SCP Auctions and shipping cost

[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 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

[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

[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".