How can you offer free shipping with specific discounts to local pick up?

[Ryanjms]

Hello! Researched this for an hour+ but haven't found too much.

We currently have a free shipping (built-in) Ecom model. The actual cost to ship our products ranges from $30-$300+ with the average ground order being $60 and average LTL Freight for $200.

We will own two warehouses in two larger east/west coast areas and are trying to figure out how to be very competitive for those millions of local customers, without putting it in everyone's face that there is X $ for 'built-in shipping'. We just want to show that to -some- people who have the decision to go do local pick up. 

A flat discount doesn't work, since the amount it costs to ship vs total amount varies quite a bit product to product. So, a discount code of "LOCAL" that gives you 10% would make some items competitive locally and others still not.

We generally do not want to move back to a non-free ship model which made us very competitive locally, but got more cart abandonment when people were sticker shocked on what it costs to ship heavy stuff.

We don't want a completely separate shopping experience or a 'come to our store to find out our prices/inventory' situation. We do like offering the seamless 'buy online and pick up in store' experience. I've seen this offered by Costco for example where 'some prices may be lower in stores', but they also don't do a great job showing inventory in store. Our store is also primarily not a 'self service' store like costco. You walk around and point out what you want, then someone in the warehouse picks your order and brings it to your car.

Any ideas / suggestions? Open to any and all ideas! Even the big box stores that offer free shipping haven't figured out a great way to work this. Competitors in our industry have a mix of free or paid shipping models.

Thanks!

[Kelsurfs]

Did you ever get a reply to this? Have you solved the problem? We would like to do this as well.

[Moira]

Hey @Kelsurfs,

You could implement a dynamic pricing model where shipping discounts are automatically applied based on the customer's location. This way, local customers can receive a discount that reflects the reduced shipping cost without needing to enter a discount code. Shopify apps like Advanced Shipping Rules or Intuitive Shipping can help set up these rules.