Reaching free shipping thresholds

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Gurezaemon

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#304368 28-Apr-2023 12:23

What do people find as useful or good-value items to make up a free shipping threshold - for example, for amazon.com.au's AUD50 free shipping. In particular, things that are significantly cheaper than here.

I've found that sticks of deodorant can be half the price of here, and not too bulky. Things like mints, USB cables, and phone screen protectors are also a useful buy.

Out of a nagging concern for the environment, I'd rather not abuse the system for large and/or heavy things like packs of toilet paper, or cans of beans.

Is there anything else obvious that I could be missing?

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MikeAqua

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#3068954 28-Apr-2023 16:53

I top up with a few things.

Woodworking
Consumables: Sanding/sharpening media, tape, non-flammable adhesives (e.g. glue sticks), brown paper rolls (way cheaper than NZ retail) pencil refills, fastenings, splines, brass, hardwood-dowels, hinges, magnets, drawer slides, catches this depends on what projects I have on.
Semi-consumables: Drill/router/dremel bits, saw blades, handles, push sticks.

Electrical
Consumables: (tapes, heat shrink, terminals, cabling, solder)
Also: switches, relay, terminal blocks if I have project on.

Fishing: If I recognize the brand and if the reviews are good - hooks, swivels, slips, trace, lures, sinkers.

Mike

neb

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#3068978 28-Apr-2023 17:58

What do people find as useful or good-value items to make up a free shipping threshold - for example, for amazon.com.au's AUD50 free shipping.

Paying the $3 or so shipping rather than buying a $20 item I don't need to save $3 on shipping has worked pretty well for me in the past.

(This is an easy trap to fall into, and Amazon knows it).

Gurezaemon

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#3068987 28-Apr-2023 19:32

neb:
What do people find as useful or good-value items to make up a free shipping threshold - for example, for amazon.com.au's AUD50 free shipping.
Paying the $3 or so shipping rather than buying a $20 item I don't need to save $3 on shipping has worked pretty well for me in the past. (This is an easy trap to fall into, and Amazon knows it).

That's why I'm asking about stuff that is actually useful, instead of random junk.

I have no problem having 15 sticks of deodorant in a box somewhere, or 10mm sockets - they'll get used eventually, as will USB cables and the like.

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neb

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#3068988 28-Apr-2023 19:38

Sure, was just pointing out that trying to avoid the trap is also an option.

Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

#3069070 28-Apr-2023 23:50

I had a similar but different conundrum recently. I spent AUD$240 at JB HiFi in Australia, but the minimum spend per retailer before you can claim Aussie GST back as a tourist departing Australia is AUD$300.

I spent a little time browsing for $60 dollars worth of things I don't need just to collect a $30 GST refund before eventually seeing sense.

I made up for it later in my trip by spending over $300 each at Harvey Norman and and the DJI store and was actually very happy. The items I bought (Apple AirPod Pro 2 and the DJI Mic) were over $100 cheaper each in NZ dollar terms, plus I got another 10% in Aussie dollars refunded through the Tourist Refund Scheme.

Sorry, I just realised I hijacked the thread. No, I generally don't bother topping up my spend just to get free shipping. I am glad that generally speaking Amazon at least has reasonable shipping charges. Not like those snakes on eBay Australia who charge $40 shipping for a $10 car part that weighs 10 grams when they know you can't buy it anywhere else (yes I'm looking at you Holdcom Auto Parts [vigorous fist shake])

richms

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#3069074 29-Apr-2023 02:32

I leave things I don't desperately need but want in the cart till something I actually need comes up on a decent sale, then I look at the other things for something that is also an OK price to add to what I check out with to make the total.

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ermat

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#3069082 29-Apr-2023 08:14

Iherb usa. Vitamins/supplements.
The threshold for free shipping varys, depending on your purchase. Usually over $60 -80 approx.
I find the Now brand good value but other brands on discount.
Best prices I have found anywhere. Very fast delivery. Usually 7 days.