Requesting Better Shipping Methods From An Auction House. Tips?

[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.