Ugh! Shipping prices!

[JoElizabeth]

Ok. So Im looking around the net to find some products to buy for my chin. Her food supply is getting low, and I really gotta order some Mazuri pellets, Timothy hay, and a few other things. I got
10 lbs. Mazuri Chinchilla Diet
75 ounces Rose Hips
1 Sleep'n Ledge
1 4" Critter Cave Chew
Orchard Sweets Apple Logs
2 Timothy High Fiber Hay 10 oz. Minibale
Which totaled to $29. 34
Not bad, I'd say. I ordered from chinworld as well.
Well. The lowest shipping is $16 and my mom refuses to pay that much in shipping for just $30 worth of stuff... She thinks that if I buy directly from the manufacturer, it would be cheaper, but I really dont want to go to 6 different people to find all that little stuff... what should I do? Where should I go? I live in a small town, so it has to be delivered. Shipping has never been more than about 10% of the price I pay (just a coincidence, I know its by weight) and I just thought it was weird that it was nearly 50%... Even tho that stuff shouldnt weight THAT much... :O

[ChillyChin]

Well...lots of people recommend chinworld, but I think their S&H is absolutely outrageous, especially when it's a small order. Just my experience.
My suggestion? Definitely, definitely buy from one of the memebers here. Try rivendellunlimited.com, forchinatechins.com, critters-n-more.com, fuzzbuttchins.com, thepapayahut.com, spoiledchins.com ...and maybe even chinchillas.com/estore, critterstore.com, or petfooddirect.com.
I think that should help ;)

[JoElizabeth]

Thank you soo much. But can I buy with a credit card? I dont have enough time to send by check and wait for them to get that, and me to get their order. I need it in shipping asap... My chin has one week left of Mazuri, and my parents dont understand u cant just throw in some bread and call it done..:banghead:

[ChillyChin]

Ahhh...I'm not sure who can take cedit cards when it comes to the members, but the last 3 definitely do!
But if you are using a credit card, you can easily set up a PayPal account. I mean easy! I had mine set up in like 5 minutes. See what your parental units think, but let them read all the fine print if they need to: PayPal really is safe and secure! And most of all, in comes in handy and is very useful.
Just a thought!

[parkerspetchins]

I actually found that going through the manufacturers themselves is sometimes MORE expensive (Oxbow for example has some of the highest prices on their own product that I have seen!). For your Mazuri you can try to find a feed store (Tractor Supply, Agway, Farmer's Exchange, etc.) that can order it fresh for you. If they carry Purina, then they can probably order you Mazuri chinchilla pellets because they are made by Purina. They usually have a nice stock of hay as well that you can look at and maybe find some nice timothy. I just found a great deal at petfooddirect.com with a 20% off coupon code VISAPET20A and their shipping is pretty fair IMO. I just ordered some Oxbow hay from them to try a few different kinds. You may not be able to get everything from one place though. I also frequent the people on the boards wb-sites or PM them when I need something - they are all fabulous! All of them have taken Paypal from me :) more than once!

[JoElizabeth]

ok, ok. So my parents finally gave in to letting me buy from chinworld. I know I can buy for cheaper at other places, but ther are WEIRD about that. They only want to buy from a reputable company, not a breeder, unless they know the breeder. THey wont even let me buy from ebay, even if the seller has a spotless record! So thanks for all your help, every one. I appreciate it bunches!

[Chinmama]

Shipping is obviously much cheaper if you are buying closer to home. I used to order from Chinworld, but they are way out on the west coast and I am on the east coast - shipping was almost more than my supplies! I found Lindsey at www.naturecoastchinchillas.com in Florida and I have ordered from her several times. Honestly, I liked the stuff I got from her better than from Chinworld. There are also a few people in NC who sell supplies. Really, they are equal to or better than Chinworld in most cases, as long as you know who you are buying from.

[ChillyChin]

Yeah I know what you mean. My Mom's still convinced almost all online banking means you're just asking for identity theft or thievery. But, you never know, sometimes things come up and change their minds...especially if it benefits them. ;)

[Karin]

majority of banks are offering online banking because its secure.. and its an easy way to keep track of your finances, bills.. most banks also automatically offer debit/credit cards with accounts..
nowadays, it takes one for just about everything..
shipping is outrageous with certain suppliers i've found.. but yea, CW unfortunately is the highest.. i've not had to pay those same rates with anyone else.. so dunno what there deal is..
i didnt know before i got dusty, that the main/good supplies would have to be found online.. and its ok that they are, but for people like you who have to ask parents for approval, it can be really hard i imagine..

[ChillyChin]

Well I was intimidated at first, too, because I don't have a credit card or a debit card. But when I found out PayPal lets you access a savings account? Oh honey, I knew there was no turning back then!