How I Became a Free Shipping Snob + Brands With Free Shipping

Empty Nest Blessed by Suzy Mighell
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girl riding on a shopping cart

Please note: This post contains Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Well, all thanks to Amazon, it’s happened. I’ve officially become a free shipping snob. Like, I get kind of mad ????‍♀️ (?!) when a brand doesn’t offer free shipping now. Has this happened to you too? Also, the last thing I want to do is to run around from store to store these days. Luckily, there are more & more brands with free shipping out there.

But let’s be real. We know nothing is really free! We also know online retailers add the cost of shipping in there somewhere, right? Or if they offer free shipping with a minimum purchase to qualify, we know they’re trying to prompt us to buy more merchandise. The trouble is, we still tend to fall for it! Some of us (and I’m not saying who…????????‍♀️) fall for it every time. Like it or not, Amazon has spoiled us all, and now we think we deserve free shipping. Um, also, we may or may not have gotten kind of lazy, just sayin’. (Er, maybe that’s just me.????‍????)

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Here’s how it happened: As customers flocked to Amazon Prime’s free shipping, online retailers were forced to take notice. The result? More and more retailers now offer free shipping and returns with no minimum purchase. I, for one, am all in!

BTW, If you haven’t signed up for Amazon Prime, yet, you might want to consider it. There’s a 30-day free trial, and their same-day and two-day shipping will save you a whole bunch of running around this year. I couldn’t live without it and especially appreciate how easy it makes sending things to my kids who live out of town. Also, it gives you access to tons of free Amazon Prime Videos, free books and magazines on Amazon Prime Reading, and more! (For more on the benefits of Amazon Prime—many of which you may not even know about—click HERE.)

Today I thought I’d share a comprehensive list of some favorite retailers with free shipping. Oh, I was brutal! To make my list, you also had to offer free returns and no minimum purchase! #suchatoughie This is a list you’ll want to keep, so feel free to bookmark this post or to use the button at the bottom of this post to Pin it to your Pinterest page, or share it on your Facebook, or Twitter pages.

How Shopping Has Changed

Back in the early 2000s, you probably took your style cues from magazines, commercials on the three big TV networks, or what your friends were wearing. Even though Amazon launched in 1994 and went public in 1997, for many years it was a book retailer (‘Memba that?) and it struggled to survive after the dot.com bubble burst in late 1999. But survive it did, and it expanded to sell clothing in late 2002. Amazon Prime debuted in February 2002, ruining all of us forever. #canIgetanamen ????

At the same time all of this was going on, mobile phones were becoming a staple in our lives. Did you know that back in 2011, 25% of all shopping was done via mobile, but in 2018 that number jumped to 60%! It’s predicted to go up to 80% in the next year or so, and this year for the first time, there were actually more online sales than in-store sales!

Your biggest style influences now? Well, it’s still your friends, for sure, but it’s probably also expanded into the realm of social media, and you have influencers and bloggers that you follow on Instagram, Facebook, the LiketoKnow.it app, or their blogs. (Thank you for that, by the way! It means the world to me to think that I am one of those people for you, and your trust in me is something I take very seriously.) I actually hate the word “influencer” because it sounds kind of self-important when you say it out loud. I didn’t set out to be one of those (!), and I want you to know that the mission of Empty Nest Blessed has never changed, and never will. As always, I’m here to bless, encourage, and inspire you, whether that be in your relationships, your health and fitness, your beauty routine, or even your fashion choices.

Shopping has changed a lot, for sure, and now you can shop in a brand’s own app, on the SHOP page on an influencer’s blog, or in apps like the LiketoKnow.it app, where you can follow your favorite influencers all in one convenient place! For more on the LiketoKnow.it app and how to use it, click HERE.

Now, with no further ado, here’s THE LIST!

Brands With Free Shipping & Returns (No Minimum Purchase)

Click the links to visit their sites!

Amazon – with Amazon Prime, of course!

Apple – I am in love with my Apple Watch!

Billabong – Join their Billabong Crew Rewards program to score free shipping.

Bonobos – Men’s Activewear. This is one of Bob’s favorite brands, and he especially loves their flat front men’s tech chinos. No matter what your man’s girth, the sleeker fit is just more flattering!

Casetify – With everything from glitter Apple Watch bands (seriously?!) to unique phone, iPad, and MacBook cases, this is one brand you need to get to know.

Chicwish – I’ve never ordered from them, but after browsing their website, I’m definitely planning to in the future!

Coach – I think their handbags are fantastic, and they have great gifts for both men and women.

Dermstore – Great site for skincare, cosmetics, and hair care. To see if they carry your favorite brand, click here.

East Dane – A subsidiary of Amazon featuring clothing and accessories for men from over 125 designer brands.

Fossil – Famous for their watches, but they also carry handbags, jewelry, accessories, and more.

J.Crew – Free shipping for J.Crew Rewards members. Teachers and students get an extra 15% off any purchase.

J.Crew Factory – Free shipping for J.Crew Rewards members. Teachers and students get an extra 15% off any purchase.

Kate Spade – Some of my favorite handbags, jewelry, and clothing—with a happy, feminine vibe!

Kendra Scott – Check out the gorgeous sale styles for awesome prices.

L.L. Bean – High-quality clothing, home goods, outdoor equipment, bags, gifts, and more at reasonable prices.

L’Occitaine en Provence – They make amazing, luxurious skincare. This hand creme is the best selling cream in the world!

Lilly Pulitzer – I totally subscribe to their tag line: “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH SUNSHINE AND A LITTLE PINK.” #amen

MAC Cosmetics – Famous for their extensive lipstick line, but there’s so much more

Madewell – Women’s jeans (with fits & styles for every body type!), shoes, bags, and more. Join their free Madewell Insiders loyalty program to snag free shipping.

Molton Brown – I love their luxury bath & beauty gifts. (They’re found at some of the finest hotels in the world!)

NYDJ – NYDJ stands for “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans,” and that’s totally accurate! I love this company, where women create jeans for women. Their jeans will shape, boost, and sculpt you in all the right places!

Neiman Marcus – They have good deals on Neiman Marcus-branded products, but their sale section is where you can really score big!

New Balance – Free shipping when you join their NB Rewards program. These are my go-to athletic shoes!

Nordstrom – They were a leader in the free shipping/returns movement, and their customer service is stellar! Find the best deals in their sale section!

Saks Fifth Avenue – Use the code FREESHIP at checkout to get free shipping.

Shopbop – A subsidiary of Amazon featuring designer clothing and accessories for women from over 400 designer brands. To see if they carry your favorite brand, click HERE, and to check their sale section, click HERE.

Smashbox – Makeup, primers, BB creams, and more. They’re famous for their Photo Finish Foundation Primer!

The North Face – Every college kid I know owns at least one North Face Fleece!

Timberland – Their cozy boots are awesome.

Tory Burch – Always check the sale section for the very best deals on handbagsshoes, accessories, and wear-now clothing.

Walmart – They came out publically and said they were aggressively going after Amazon’s customers! They started by offering free 2-day shipping and then added free next-day shipping on orders of $35 or more. Need it faster? Buy online and pick up in-store.

White House Black Market (WHBM) – Free shipping if you join WHBM Rewards. Extra 10% off your order if you text SHOP to 50443.

Zappos – You probably just think of them for shoes, but now they also carry clothing and accessories. They’ve always got a good sale going. They offer an additional 10% off to students, teachers, and military personnel. #lovethat

Do you have any favorite brands that offer free shipping and need to be on my list? Does free shipping/returns influence your purchasing behavior? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Blessings,

 

 

Photos by Megan Weaver.

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