Well they're trying to make money on shipping, and there's nothing wrong with that. People need to, and do, vote with their money. I often wonder if the lengths we go to to keep things reasonable for our customers are worth it.

If most other companies view every part of the transaction as a profit center, yet we're not seeing any benefit from being more buyer friendly, I'm not sure what the incentive is to remain so!

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Don't lose faith Scott, I don't know how you guys do it at what is best a 20% margin. Add labor and other costs seems more like a 7% margin. That's a labor of love and thank you for sticking with an industry where you're only as good as your last auction.
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I don't think most of your competitors view every part of the transaction as a profit center...but those that do leave a negative impression for sure...(IMHO)

Scott,

I realize my purchases don't add up to very much. However, I tend to get a few things per year from your AH because you're so buyer friendly.

Drop in the bucket, to be sure, but there are certainly others who feel as I do and spend their money accordingly.

Thanks Eric, sometimes I like to throw myself a pity party, and whining is never a good look, so rest assured my customers are greatly appreciated.

Just to give people a little perspective I worked in live theater in PA for almost 20 years. Not exactly a path to riches. I still haven't personally made in any year since I've begun in the auction business, what I made in my last year in theater.

To pull back the curtain a little bit, gross margins after paying consignors are consistently 28%. That has to cover 4 salaries and a part time graphic designer. 1200 Sq Ft of office space and utilities, 6000 Sq Ft Warehouse space & Utilities, auction software (which takes a percentage of every sale) Insurance, advertising, travel and show fees etc... If you're a $100,000,000 company that 28% goes a LONG way. If you're a $1,000,000 company well, not so much.