I have to agree with the previous, although I wouldn't increase the minimum. Charging for packing is perfectly reasonable, and I don't think people mind paying for shipping supplies if they know they are going to get what they pay for. Some vendors definitely charge too much, but covering your costs is certainly reasonable (and sane).
I charge $3.00 for winter packing, regardless of how many plants (50? Bring it on!). That includes a foam lined box (I have to buy the foam, and sometimes I buy the boxes), and one or two heat packs depending on how big the box is. Comes out to about break even, often I lose money but that is life.
I'd have to raise my prices substantially if I didn't charge for packing. Now, most of the things I sell online are $2-4 foliage plants (little ferns, bromeliads, etc), not orchids. With orchids the profit margin is higher, so I could probably absorb it. But with those cheap little ones, even a $20 order wouldn't come close to covering the materials.
I always calculate shipping costs based on the actual weight, so not much that I can do about the one plant orders costing more to ship than the plants are worth. After foam, heat packs, boxes, etc, a minimum weight is 2 pounds. Usually more like three. I can ship at least 10 plants in a three pound box, so it really doesn't make sense to order just one. But people do it all the time...
Rob
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