A bit of levity

[sb1]

As the board has been proliferated with threads in regard to the recent turn of events in the graded card market, I wanted to get us back on track with egregious shipping .

I won a $100 lot in a NY online auction from a very well known antique dealer, they added 25% bp which was fully disclosed, wanted to add TX sales tax, which I did not have to pay as I have a resale cert.(they only collect NY & TX).

But wait for it.....$61 "shipping and handling". I believe percentage wise, this might be a Net54 record. 61% !! Mind you this $100 lot will fit in the palm of your hand, as it's seventy-three Vg to EX raw cards.

And no I did not pay it, I am awaiting their revised invoice, although I don't know the new number yet.

[oldjudge]

Revised number—$71. “We forgot the cost of the peanuts.”

[drcy]

I remember when I bought a coffee refill for 75cents and added $1 tip. "I just gave you an over 100 percent tip!"

[asphaltman]

If it’s who I think it is the shipping charge was no mistake. They’ll send out high shipping costs and then adjust for the 25% of customers that actually say something. They make plenty off the majority that grumble and just pay it.

[calvindog]

Shipping has become a profit center these days. Christies was awful if I recall.

[kateighty]

Originally Posted by asphaltman

If it’s who I think it is the shipping charge was no mistake. They’ll send out high shipping costs and then adjust for the 25% of customers that actually say something. They make plenty off the majority that grumble and just pay it.

Yes, exactly what I was thinking!

[sb1]

This wasn't Christies or Sotheby's, I have used both and have learned to arrange for pickup, but a fairly regular Antique Roadshow appraiser, that I did not even know had an auction.

When I called, he picked up the phone himself(somewhat surprising), when I expressed my opinion that the shipping was "outrageous" he told me to hold, upon which a very nice lady picked up, she and I had a cordial talk, in which she agreed it was a ridiculous charge given the lot value. As do most AH's in the city, they use an outside shipper and don't have direct control, but we shall see.