Yeah, I must admit that would have disgusted me too and I would have most l likely abandoned the transaction. I understand that companies need to make a profit, including shipping businesses, but sometimes things get out of control.

When things get that out of whack to me then there is no way I will feel good about the merchandise anyway so I just move on to figuring out a plan B. We all have to do what is right for us.

Check out fabricguru.com -- you might have better luck there!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

The company has bricks and mortar stores in several states. My own (TX) is a state that charges tax on shipping as well as on merchandise, as several do. So, the online vendor must do the same if the destination is in my state. I removed myself from the vendor's mailing list.
Thanks, Jan, but unfortunately, Fabric Guru has nothing remotely as perfect for my guest room--I've looked at their stuff for ages and ordered samples before.

As if...that's insane!

I have serious issues with paying shipping costs all together. I normally try to find items in my community to purchase thus saving the shipping costs and supporting my local vendors. If I can't find it at home at a good price then I will shop online but wow ....it kills me to pay shipping I just find in many cases (at least for where I am in Canada)..the cost of shipping added to the price of product more often then not removes any type of 'price deal' I may find making it pointless.

That must have been pretty disappointing - I hope you find something else you love just as much.

Haley

That is crazy! Wonder if you emailed them and told them they lost a sale because of the ridiculous price they are charging for shipping, if they would waive the fees?

I love shopping online, and mostly enjoy not paying taxes and sometimes even lucky enough to get free shipping, although in my state (NC) I'm supposed to pay the taxes on my tax returns, but when shipping is outrageous, I'll try to find it locally.

"I was in the process of ordering $331.00 of cotton fabric for the guest room from a well-known vendor this morning. I discovered the shipping charges were going to be $132 (plus tax on both the fabric and the shipping fee). No, I did not complete the purchase."

By any chance were they shipping it as a bolt instead of cut?

Boy is that not fair. I hate when I order something for our daughter and had it shipped to Cali for our daughter I had to pay their outrageous tax. Just doesn't seem fair. They get you one way or another, don't they?

How many yards of fabric, of what kind, and how packaged?

If they ship a roll, it can trigger all kinds of "oversize package" charges.

When I order from Fabricguru, my fabric (often 20 yards at a time) comes on a roll for their $4.95 shipping fee.

I ordered a pair of the Olympic Touch Bearer Mittens that were $10. The shipping was $15 so I abandoned the order. Can't pay more for the shipping than I do the goods!

I ordered some fabric once and was surpised by the shipping cost. (was only 2 yards) The fabric was shipped on the bolt and once I received it, thought 'no wonder' he shipping was $$! Due to the size of tbe bolt, I'm sure more costly than if fabric was removed and shipped as a cut piece.
(as per chijim'c comment above)

Maybe contact them and see if less costly to ship if not on bolt...

Even when I have ordered fabric on the bolt from various companies, the upcharge has not been like this one. I must say, I assumed this was cut fabric, but either way, it's too much. If it were a rare, antique textile or something, I could understand extraordinary shipping care and costs. Not the case here !

The bolts generally aren't more costly unless they exceed the max length, which is close to 60". Then it's better to fold the fabric in half (unless it's linen or you're the one trying to unfold it to sew with it).

I have often wondered if mail order businesses keep their prices low to get the sale, then make it up with shipping & handling charges.

No shipping charges here if order is over $35. I buy from them all the time and have NEVER had any sort of problem!
I am NOT related in any way...I just sew a lot and have been very satisfied with purchases from them.

Here is a link that might be useful: click

Does this online site have a brick and mortar store anywhere nearby you?

I've found that sometimes you can have things ordered online and delivered to the store to avoid shipping.

I can't imagine it would cost that much to ship a bolt of fabric - no matter what the size. Goodness, I had a leather sectional shipped from NC and the shipping on that was $265 and there were actual shipping guys loading and unloading it into my house!

I think that sometimes they charge you a much cheaper charge for the item and then make up their profit in "shipping/handling" fees. I would definitely call them and complain. However, I have refused to order things I've loved from Pottery Barn and Ballards because their shipping fees and extra shipping charges are ridiculous.

Furniture is ridiculous for shipping too. I'm looking at a coffee table from West Elm that is $400 - plus $70 shipping. And it doesn't even come pre-assembled!!!

Some stores charge a fixed fee for a furniture delivery, no matter how much (or how little) you have delivered. Room and Board is $79. Crate and Barrel is $69. If you want a single item, R&B sends some of their smaller items UPS for a $25 shipping fee. C&B has something similar.

The $70 for the coffee table is irritating me so much that I haven't ordered it yet.

charlikin...Are none of the New York stores near you ?

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.westelm.com/customer-service/store-locations.html?cm_type=fnav