L. L. Bean Drops Free Shipping Policy:...

L. L. Bean Drops Free Shipping Policy: The catalogue retailer will begin charging for delivery for the first time in its 79-year history, a move the company said was forced by increased postal and shipping rates. Beginning this summer, the Freeport, Me.-based firm will charge a flat fee of $3.50 per order, regardless of how much the customer buys, company spokeswoman Catherine Hartnett said. Bean said it imposed the shipping charge after it was hit with increased fees by the U.S. Postal Service and United Parcel Service. About 85% of Bean’s goods are shipped by UPS, which has raised its rates by 26%, Hartnett said.