Why is there a shipping cost when we offer free shipping?

This is a valid question and one we have thought about a long time before moving to our current policy.  Most items we sell will still have free shipping included.  However, there is a group of items where free shipping is either impractical or makes a product appear more expensive than it really should be.

Free shipping is not really free

The first thing that needs to be addressed is this basic truth that free shipping is not really free.  Somebody needs to pay that shipping, whether it is us or our customers.  In most cases, the products we sell give us enough room to be able to cover this cost for our customers.  For some items though, we would rather be transparent and give our customers their true cost rather than inflate prices to cover shipping.

So what is not covered by free shipping?

Primarily free weights at this time.  Anyone who offers free shipping on free weights has one of 3 scenarios occurring. 

1. They are getting an incredible price on the weights so can cover the shipping in the cost.  This is extremely unlikely unless they are the manufacturer.

2. The cost of shipping is being silently passed on to the customer in the form of higher costs while still being listed as free shipping.

3. The products are intentionally being sold at a loss in order to generate volume and gamble on potential profitable (repeat) sales later on.  

So why do we charge shipping on these products?

We believe in transparency.  This carries through to our prices.  We do our best to keep prices as low as we can, but at the end of the day we do need to be able to make money as well.  Rather than inflate the cost of these items to offset the shipping, we prefer to provide you with your true cost to get these items.  In this way you can see exactly what you are paying for the product, and what you are paying for shipping.  

This is the reason we charge shipping on these items.  

If you have any other questions on this feel free to send us a message!