Classifying free shipping under logistics distorts COGS and disconnects marketing from their role in keeping CAC efficient. When free shipping is considered a customer acquisition cost (CAC), it becomes clear that it is a strategic tool for attracting and retaining customers, not just a delivery expense. In a high-stakes e-commerce environment, particularly for Shopify operators managing mid-range sports gear or similar products, this misclassification could result in misallocated budgets, impacting net profitability. To prevent this, a Preventative Operating Model should integrate shipping expenses into CAC, holding marketing accountable for optimizing shipping incentives to drive customer value. Without this, teams operate in silos leading to inefficiencies.