[Exhibitman]

Heritage also has a shipping calculator. I won a lot in the last auction and knew going in what the BP was and what the shipping was. The invoice was within a few cents of the estimate that was readily calculated with the info available before I bid. It can't get much more transparent and idiot-proof than that, though I do understand that idiots are quite ingenious.

As for the taxes, again, the AH has to remit the taxes--or you do via the use tax. They don't make a dime on that; it is in fact a big cost center because someone has to track, remit and file returns all across the country for all the sales. Heritage just happens to have facilities in several jurisdictions, so it is obliged to collect the tax. Real convenient when you want to have a rep pick up a big consignment. Not so much if you want to dodge your tax obligations.