Heritage Shipping

[ullmandds]

Received email notification today my winnings were shipped

[Yoda]

I may, just may, retire from Heritage auctions. First, I find their people among the most knowledgeable in the business, most of those on the prewar card stuff I at least have a passing relationship with and are most congenial. And their offerings are just about the best in the business. But, and it is a big but, I don't think I can afford to play anymore. It isn't so much what I pay for the item(s) won or the vig, that's their bread and butter, it is the sales tax of 6.5% for Florida, the shipping I won't comment on except, as their packages are so carefully wrapped, I'm sure it is more handling than shipping cost, But
today I went to pay them at just about the same time my cards from the last auction arrived (great marketing strategy or what? Makes you feel like a special customer) and found out a new cost add-on, using a credit/debit card will be another 3% and no Ebay. For the cards and memorabilia I seek, it just might add up to be too much.
REA, on the other hand, where many of us are players, has auction terms much more too my liking.
I don't understand why a big successful AH like Heritage can't eat the 3% for those long term customers like myself and other Net 54'ers that small of an amount when looking at the entire transaction.

[robertsmithnocure]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I may, just may, retire from Heritage auctions. First, I find their people among the most knowledgeable in the business, most of those on the prewar card stuff I at least have a passing relationship with and are most congenial. And their offerings are just about the best in the business. But, and it is a big but, I don't think I can afford to play anymore. It isn't so much what I pay for the item(s) won or the vig, that's their bread and butter, it is the sales tax of 6.5% for Florida, the shipping I won't comment on except, as their packages are so carefully wrapped, I'm sure it is more handling than shipping cost, But
today I went to pay them at just about the same time my cards from the last auction arrived (great marketing strategy or what? Makes you feel like a special customer) and found out a new cost add-on, using a credit/debit card will be another 3% and no Ebay. For the cards and memorabilia I seek, it just might add up to be too much.
REA, on the other hand, where many of us are players, has auction terms much more too my liking.
I don't understand why a big successful AH like Heritage can't eat the 3% for those long term customers like myself and other Net 54'ers that small of an amount when looking at the entire transaction.

I understand your frustration, but I am not really following what exactly you are complaining about. Is it the 3% that you are being charged for using a credit card? If so, do any of the other large auction houses allow you to use one without a fee?

[RedsFan1941]

most auction houses won’t even accept credit cards, and at least one that does charges a higher buyers premium if you do.

[Rich Falvo]

Does it depend on the type of auction or amount? I've won items in two recent Heritage weekly auctions and wasn't charged extra for using a credit card. They did offer a discount for paying by e-check.

[Yoda]

The amount of items won was just over $6,000, so my use of a debit card to settle my account was about $200, money I really didn't want to added to my total bill. If you have used your credit card without having the charge I incurred added, then there is a lack of equity here and I am really pissed. Not right.

[x2drich2000]

i'm really not sure where you're getting the 3% credit card fee from. The only 3% fee I found in Heritage's T&C is for late payment. I have never been charged a cc fee and I have used my credit card through Paypal for the last several auctions I've won from them. If they are charging you an extra fee, give them a call on Monday and find out why. I know I'd really like to know. I do know many of the other auction houses that have started accepting Paypal now give a discount on the buyers premium if you don't use Paypal, but that's not the case with Heritage. Perhaps that's what you mean by being charged a fee? Also since you brought up REA as having more favorable terms, keep in mind they do not accept credit cards.

I will agree with you that their shipping does seem on the higher end, however, Heritage also does an exceptional job stating very clearly how the S&H is calculated before you even bid. I won less than 40 graded cards for a little over $2k and shipping was about $39. The packaging is absolutely bomb proof, each of the 2 lots was individually boxed and put into a larger box about the size of a small microwave.

DJ

[bensie]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I may, just may, retire from Heritage auctions. First, I find their people among the most knowledgeable in the business, most of those on the prewar card stuff I at least have a passing relationship with and are most congenial. And their offerings are just about the best in the business. But, and it is a big but, I don't think I can afford to play anymore. It isn't so much what I pay for the item(s) won or the vig, that's their bread and butter, it is the sales tax of 6.5% for Florida, the shipping I won't comment on except, as their packages are so carefully wrapped, I'm sure it is more handling than shipping cost, But
today I went to pay them at just about the same time my cards from the last auction arrived (great marketing strategy or what? Makes you feel like a special customer) and found out a new cost add-on, using a credit/debit card will be another 3% and no Ebay. For the cards and memorabilia I seek, it just might add up to be too much.
REA, on the other hand, where many of us are players, has auction terms much more too my liking.
I don't understand why a big successful AH like Heritage can't eat the 3% for those long term customers like myself and other Net 54'ers that small of an amount when looking at the entire transaction.

I don't get it, why don't you just pay by eCheck? I get a 1% discount for paying that way.

[Yoda]

Simply because I wanted to use my credit card when I couldn't use Pay Pal and didn't want to write any kind of check. It seemed reasonable to me, and if Heritage didn't want to eat the 3% charged by Visa then that is just a business decision that is hardly customer friendly. I believe they are big enough with real deep pockets to afford it. Sometimes business models need to be tweaked.

[jcc6252]

There is not a 3% credit card charge below $2,500. Above it, there is. Like others, my biggest complaint is the shipping. I don't care how well packed the cards are, they simply gouge you, especially for small purchases. I also don't like the fact that they have used USPS free boxes inside their outside box, that's illegal.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Simply because I wanted to use my credit card when I couldn't use Pay Pal and didn't want to write any kind of check. It seemed reasonable to me, and if Heritage didn't want to eat the 3% charged by Visa then that is just a business decision that is hardly customer friendly. I believe they are big enough with real deep pockets to afford it. Sometimes business models need to be tweaked.

The reason that most retail businesses or restaurants eat the credit card fees is because they are generally operating with gross margins at 50% or better. An auction house is working with a gross margin as low as 20%, so “eating” 3 pts represents a significant (15%) profit hit. Big or small, it wouldn’t be fiscally prudent to take that hit off the top.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

The reason that most retail businesses or restaurants eat the credit card fees is because they are generally operating with gross margins at 50% or better. An auction house is working with a gross margin as low as 20%, so “eating” 3 pts represents a significant (15%) profit hit. Big or small, it wouldn’t be fiscally prudent to take that hit off the top.

Sam, good point. But for me when I add up all the extras, it is hard to be a competitive bidder, particularly when you consider a Fl sales tax of 6.5% and now to pay another 3% for the privilege of using my Visa card. Heritage has my money, rightfully so, but there are many who always will wait until the last minute and send in a paper check without penalty.

[robertsmithnocure]

Originally Posted by Yoda

...it is hard to be a competitive bidder, particularly when you consider a Fl sales tax of 6.5%...

John - everyone has to live by their state's laws. Whether Heritage collects the state tax or you pay it yourself, what does it matter?