Book delivery – check printer quotes
Book delivery is almost always included at Star Print Brokers.
Yes, book delivery to the door is included unless stated otherwise in the quote. But, often book printers leave off delivery in their printer quotes, or include it as an extra line item.
Book printer quotes need to be compared.
When you receive book printers quotes, do you know how to read it? If you were like a lot of authors you’re tempted to look at the cost only. However, you might be missing something really important, like book delivery. It is not uncommon for printers to change printing specs or leave off delivery costs altogether. At Star Print Brokers we include all foreseeable costs in our quotes. We don’t like surprises and we know our authors don’t either.
You need to know what these shipping and delivery terms mean. The lower cost printing quotes could turn out to be the highest, and extra work for you. We always add book delivery unless there is a reason why we can’t. Then, we explain it!
Book delivery and shipping terms you need to understand on printing quotes.
FOB – Free On Board – you’ll be paying more and have work to do.
Overseas: The printer delivers books on board a vessel designated by the author. The printer fulfills its obligations to deliver when the goods have passed over the ship’s rail. The author pays duty, pays for ocean shipping, and either picks up the books at port, or hires a trucker to pick them up and delivery them.
USA: Most book printer quotes that use this term mean that the books are on their loading dock. The author needs to arrange for pick up and delivery.
CIF – Cost, Insurance, Freight – Still paying and working.
The book printer arranges ocean shipping to the port of destination, and provides the author with the documents necessary to pick up the books at port. The author will pay duty, have to receive pallet(s) of cartons of books themselves.
DDP – Delivered Duty Paid – Yes – DDP includes all the usual things – and you don’t lift a finger.
This is what you want – an all in quote! DDP is only slightly more than CIF, but you don’t have to give yourself a job. You’ve got better things to do, especially since you aren’t saving money. In fact, if you have to rent a truck, it will likely cost you more than a DDP delivery would.
DDP means all foreseeable shipping and delivery costs, including the cost of ocean shipping, duty and any delivery to the door. Local taxes or VAT are the responsibility of the buyer to research and are not included. The books Star Print Brokers prints are insured from leaving the printer to the door delivery by a local trucker.
You can see if you compare book delivery costs on printing quotes, then you need to always go with DDP. Almost everything is done for you. If the quote is from a USA printer, make sure they provide delivery as well, unless you want to pick up the books at the printers. If it’s not clearly stated on the quote, assume delivery is not included.
You need to know what these book delivery and shipping terms mean. The lower cost book printer quotes could turn out to be the highest – and extra work for you.
A word about distribution.
If you use an on-demand service, do you actually get your book into brick-and-mortar bookstores, or just have access to those bookstores? We have a secret for you. If you have your own ISBN and barcode, you already have access to brick-and-mortar bookstores. You are in the database already.
Request a quote today!
