Requesting Better Shipping Methods From An Auction House. Tips?

[BeanTown]

Many times, I’ve asked the AH to ship the cheapest way possible which they do and have lowered my shipping cost. I’ve complained about this for years, but every time I hear an AH saying they are charging me actual cost with insurance I just laugh. They are passing on absorbent costs from the shippers (fedex, ups, usps). All legit AHs need to have a third party private insurance policy where everything ships air delivery w/adult signature.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by BeanTown

Many times, I’ve asked the AH to ship the cheapest way possible which they do and have lowered my shipping cost. I’ve complained about this for years, but every time I hear an AH saying they are charging me actual cost with insurance I just laugh. They are passing on absorbent costs from the shippers (fedex, ups, usps). All legit AHs need to have a third party private insurance policy where everything ships air delivery w/adult signature.

I would guess most companies DO have third party insurance. Ours costs us well over 5 figures annually. We pass that cost on in our shipping at a VERY reduced rate over what your would pay for coverage from USPS, UPS or FED EX, that likely wouldn't even work if you tried to file a claim.

The idea that auction companies should do everything for free never gets old...

[sycks22]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

I would guess most companies DO have third party insurance. Ours costs us well over 5 figures annually. We pass that cost on in our shipping at a VERY reduced rate over what your would pay for coverage from USPS, UPS or FED EX, that likely wouldn't even work if you tried to file a claim.

The idea that auction companies should do everything for free never gets old...

Not saying you're wrong, but let's just say you spend 10k-15k in insurance per year. I can guarantee most auction houses aren't only charging 10k-15k per year to their customers. I'm saying if a larger auction house had 1000 lots and some winners are paying $100-$300 for insurance per invoice that's well over 10k/year and also most larger auction house have 2-5 huge auctions a year.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by sycks22

Not saying you're wrong, but let's just say you spend 10k-15k in insurance per year. I can guarantee most auction houses aren't only charging 10k-15k per year to their customers. I'm saying if a larger auction house had 1000 lots and some winners are paying $100-$300 for insurance per invoice that's well over 10k/year and also most larger auction house have 2-5 huge auctions a year.

Obviously I can't speak for every auction, but my accountant complains each year that we are getting killed on shipping. We charge actual shipping, no insurance under $400, and the aforementioned HIGHLY reduced rate for over $400 and $5 for time and materials.

Well that $5 is a joke as one box, some tape, packing materials, paper, ink and 5 minutes of packing time and we're already way past that. We lose money every year in shipping so if I make up a few pesos of that loss on the excellent insurance we provide (again Fed EX and UPS won't even honor their own insurance on collectibles over $1000 even though they'll SELL you more than $1000 worth and then apologize later) I don't feel guilty.

EDITED TO ADD: Oh and while we are losing money shipping we still get the occasional shipping cost complaint.