Christie's Baseball Auction question

[ramram]

I'm looking through Christie's auction. Haven't ever bid in one of their auctions before and I'm guessing I won't ever. They have several nice photos that are tempting. They have an Estimated Cost Calculator that let's you know exactly what to expect to pay, which is nice. Bidder's Fee, at a healthy but not unusual 25%, and a reasonable shipping insurance fee. Then it gets REAL ugly. Shipping Cost. For, say, a single 8"x10" photo they estimate a shipping cost of $147!! Several items of similar size come up with the same cost or more. They can charge whatever they want, especially since they put it in front of you, but it's still a hell of a scam in my opinion. I emailed them twice about it to see if it had any merit since it says "estimated" cost but from their canned responses, it appears that's what they would stick you with. Has anybody else had experiences with them to know if this is true?

Rhys, help me out here - I'm guessing you could just about ship your whole monster collection for that price.

Rob M

[TCMA]

I just registered yesterday and visited the auction gallery on Sunday. Incredible collection of items and it was fun just to browse around. I was also the only person there and really took my time.

[darwinbulldog]

I know $147 sounds steep, but they put the photo inside a photo mailer, put the photo mailer inside a cardboard box, and put the cardboard box inside a vintage pinball machine.

[TCMA]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

I know $147 sounds steep, but they put the photo inside a photo mailer, put the photo mailer inside a cardboard box, and put the cardboard box inside a vintage pinball machine.

Lol, that'll do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ramram]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

I know $147 sounds steep, but they put the photo inside a photo mailer, put the photo mailer inside a cardboard box, and put the cardboard box inside a vintage pinball machine.

lmao

[Shoeless Moe]

HA!!!!!!!

[scooter729]

And no combined shipping if you win more than one. So 2 photos = $300. OUCH.

I'm already figuring out if I end up with a few items, how to get down from Boston to NYC for a day and pick up in person. It'll certainly save a bunch of $$ to do so!

[drcy]

I think Christies is used to shipping $5 million paintings to Dubai not 1957 Topps to Omaha.

[gnaz01]

Yup, I was "told" in another thread about this subject if I have to question $164 in shipping charges for an 8x10 photo, I probably should not be bidding....