Auction House Shipping Question

[Topnotchsy]

Hey all,

I recently won a couple of Cobb signed checks at Julien's auction. A few days after winning the auction I got an email from a packing company with an estimate $150 for packing and shipping the item without insurance. With the option of paying additional for insurance.

I emailed the auction house to see if there were other options. They gave me the info of a couple of other packing companies in the area to get quotes. I tried reaching out to one but never heard back.

Has anyone ever dealt with a situation like this? I seem to recall Sotheby's had extremely high shipping rates. I don't understand why they can't just drop the checks into a priority mail envelope. It's not so complicated.

In the past I bought from Julien's and this wasn't how shipping was handled.

[Bicem]

Because they are making money off the shipping.

I'd call and keep complaining until they make it reasonable. Still not as bad as Christie's!

[rlevy]

Jeff,

I could pick it up in Culver City and ship to you priority mail, but I believe then you would have to pay 10.25% sales tax.

Rick

[Jim65]

$150 to ship a few pieces of paper and insurance is not included? I would tell them to stick it up their ass.

[buymycards]

Lots of bad reviews on Yelp.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/juliens-auctions-culver-city-2

Take a look at this one:

https://www.teammichaeljackson.com/archives/7476

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by rlevy

Jeff,

I could pick it up in Culver City and ship to you priority mail, but I believe then you would have to pay 10.25% sales tax.

Rick

2 blocks from my office and never knew they were there.

[bobbyw8469]

Those Yelp reviews are horrid. Julien's is off the list for me.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by rlevy

Jeff,

I could pick it up in Culver City and ship to you priority mail, but I believe then you would have to pay 10.25% sales tax.

Rick

I really appreciate that, but the taxes would prob mitigate the cost savings on shipping. Super nice though.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Because they are making money off the shipping.

I'd call and keep complaining until they make it reasonable. Still not as bad as Christie's!

+1

[Shoeless Moe]

Wait...why can't you pay for your items, then have someone go in and pick them up, then ship out to you?

I actually do that myself with an auction house that is over the border from me. I get the invoice, pay for it w/o any shipping charge, tell them to hold the item for pickup. Then go and pick up. I don't pay any shipping.


Pay for it w/o the shipping and tell them to hold for pickup. Then have a board member go in and get your items.

I'm confused.....which isn't unusual.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Wait...why can't you pay for your items, then have someone go in and pick them up, then ship out to you?

I actually do that myself with an auction house that is over the border from me. I get the invoice, pay for it w/o any shipping charge, tell them to hold the item for pickup. Then go and pick up. I don't pay any shipping.


Pay for it w/o the shipping and tell them to hold for pickup. Then have a board member go in and get your items.

I'm confused.....which isn't unusual.

Paul, if I do that, do I have to pay taxes for the local pickup? That was what tripped me up.

[Shoeless Moe]

I wouldn't think so, but email or call them and say can I pay for this with a check or credit card or however you are going to pay in advance and then can you hold it for me, I will have a friend come in and pick up. If they say all good then I think you are all good.

I've always just paid the invoice price just like it was being shipped but they deduct the shipping charge. I'm never then charged any in-state tax on the invoice or at time of pickup.

To me it seems the same as if they then use one of their shippers. What's the difference they have a shipping co. come in pick it up (and your not paying any taxes) why couldn't a friend or relative do the same?