SCP Auctions and shipping cost

[thehoodedcoder]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

In fairness I would expect the 20% (or so) Buyer's Premium to cover some of that, not the S&H.

that is what makes it a free market. much like all of the other pricing that gets discussed....you can chose to take your business else where or pay the price that it costs to do business with a particular business.

i don't really see much point in arguing really about the whole thing. the prices are listed on the webiste. you sign up and agree to pay a price when you knowingly bid on a card.

its almost like bitching about how TGIF fridays doesn't have cheaper hamburgers after you bought and ate your hamburger.

go to mcdonalds and pick yourself up a quarter pounder. you know they are cheaper there. they even ship your burger to you through a window.

kevin

[cyseymour]

UPS is ridiculously overpriced. I don't think that if there is a package for $17 that it actually goes to the shipping department and paying the guy's salary, or any of their other expenses. I would bet that the $17 goes straight to UPS. Considering the cost of UPS, I doubt that SCP makes much if any money off of shipping.

But, Dan makes some good points that it is insensitive to the "little guy" who might just want one card. The auction houses would do better to send packages under $1000 via USPS. It would be better for the small collector. Yet that is not where the profit lies for the large auction houses, so they will cater their systems to the large purchasers who spend large sums, and if that means going with UPS, then that is what they will do.

[RCMcKenzie]

I have sold cards on occassion on ebay since 1998. I learned that it is just easier to ship for free. Bidders factor in the free shipping and the lots sell for a little more. It's easier than explaining that my Maserati only gets 8 miles to the gallon and I live a long way from a post office.

[wonkaticket]

Dan, I’m sort of tired of explaining this to you. I have said time and time again my fuel charge to run and ship something out for you isn’t cheap.

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

If it annoys you enough, stop bidding in the auction. If you continue bidding you are implicitly agreeing to these shipping charges. If so, stop whining.

+1!!!!!!

Joe T.

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by autograf

Ok.....now you did it..........

You're badmouthing UPS! They've put food on my table for 29 years........
(actually, WAY too much food, but that's another story)

You can badmouth SCP but not UPS!

Joking.....although I work there, they're not high on my list right now since they zilched my wife's healthcare. Also another story.

Everyone should use USPS for single cards. They don't have to make money so they charge a lot less. They have no shareholders.

The frustration is just so unlike you..............

Pretty much most healthcare is gone. Mine too.

Joe

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

John--think about it for a second. If I ship a $200 card at the post office (the cheapest way to ship one card) and insure it it will cost me about $5. The mailer cost me $1. The gas driving to and from the post office from my current house would cost me about $2 (this doesn't count wear and tear on my car), and this all takes about 45 minutes of my time (you figure out how to value that). What I am saying is that for you or me mailing a card worth $200 it will effectively cost us over $12. The big auction house has to pay for shipping materials, a shipping manager, etc. No matter how much you think the auction house may be ripping you off, I would bet that the shipping area, as a profit center, is a net loser.
Now, you can argue that the buyer's premium should be paying for this. However, that premium must cover all the auction house salaries (except the shipping manager who we already accounted for), insurance, rent, travel to find consignments, entertainment, interest costs on advances, systems work, etc. Remember, virtually no consignor pays a consignment fee any more. In fact, big consignors typically get a kickback from the buyer's commission on their lots. All I'm saying is that this is not a business model that churns out money. It is not unreasonable for auction houses to cover their total shipping costs.

+1

Joe

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

John--think about it for a second. If I ship a $200 card at the post office (the cheapest way to ship one card) and insure it it will cost me about $5. The mailer cost me $1. The gas driving to and from the post office from my current house would cost me about $2 (this doesn't count wear and tear on my car), and this all takes about 45 minutes of my time (you figure out how to value that). What I am saying is that for you or me mailing a card worth $200 it will effectively cost us over $12. The big auction house has to pay for shipping materials, a shipping manager, etc. No matter how much you think the auction house may be ripping you off, I would bet that the shipping area, as a profit center, is a net loser.
Now, you can argue that the buyer's premium should be paying for this. However, that premium must cover all the auction house salaries (except the shipping manager who we already accounted for), insurance, rent, travel to find consignments, entertainment, interest costs on advances, systems work, etc. Remember, virtually no consignor pays a consignment fee any more. In fact, big consignors typically get a kickback from the buyer's commission on their lots. All I'm saying is that this is not a business model that churns out money. It is not unreasonable for auction houses to cover their total shipping costs.

Jay - well said. Interestingly enough, there are individuals complaining about a few extra shipping cost bucks that set up at card shows and substantiate their seemingly high sticker prices due to the card show's overall overhead (table costs, gas, hotels, meals, etc. - which I TOTALLY agree with). Yet, these same individuals seem to conveniently dismiss the auction houses overhead as if their winning lots are magically packed and handled at ZERO costs??? Remember folks, the FINAL shipping fee is CLEARLY listed as shipping, handling and insurance....NOT JUST SHIPPING.

Joe T.

[bobbyw8469]

Remember folks, the FINAL shipping fee is CLEARLY listed as shipping, handling and insurance....NOT JUST SHIPPING.

Most of the bidders bid on ALL the various auction houses. I think what has happened is that some of the auction houses (Sterling with their speedy shipments and refunding of fees, REA with their FREE shipping, etc), has spoiled some of us bidders. So when someone charges what is perceived as an obscene amount (and yes, everyone knows what is acceptable), it infuriates some of us.

[npa589]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Most of the bidders bid on ALL the various auction houses. I think what has happened is that some of the auction houses (Sterling with their speedy shipments and refunding of fees, REA with their FREE shipping, etc), has spoiled some of us bidders. So when someone charges what is perceived as an obscene amount (and yes, everyone knows what is acceptable), it infuriates some of us.

This is true in a way, but it could also be looked at as intelligent people starting AHs to compete with the AHs who used to monopolize the hobby, and to compete, they're making alterations to aspects of their venture according to what they thought was wrong (is wrong) with the said AHs. So, due to the success of these new AHs, the largest ones are going to need to start matching the level of personalized customer service, and non-inflated S&H costs - or this "bad publicity" (truth) is going to really begin to affect them. It's simple business. If Dan feels it, though he may announce it differently, he is speaking the thoughts of many bidders.

[David R]

I get more annoyed having to see the same ridiculously priced BIN cards cluttering up eBay for literally years and this includes many of Dan's cards.


Dav.id Re.is

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Vintageclout

Jay - well said. Interestingly enough, there are individuals complaining about a few extra shipping cost bucks that set up at card shows and substantiate their seemingly high sticker prices due to the card show's overall overhead (table costs, gas, hotels, meals, etc. - which I TOTALLY agree with). Yet, these same individuals seem to conveniently dismiss the auction houses overhead as if their winning lots are magically packed and handled at ZERO costs???

I agree with the intent of your comment, but it's not quite 100% accurate. Now IF the shipping fee was including in the BP, then it would be the pot calling the kettle black. However the difference is that the shipping fee is IN ADDITION TO the BP, so it's not an apples-to-apples comparison.

Would you be happy if also added "S&H from the AH where I bought the stuff" to the list their overall overhead?

Originally Posted by Vintageclout

Remember folks, the FINAL shipping fee is CLEARLY listed as shipping, handling and insurance....NOT JUST SHIPPING.
Joe T.

I think the point is (or should be) that the "shipping, handling and insurance" tends to be a "surprise" number with many AHs and is "CLEARLY listed" AFTER the fact of purchase. Some just have a general weasel-word description mentioning "reasonable costs" regarding S&H. The real question/debate is around "what is reasonable".

[tschock]

Originally Posted by David R

I get more annoyed having to see the same ridiculously priced BIN cards cluttering up eBay for literally years and this includes many of Dan's cards.

David, Did it ever occur to you that maybe that's how you sit on several million dollars worth of cards?

[ValKehl]

I have long felt that most of the big auction houses with the glossy catalogs and large BPs charge too much for shipping. And, I have assumed this is due to (1) their refusal/reluctance to ship via the USPS, which is usually the most economical method, and (2) their intent to recoup ALL of their costs associated with shipping from their charges to the winning bidders.

I strongly feel (not that any of these AHs care what I feel) that their shipping charges should cover ONLY outside costs (and not their inside costs, such as a shipping manager - these inside costs should be covered by the BP!). I believe this is what most of the online-only AHs, such as B&L and Sterling, strive to do, and I applaud them for this.

Some have suggested that I stop bidding with the big AHs that "overcharge" for shipping. But, of course, I can't bring myself to do this because the "stuff" trumps everything. But, I do very definitely take the BP and shipping charges into account when I bid. In other words, if the exact same card were in both a SCP auction and a B&L/Sterling auction, I would bid higher for this card in the B&L/Sterling auction, so that my total cost would be the same with either auction.
Val

[whiteymet]

Back to Dan's point on SCP customer service.

I have called twice and emailed twice in the last two weeks with a question about a lot in one of SCP's auctions.

So far no response! I guess if they don't reply to a current buying customer what chance do I (a past customer) have of getting a reply?

[buymycards]

Remember who really is the loser in these auctions - the consigner. If I know that I will have to pay a 20% buying fee and 20 bucks shipping for 1 $200 card, I will factor that into my bidding. That $60 in fees that goes to the AH comes right out of the consigners pocket.

Rick

[Rich Klein]

For his cards at the National, he should be able to absorb all these costs.

[bobbyw8469]

I will gladly give you $350 today for a Koufax rookie worth $600 tomorrow!!

[Rich Klein]

In your case, isn't it a Ryan Rookie

[timn1]

Originally Posted by tschock

David, Did it ever occur to you that maybe that's how you sit on several million dollars worth of cards?

LMFAO --

PS: Dan, my friend, you can spare the $17 -- better than those blood vessels you're about to blow.

[bobbyw8469]

Rich....You are so right!! I have a Topps rookie SGC A!!! Can I PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE show it to you?? PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE!!! LOL!

[Rich Klein]

We all love to see new acquistisions. And I know you got grief on CU, which is why I put the smiley face next to my post.

in all seriousness, that card presents well and I'd be happy to own a similar copy

Rich

[CaramelMan]

Originally Posted by autograf

It seems like many of them have set a floor for shipping charges and instances where folks buy a single card or a small lot, it seems like you're getting the shaft on shipping. Having worked for UPS for almost 30 years, I can tell you it's not cheap to ship stuff. Also owned a UPS store for about four years, so the packing side of it is tough too.

Legendary is the best packers in the industry. Period. They use top notch stuff, bought new, and don't scrimp on materials. What does that mean to the single card guy...not that much probably but they do a great job packing. REA and Heritage are top notch too. The smaller auctions don't spend the money that these big guys do on packing materials and don't have accounts with UPS or FedEx, use USPS, so it's tough to compare the two.

Regardless, like Jay said.....if you don't like it, voice your displeasure and if you don't get satisfaction, don't bid next time. Don't hesitate to tell them that's why you're not bidding as well. I agree with Jay on that whole they may be making a buck or two here, they're losing it there..,.you just hate to be the guy that feels like they're making it off of you all the time....

I got a winning lot from Love Of the Game Auctions, and it was packed GREAT...maybe even overpacked! so even some smaller guys ship nicely