"Free shipping" sounds like a win for customers, but the reality is far from free. While businesses use it as a powerful marketing tool to boost sales and customer loyalty, the actual cost is often hidden and it’s not just financial.

Economically, small businesses bear the brunt. To compete with giants like Amazon, they either absorb the shipping cost or inflate product prices to compensate. Either way, it's a lose-lose for them or for the consumer in the long run. Environmentally, the price is even higher. The rise of next-day and same-day deliveries increases carbon emissions and packaging waste, putting a huge strain on the planet.

According to experts, these convenient perks create unsustainable consumer habits, encouraging over-ordering and frequent returns. All for the illusion of getting something for "free."

Free shipping may help us check out faster but it's time we pause and ask: who’s really paying the price?