vincevincevince - 11:01 pm on Jun 25, 2007 (gmt 0)

You could compare it to a B&M store. B&M always provide the equivalent of 'free shipping' as there is no service or overhead charge per customer. Stores which did do that mostly died out a long time ago.

A customer can come into most stores, spend half an hour browsing and asking your staff questions, and then leave without paying. Likewise, a customer may buy something worth pence/cents having taken full advantage of your air conditioning/heating, lighting, off-road parking, and possibly even toilets - you are almost certainly at a significant loss.