Industry Standards?

I emailed Pottery Barn Kids, because I’ve been wanting to order this for the twin bed in Vera’s room, but I was kind of waiting around to see if I’d get an online coupon or something (lately, it seems like every time I order something online, I end up getting or finding a coupon either the next day, or a few days later).  Anyway, the coverlet is $149, which I am not thrilled about, but after searching the entire internet for another pink matelasse, and not finding one, I’ve accepted it.  I was about to break down and order it on Monday, but when I went to check out, I discovered that they wanted to charge $21 for shipping!  WHAT?!?  I think that’s a little high.  It’s bad enough I’m paying probably $40 more than normal since the coverlet is organic (I couldn’t care less about that, but they don’t offer a non-organic option).  Anyway, I decided to email PBK, and let them know what I thought of their shipping costs.  I got this response:

We regret to hear of your disappointment with our shipping costs.  Please know that our shipping and processing charges are based on the total dollar amount for each delivery address.  These charges are intended to compensate our company for processing your order, handling and packaging the products you purchase, delivering them to you, managing related overhead and other items.  Our shipping and processing charges are in line with industry standards.  In addition, all products are covered  by the Pottery Barn Kids complete satisfaction guarantee.  Please see a breakdown of our charges by clicking the link below:

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/cust/shipinfo/cust.cfm

If we may be of further assistance, please contact us via email.  Alternately, you may contact our customer service department directly at 1-800-290-8181 from 6:00am to 11:00pm CST, seven days a week.

Kind regards, 

Dee Johnson

Pottery Barn Kids Customer Service

First of all, $21 shipping for a bedspread is not in line with industry standards; it’s a ripoff.  Second, is overhead not already included in the inflated prices Pottery Barn charges for everything?  Third, I don’t feel that the “Pottery Barn Kids complete satisfaction guarantee” has anything to do with what they charge for shipping.  That’s something companies should provide anyway.  Also, if you click the link, you’ll see that shipping costs increase as the dollar value of your order increases; they don’t have much to do with weight and actual cost of shipping.  I feel that now that I’ve gotten this copout of a response, I should not purchase the coverlet on principle.  Crap.  I really like it.  This will be just like the time I didn’t eat M&Ms for a year.  I love M&Ms.

Does anyone else think $21 to ship a coverlet is expensive?  (Or do you agree with Dee, and find that comparable to industry standards)?