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DJI talked to a collector just now who won four unframed Perez Steele/ Donruss Paintings and shipping was $140. $140 seems a tad high as well. I won a framed check and mat display that weighed twice this and Lelands charged me $40.
You pay 16% VIG and in some cases 6% tax if you live in New Jersey and then the shipping costs... Nickel and Diming is simply an incorrect way of creating a better bottom line.
Last year I wanted to purchase some Lakers 8x10 signed photos for an employee, some of the common guys. Mychel Thompson, Michael Cooper and Kurt Rambis. This seller on eBay had some and the starting bid was $.99. I thought 'Great!' and as I was about to bid, I saw $10 shipping. $10 shipping for a photo? I e-mailed him asking him if he sent it Fed Ex and if I could combine shipping and he said 'Priority Mail' and no discounts on shipping. This person would make an amazing $26 on shipping!
The difference is that this seller disclosed his shipping charges.
DJ
Edit to say: I understand you can't do anything about the sales tax and some simply get punished a little more for living in a particular state and not having a tax money. Merely to point out that things simply add up and on top of the expected costs, you have the shipping charge to deal with that is unexpected.