SCP Auctions and shipping cost

[bigwinnerx]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I can't think of a single auction house that hasn't been raked over the coals here, or that hasn't had at least one forum member say that they will never do business with them again. Maybe Leland's?

I hear Brockelman and Luckey Auctions are top notch.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by bigwinnerx

I hear Brockelman and Luckey Auctions are top notch.

Bwahahahahah!!!!! (I made Travis one of the 100 with veto powers)

[Edwolf1963]

I had same issue and posted about it a couple weeks ago with Legendary - basically $20 to ship one card under $400 value. To me the point isn't a few bucks - it's the principle. The feeling of being chiseled, ripped-off. Like some low-ball tactic to add to your bottom line - as if 19% juice isn't enough to cover you?

You feel good about paying "resort fees" at dumpy hotels, and for services you never used? Cab drivers that want to charge you an extra $5 if you use a CC? Having the waitress refill your Diet Coke glass a few times, then seeing $13 for soda on the bill bcse they charge by the glass and somehow never mentioned it to you? Most of those are minor in terms of actual dollar amount - - and at least some you can see coming. This tactic is "surprise!" "hey, we got you!" Like roaming changes. Especially in the wake of most auction houses charging fair and customary for s&h.

The worst was Legendary's excuse when I asked. BS "handling fees", "we box everything" (so do most), and then the ever-loving calling out competitors excuse and saying they get it from me in other ways, "believe me.."

That was enough, I said stop - OK, fine - just stop! Keep it, keep it - it obviously means more to you than me, so stick it up your a$$

I sent the check the next day (which they received 9/3 and as of 9/11 it still sits, no ship notice). No big to-do, threats, etc. - just like the restaurant with bad food/service - I will leave a few bad reviews, avoid, move on, they don't care. No big deal - I'm sure eBay will tell you it happens to them every day

[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.

[Edwolf1963]

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.

I think that's what I said - stopped arguing it, paid it, will avoid in the future, move on .. I haven't continued to bid, this only happened couple weeks ago in their last auction.

[ZenPop]

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.

I don't think it's such a bad thing that this is brought into the daylight and discussed. People should be made aware of over-priced shipping charges and people who charge them should be made aware that there is anger about it.

If enough people get upset about it and the company is concerned with its reputation enough... change will occur. Having said that, your point is also good that if everyone complains but keeps fishing in the same pool, there's little incentive for the AH to do anything about it.

...did that cover everything?... ha ha

[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.

[ZenPop]

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.

Well... if they had explained it the way you just did, there probably wouldn't be as much anger... right? I don't really have a dog in this fight, because I rarely have enough extra cash to bid on something... but I never like the feeling of being ripped off (it doesn't matter about the amount). I have zero problem paying what at first glance seems like a ripoff, if the explanation makes sense. It's also common sense and makes for good customer service. How tough is it to write a rote response and attach it with the bill explaining the reason for the cost? Cut and paste. Done. ...and a hell of lot less anger.

That's just my $200. (originally two cents, adjusted for inflation and time to write this.)

[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.

[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.

[earlywynnfan]

On the flip side, I had the most eye-popping transaction ever with Legendary. I won a lot of almost 600 autographed baseballs, and the shipping charge (for two huge boxes that almost gave me a hernia) was 25 bucks. I am still stunned to this day.

Ken