Question for those of you with canvas/upholstery businesses

[ZZ13]

Over the last several years I've learned to do my own upholstery and canvas work. I will also do jobs for my friend and dock mates, on occasion. As a result I have an account with both Sailrite and Trivantage, providing me with "discounts" in the materials. But I have found that the shipping costs for account orders are significantly jacked up for the account holders, noticably eroding the discount. For example if I order a bunch of yards of vinyl from Sailrite as the account holder, and then key in the same order has a non-account holder, the shipping for my account is twice that as a non account. Yes, its still less cost overall. Yesterday I ordered 5 yards of vinyl from Trivantage for $164 total. Shipping was a ridiculous $70. Its clear these companies are using the shipping to make up for the discount they are giving. So, my question is, is there a formula or something I should be using to minimize the shipping upcharge impact (like order more stuff)? Or is this just the way of the world in the fabric business? By the way, I'm kinda pissed at Sailrite. They've dropped my favorite marine vinyl, Sunbrella Horizon.

 

[ttmott]

$70 is off the charts - overnight???
I just ordered six yards of Phifertex Plus from Sailrite - $16 shipping.
Yesterday we ordered some specialty fasteners from McMaster-Carr - 1/4 inch diameter bolts, 20 of them - Shipping $14.
Friday I returned a machine part, around 2 pounds, to the Manuf in Indiana. $26 UPS.

It's everything - I think they are offsetting handling and packaging costs in the shipping rather than upping the cost of the product. They say inflation is under control though.....

 

[Quint4]

Trivantage is notorious for very high shipping....many do not use them because of this. Yes, shipping is very high and I just figure the cost into the project. Increased quantity may help, but I don't want to get stuck with excess materials laying around for months or longer so I order per job, what I need.

 

[jgoedd99]

I am pretty much in the same boat as you when it comes to doing upholstery and canvas work for friends and word-of-mouth. Shipping is ridiculous. Best thing you can do is wait for sailrite to have the free shipping sale. You just build it into the cost. Lately, I am shocked at the price of materials. I do not think most people appreciate how much everything is costing.