Lelands Good News for Classic Auction Winners

[GedLee]

Lelands announces good news for winning bidders in our 2019 Spring Classic and 2019 Fall Classic auctions. We screwed up, which results in you getting money back. Specifically, we discovered we overcharged for shipping on certain winning lots, so to make it right for our clients, we are going to refund all winning bidder's shipping costs. To ensure clarity, here are the specifics on how we are resolving:

"Due to a computational error in determining shipping, handling, and insurance costs for Lelands June 2019 and December 2019 auctions for certain winning bidders, Lelands has elected to refund all such charges to all of the winning bidders in these auctions. This decision will help us avoid any misunderstandings with our valued clients. Going forward, we will endeavor to avoid similar mistakes and continue to provide the world-class service our customers expect. We also wish to proactively confirm we had no advance knowledge of any efforts to censor online discussions concerning these errors. Our goal is to continuously improve the quality of the service we provide to the collecting community, and consistent with that objective, Lelands welcomes all feedback and commentary, including criticism of our auctions and operations."

We trust this will more than make things right. As the longest-running and original auction house in the sports memorabilia hobby, we thank you for your continued support.

[Rhotchkiss]

Good move. Thank you.

BTW - this was all discovered and caused/created by a (former) board member- see water cooler section. Thanks Steven (The artist formally known as Curious George).

[perezfan]

That's great news!

Do we (winning bidders) need to submit anything such as a verbal or written request? Or will this happen automatically, with a check soon appearing in the mail?

First the $1,200 stimulus checks and now this... not too shabby!

Many thanks for doing this act of goodwill,
Mark

[GedLee]

Originally Posted by perezfan

That's great news!

Do we (winning bidders) need to submit anything such as a verbal or written request? Or will this happen automatically, with a check soon appearing in the mail?

First the $1,200 stimulus checks and now this... not too shabby!

Many thanks for doing this act of goodwill,
Mark

Just like the stimulus... one day soon it will appear in your mailbox.

[Bpm0014]

I'm not one to complain much but I always thought it was odd that I won a small poster for $50 and paid $38 shipping for it...

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Pretty impressive. They could've just oiled the squeaky wheel and refunded people on an individual basis after they complained. Well done!

[Scott L.]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Good move. Thank you.

BTW - this was all discovered and caused/created by a (former) board member- see water cooler section. Thanks Steven (The artist formally known as Curious George).

+1 Miss Steven. He has some fabulous cards.

[ruth-gehrig]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Pretty impressive. They could've just oiled the squeaky wheel and refunded people on an individual basis after they complained. Well done!

You think it had nothing to do with a potential lawsuit with the plaintiff(s) threatening to delve deeper into their years of shipping costs?

[GedLee]

,

[chriskim]

The 20% Buyer's premium should have already included shipping fee in the first place regardless (IMO)

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Tell me what law they're breaking?

A company can charge whatever amount they want for shipping, nobody's forcing you to do business with them. Unless they're claiming one thing and doing another, or refusing to disclose their shipping price to consumers and then whacking them after the auction I don't know what basis there would be for a lawsuit.

[Republicaninmass]

I've noticed some have added a "handling" charge or disclaimer saying shipping Inckudes handing

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Philosophical question, asking for a friend. Would you rather pay 18% BP + actual shipping + $5 or 20% BP and no shipping charges.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Philosophical question, asking for a friend. Would you rather pay 18% BP + actual shipping + $5 or 20% BP and no shipping charges.

For me, it's the latter.

[chriskim]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Philosophical question, asking for a friend. Would you rather pay 18% BP + actual shipping + $5 or 20% BP and no shipping charges.

Are u sure u are paying the "actual shipping"?? Show me a shipping label that it actually show the postage.

[chriskim]

Originally Posted by perezfan

For me, it's the latter.

In fact, we are paying 20% + "shipping" + "handling". .....and Sales tax.

That 20% will increase sooner or later

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Our postage labels show the shipping paid.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by chriskim

In fact, we are paying 20% + "shipping" + "handling". .....and Sales tax.

That 20% will increase sooner or later

I don't know what you're answering here. I asked would you prefer 18% plus shipping and expenses or 20% with no additional charges.

[Exhibitman]

That's certainly welcome!

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by chriskim

In fact, we are paying 20% + "shipping" + "handling". .....and Sales tax.

That 20% will increase sooner or later

I now collect records and 20% is pretty cheap compared to overseas. I’ve paid 30% multiple times...standard practice in Europe.

[renoch01]

How are you refunding the money for those who sent you a check?

[chriskim]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I now collect records and 20% is pretty cheap compared to overseas. I’ve paid 30% multiple times...standard practice in Europe.

So European auction houses charge 30% from buyers and 30% from consignees too?

[Mentor_rookie]

Originally Posted by GedLee

,

New poster but long time auction house purchaser who often is annoyed by inflated shipping charges. I went to show a friend of mine what happen and this post was apparently deleted. Trying to follow what happened here so was Lelands threatened with a lawsuit that spurred these refunds or did they do it willingly? I guess it doesn't matter as long as in the end it was done but i'm wondering if it will impact other auction houses to do the same?

[Exhibitman]

In reviewing my records it does seem odd that my shipping cost for a sub-200 item raw group of cards and photos in the spring auction was 3x the shipping cost of over 2,000 cards in albums in the fall auction, but I was too happy with the wins to bother questioning it. I just assume 2% of the [hammer price + vig] when I bid. Except REA; love that flat fee shipping.

[earlywynnfan]

Got a check yesterday, anyone else?

[perezfan]

Still awaiting mine.

[prestigecollectibles]

Got my $27.59 check yesterday.

[paul]

I got mine. They refunded me the entire shipping charge for my item, not just the overcharge.

[Shoeless Moe]

Got mine as well.

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE MOVE!

Thank you Lelands!

[perezfan]

Agree!

Mine arrived this afternoon, and was for the full shipping amount (as promised). Much appreciated!

[h2oya311]

+1. Received full shipping refund check today for both auctions I won in 2019.