Who Pays for Shipping on Airgoods, and How Are Costs Handled?
Understanding how shipping costs are managed on Airgoods is essential for both buyers and sellers. This article provides a comprehensive overview of shipping policies, including standard terms, promotional offers, and special cases.
Standard Shipping Terms
Buyer Responsibility
In general, buyers are responsible for shipping costs on Airgoods. This applies to most orders unless specific promotional terms are in place.
Shipping Label Costs
Labels Purchased Through Airgoods: Airgoods fronts the cost of the shipping label and collects the shipping charge from the buyer at checkout. If the actual label cost exceeds the amount collected, the difference may be deducted from the seller's payout.
Labels Purchased Externally: Sellers pay for the label upfront through external carriers (e.g., UPS, Shopify) and are reimbursed for the shipping cost in their payout.
Promotional Shipping Policies
Free Shipping Offers
Sellers can offer free shipping to buyers by configuring their shipping settings. In such cases, the seller absorbs the shipping cost.
Referral-Based Free Shipping
For domestic U.S. referrals, Airgoods covers the retailer’s shipping costs for one year, up to a $500 shipping subsidy cap per quarter. For international orders, Airgoods only covers shipping within the continental U.S.; the retailer is responsible for international shipping costs unless the seller chooses to cover them.
After the one-year referral period, free shipping benefits expire, and standard shipping charges apply unless the seller sets up a free-shipping rule.
Buyer Promotions
If sellers create free-shipping discounts or thresholds, they are responsible for covering the shipping costs for qualifying orders.
Special Cases
Sample Requests
For sample requests, the seller (brand) is expected to cover the shipping costs. Sellers can factor these costs into their sample pricing to offset expenses.
Commission Rates
Commission rates (e.g., 15% for new buyers, 0% for referred/existing customers) do not affect who pays for shipping. Buyers are charged for shipping unless the seller explicitly offers free shipping.
FAQs and Troubleshooting
Why Am I Being Charged for Shipping After a Referral Period?
Retailers who sign up via Airgoods Direct receive free shipping for one year. After this period, standard shipping charges apply unless the seller configures a free-shipping rule.
How Are Costs Handled for International Orders?
Airgoods covers shipping within the continental U.S. for domestic referrals. For international shipments, the retailer is responsible for shipping costs unless the seller chooses to cover them.
By understanding these policies, sellers can effectively manage their shipping settings and costs, while buyers can anticipate their responsibilities during checkout.