Where do auction houses come up with their shipping charges?

[z28jd]

I won a $100 card from the last Goodwin auction and thought the $8.20 shipping they charged was a bit high, not high enough to complain but just something extra and I'll be darned if the shipping cost wasn't exactly $8.20 when I got it last night...they didn't even add for any handling

[sycks22]

Originally Posted by z28jd

I won a $100 card from the last Goodwin auction and thought the $8.20 shipping they charged was a bit high, not high enough to complain but just something extra and I'll be darned if the shipping cost wasn't exactly $8.20 when I got it last night...they didn't even add for any handling

Goodwin has always been amazingly close on shipping. I just got a package from them today via USPS priority insured and they charged me $7 I believe. Priority with any insurance would be $10, so they actually probably took a hit on the shipping. They have overnighted Fedex packages to me in the past where they charged $20 to ship and they were huge packages. Overnighting a 2 ounce letter costs $30

[Runscott]

As much as I griped about Heritage, I should say this: I won a rare hat from them and they only charged $14.60 for shipping - that's about what I charge, including insurance, when I ship a hat across country. So not bad.

[skelly]

Other than Robert Edwards, I'm surprised people even consign to auction houses. Personally from what I've seen, the ebay auction prices that PWCC gets online outperform the auction houses day in and day out. I think the auction house client base is limited. Personally I'll buy stuff on ebay, but I can't be bothered to register with an auction house.

[sycks22]

Originally Posted by skelly

Other than Robert Edwards, I'm surprised people even consign to auction houses. Personally from what I've seen, the ebay auction prices that PWCC gets online outperform the auction houses day in and day out. I think the auction house client base is limited. Personally I'll buy stuff on ebay, but I can't be bothered to register with an auction house.

Pros of the auction houses are:

1. You actually feel confident that the cases aren't cracked open.
2. You're confident you'll actually get your package.

Would you really feel confident buying anything over $5k from ebay? 80% of those cards are stolen scans. You don't hear stories from auction houses sending you an empy package and claiming there was a card in there.

[HRBAKER]

80% of the cards listed on ebay @ $5,000 and over are fraudulent listings with stolen scans?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

80% of the cards listed on ebay @ $5,000 and over are fraudulent listings with stolen scans?

actually only 78.5%.....and truth be known if it is really more than 2% I would be shocked. My guess would be less than 1% but it does happen,...

and to answer the question on shipping charges...Our little auction company barely breaks even, if we even do, on shipping and insurance.

[sycks22]

My point was that you're taking a huge risk buying a real expensive card on ebay unless the buyer has thousands of feedback. There's no risk with auction houses.