Yesterday we announced our plans to improve shipping costs and simplify our existing shipping options. We also know that shipping is something we need to constantly improve on in order to ensure that you have the best experience possible. With that in mind, I want to get your feedback on a new idea we have been considering. Would you pay a flat fee per year if you received Express (2 Day) shipping on all of your orders? If so, what do you think a reasonable price for such a service would be?
As always, we appreciate your feedback, and it will help us decide if this is a program we should consider or not. Please let us know what you think!
30 Comments
Actually, yes, if I could be guaranteed that you would print the order with the LATEST edition.
Right now, you are going to send me several copies that I can tell you right now are going right in the garbage.
That is wasteful, but I have no choice.
That sounds like a great idea for someone planning to order large quantities of their own material to sell/distribute.
I’m not a position where this would be advantageous, the projects in my immediate future MIGHT see ten copies each.
But if I were looking to circulate more than a handful I would really consider it.
Amazon does something similar. They charge about $75 for it, I believe. I think it would be a good service, but I’d like to see it for closer to $50. That’s probably wishful thinking, since it is, no doubt, an expensive service to offer. I think frequent buyers would stand to save a lot of money, even paying $75 up front.
I wouldn’t buy it for $75, but I’d consider it for $60. At $50 I would likely jump on it without looking back. Perhaps author’s seeing better sales would be willing to shell out more. Anything over $75 and I don’t think you’re going to convince many authors to cough up the cash.
I have no need for it. It does not interest me for my needs. Love, Armand
I think lulu would be better served by perfecting the services it already offers, rather than creating new ones. The company has a lot of good features, but minimal customer service and sometimes spotty information and operation at best. That’s just my two cents.
Fantastic idea.
I would most definitely pay anywhere from $50-75 for a flat fee for a year of express delivery.
Not worth it for me. I’d rather simply pay (and have customers buying books pay) reasonable shipping rates. My experience to date has been delivery in about a week, which is quite acceptable. The shipping costs are simply too high, which discourages potential buyers. That’s why 90% of people on here are creators, not readers.
I think it would work at 50 a year with the ability to pay monthly or yearly. I’d definitely sign up for a monthly fee like this if it were offered–it would greatly save me time and money.
I’ve passed on a similiar offer from Amazon many times because it’s not in my needs. I personally think it would serve Lulu better to concentrate on actually improving the actual cost of shipping. I read the previous announcement and certainly hope this will be accomplished.
I have no need for such a service, all I want is reasonable shipping prices for myself and my customers, most creators on Lulu would sell more books if the shipping costs were lower all round.
How about spending less time selling services to publishers and more time working on tools to help us sell? Come on, really? Give me coupon codes, gift certificates, and an opt-in mailing list FIRST, then talk to me about special fees to get better shipping.
The idea sounds great, but I’m worried the specifics would hurt it. I’d be willing to pay $50-75 a year, but I think it should be for the account and not the individual project. Many creators have multiple projects they work on and paying individually for each project would be a turn-off. Express shipping is costly and this may not be possible, but it’s hard to make that decision without details. Many of my customers ask me when they’ll get their shipment. I’d like to say, “two days” but I can’t due to high costs of printing and shipping right now. More coupons a month would be a better option first.
Normal shipping intervals are all I require, so this idea would not be of interest to me. What is more important to me is seeing single-copy shipping costs come down because the present rates, in my opinion, do discourage online purchases from Lulu. I am reluctant to even buy my own book when the shipping costs are more than the cost of the book.
This would be helpful. I would be very willing to pay a flat fee for help with the shipping. The shipping has been frustrating for me so far.
I also think the shipping costs are too expensive as they are right now, and this is a negative aspect for authors and buyers.
I also strongly believe that the flat fee should be per account. The way amazon does this. For it to be per project would be too expensive and a turn off.
The option to pay for express delivery is certainly a good thing. More important, however, is reducing the current shipping costs. I currently have over 70 potential buyers who are waiting for the book to list on Amazon before buying due to this. I think it would also help sales if book pricing could be made more competitive – mine is priced the same as an equivalent hardback and is also off-putting to buyers.
I totaly and completely agree with this option. I have a hard time getting things done being a young college student. I sometimes get pushed to the last minute publishes and wish it could be brought in sooner. When I start to make publish worthy books I woud want to get my stuff out quick.
I would probably pay up to $50-$75 if it covers my account, not for each project.
Shipping costs are a real barrier to sales. Only my most dedicated readers are willing to pay…so in effect I buy copies in bulk and distribute locally and abroad. But I remember a time before Lulu and the fact you even exist is a miracle.
I’d need more information. Would it be a flat fee per project, or per author? Would the shipping from there on out be free, or would I be paying a standard shipping rate for each order, but get an upgrade? And, would it be like the last coupon which had a maximum usage?
I stopped ordering my book a year ago to Israel because it became ridiculous expensive. I ordered 159 books till now and I have in mind to write more books by you but I have to find addresses in USA to be sent to. I spoke to your representative at that time- but he couldn’t give me a positive solution. I haven’t seen a penny on my books but this didn’t bother me
There is one big problem! Large quantities or big orders I do not receive them! If I order more as 15 books. The boxes never reach me.
I do not get all my fedex tracking numbers and so 4 boxes are still missing. Hundreds of dollars are gone and so also my sales went down.
As long Lulu can not care really for shipping and handling large amounts of books. I do not order them. It cost me all my money all my energy and all the spirit to go on with Lulu.
I’m waiting Lulu waiting for my lost books.
A disappointed customer/writer
John Baselmans
John,
I believe that customer service has been in contact with you about your order. Please let me know if the matter is not resolved.
Books always reach me in two days. Paying more wouldn’t get me anything useful. What I WOULD like though, is to be able to pay for express printing, and have it go regular shipping.
James,
That is actually how it will work once we bring back expedited printing. You will choose expedited printing and then choose your shipping method.
Your elimination of affordable rates of shipping for quantity orders will force me to take my business elsewhere. No, I am not interested in paying a flat per year rate as I do not know how many books I will need.
Your rates are way too high.
Coleen,
It would be an option, not mandatory.
Please reinstate Fed Ex shipping… It has worked fine for me. I have absolutely NO need for expedited (i.e. expensive) shipping… I WILL take my publishing somewhere else if I have to pay excessive shipping costs…
PLEASE !!!