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> Until you where you're shipping, the cost is not knowable.

Helpful sites handle this by offering to compute shipping at any point in the order, using my supplied postal code. Rockauto is one.

Less helpful sites make me finalize the order as far as possible. I've seen sites withhold shipping amounts until I submit my payment info.

Crap like this is what drives me back to Amazon and Ebay.

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> Helpful sites handle this by offering to compute shipping at any point in the order

Exactly. Some sites have an input field on the product page, under the product price, so you can add your postal code and see the total price

Withholding shipping info after payment is processed? That would be illegal. All Shopify sites will show it to you after entering your address and before payment. It’s hardly a reason to not shop at small business.

> Withholding shipping info after payment is processed?

I said submit - as in to the site.

> sites will show it to you after entering your address and before payment. It’s hardly a reason to not shop at small business.

This is more complicated than you suggest. It's done to create consent for marketing emails. You can't see shipping costs without signing up for marketing email.

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