPS or FedEx shipments amounts to whatever FedEx or USPS rates are plus a nominal markup of (or on) the ground rate charges. That equates to 10 to 15% to account for necessary packaging and shipping materials. |
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For Example:
A 68 lb. box shipped to Spokane Washington by UPS Ground would cost $37.39. Doing some quick math: 15% of $37.39 would be about $5.60. Obviously not exactly making a killing on that, but it helps cover costs. |
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Co-Op Shipping Program |
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The secret to economical shipping is quite simple: The larger the order being shipped, the more cost-effective the per unit cost. We encourage you to co-op with your friends, family and neighbors when making orders. To this end, we have created a program with a shipping option called Co-Op Shipping which, in principal, is quite simple:
• Multiple orders, by separate persons, are shipped to one address.
• On our end, each persons order is packaged independently with unique packing slips.
• The multiple orders are then palletized and sent to the common shipping address by the best method. |
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Price discounts are applied based on the total - Per Product - volume of the combined order. |
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For example:
• Neighbor A needs 15 by 3 CF. bags of Compost and other items
• Neighbor B needs 15 by 3 CF bags of Compost and other items
• Neighbor C needs 15 by 3 CF. bags of Compost and other items |
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Each Neighbor would be charged at the pallet price for the Compost : an 8 to 10% savings. The savings in Shipping for the Combined Order would be another 20 – 30% for each Neighbor.
This equates to approximately 18 - 20% in savings for the Combined Order. |
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Some Restrictions Apply:
• Minimum order: $500
• Excluded from this program: Drop Shipped items from our suppliers, bulk or custom mixes, and special orders
• Landscape Pricing, Farmer Pricing, and Wholesale Pricing programs do not qualify either |
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Local Pick-up or Delivery |
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Temporarily Discontinued: Call for details if you require Local Pick-up or Delivery services. |
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Submit for Shipping Review |
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You may, at check-out, or for any product or group of products, submit your order for a Shipping Review. We will promptly review your order and find the best method for shipping.
Our program may, if it detects products that are "Non-Combinable Items," automatically submit that portion of your order for a Shipping Review.
The reason for this is quite simple. The On-Line calculators provided by shippers are quite limited in their capacity and are unable to determine the “best method” for shipping our types of products, which always results in customers being overcharged. We will promptly review your order and find the best method for shipping your order. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. |
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HazMat Fees |
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It is unfortunate, although not without merit, that over 50% of our Soil and Water testing products have been deemed hazardous by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This leaves the chemical industry paying significant shipping charges in respect to an inexpensive (but highly technical) consumable product.
What makes it Hazardous?
The most common hazardous products contain Nitric acid, Hydrofluoric acid, Hydrochloric acid, and Sulfuric acid. Even products with trace amounts of these acids are considered hazardous.
Typical HazMat Fees :
UPS charges a hazardous fee of $20.00 per box for ground shipments.
UPS Air shipments have a $30.00 per box fee. Only FIVE liters can be sent in each box. |
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A Business Address (defined) |
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UPS and FedEx define a Business as being a bona-fide place of business with a store front and a business sign, generally open to the public, most importantly with someone present Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, to accept and sign for deliveries. Is this the case? .... otherwise UPS or FedEx will charge an additional, per package, Residential Delivery Fee that we will have to bill you for later. In choosing Business, you accept responsibility for those possible charges if UPS or FedEx doesn't deem your delivery address to be a place of business and/or if no one is there to accept and sign for the delivery. |
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