Three Sisters' Marketplace Basic Shipping Policies

On Three Sisters' Marketplace each artisan/seller can create their own shipping policies as long as they fall under the guidelines of this Basic Shipping Policy.

Each artisan must set the shipping costs for each item in their shop. When calculating your shipping costs be sure to include the costs of packaging, shipping, your time and effort, while at the same time keeping costs reasonable.

On Three Sisters' Marketplace there are many options for shipping, including insurance, and you have the option of setting your shop policies in a few different ways.

Shipping Costs:

~OR~

1. You can offer free shipping on all or some of your products. This is always an attractive option for buyers! If you do offer free shipping then you are responsible for paying the shipping costs for the item.
2. You set the shipping costs for each item in your shop and the buyer pays for the shipping.

Shipping Time:

Sellers must set an estimated shipping time for the items in their shops. A shipping time of 5-7 business days is reasonable for most items and the most cost-effective method.

Insurance:

It is up to each seller to determine if they want to use a carrier that has insurance (UPS for example currently insures all UPS ground packages for up to $100 included in the shipping price). If the item is valued higher than $100 then the seller should give the buyer the insurance options — either the seller pays to insure the item or charges the buyer the insurance fees.

Shipping Flexibility:

On Three Sisters' Marketplace for each item we offer a 'Shipping Cost for a Single Item' and a 'Shipping Cost for 2 or More Items'. This is a helpful option to keep shipping costs competitive when someone orders more than one item from your shop.

Here's how it works:

Shipping for One Item = Shipping cost if only one item is purchased from one seller's shop. Shipping for 2 or More Items = Shipping cost if more than one item is purchased from an artisan's shop. Note: If you do not enter anything in this field then 'Shipping for One Item' will be totaled for all items purchased.

Example:
So for example a buyer selects a necklace and a large ceramic vase from your shop. You have entered 'Shipping for One Item' and 'Shipping for 2 or More Items' for each item.

Large Ceramic Vase:
Shipping for One Item = $20.00
Shipping for 2 or More Items = $15.00

Necklace:
Shipping for One Item = $8.00
Shipping for 2 or More Items = $3.00

At Check Out the highest 'Shipping for One Item' is selected and then 'Shipping for 2 or More Items' is selected all remaining items: Total = $23.00

If you had not filled in the 'Shipping for 2 or More Items' field then 'Shipping for One Item' would be selected for both items purchased:
Total Shipping: $28.00

You can see that by using the 'Shipping for 2 or More Items' field can help to keep your shipping costs competitive. So you can choose the Shipping Costs that are entered for each item, or you can offer free shipping. For any option you select please ensure that your packaging and shipping costs are factored in for each item.

The shipping is totaled at Check Out for buyers. If you choose to require insurance this option will be offered to buyers at checkout as well.

For more information on Shipping Policies you can check out Three Sisters' Marketplace Basics or our FAQs.