Why Do Auction Houses Get A Free Pass When They Charge Excessive Shipping?

I'm not sure exactly what you're implying here. If it's that I'm somehow lying or making things up, I do not appreciate that assumption. I'm not some drive-by troll. I believe I've been here long enough to be given the benefit of the doubt. Additionally, I'm not the one hiding their real identity from members here, so for you to be calling me out is a bit hypocritical, is it not?

If it makes any difference at all, here is both the package and the invoice. It is exactly what I stated in my original post. I was charged $10 more than you for a hammer total less than 1/3 yours. I'm glad you get a discount that makes the shipping costs reasonable; apparently they don't do that for all of their customers.

It's characterized as "insurance and shipping fee," not "postage," so I don't think you'll get anywhere with this. They can contend that their costs for insurance and shipping, which includes the time of someone to do data entry and prepare the package, not just postage, are $18.25 at prevailing local wage rates. The rest of us know that they are hiding margin in there, but it's common for businesses to do this. So you'll have to decide whether to do business with them again or not, because they are not likely to reduce it based on the precedent it will set. FWIW, I'm pretty sure I've paid them the same $25-27 on $2,000 hammer lots so the only way to help yourself is to make larger aggregate purchases.

I guess I have to reverse myself on this--they do get a pass, because of the way the fee is characterized.

One thing that hasn't come up in this discussion is the possibility that this was simply an honest mistake. Someone hit the wrong key when generating the invoice perhaps. Why not pick up the phone and call them? Whereas an email can be ignored or hidden from, a phone call cannot. And besides, if that really is their charge, at least you'll be able to vent directly at the source!

The comments are all on point, although I don't necessarily agree with all of them. At the end of the day, auction houses can charge whatever they like and it's up to the buyer as to whether they are willing to pay it or not. We're a captive audience.

I just wish that (1) auction houses were more transparent about their shipping/insurance/handling fee schedules and published them openly, (2) the auction houses were consistent in their application of fees, and (3) the same level of "benefit of the doubt" or "free pass" was given to more than just auction houses.

I completely sympathize. Issue (1) in many states constitutes breach of contract and/or a deceptive consumer practice, so you can always play that card and do a credit card chargeback if it bothers you. Of course, you have to determine whether your time is worth getting $16 back. The auction house is betting you'll decide it's not. And all of us have a threshold of pain for this. If they tried to push $40 on me, I would definitely do a chargeback if one phone call did not result in reduction.

I posted the text below from Kelleher's Conditions of sale but the conversation went on. The terms were accepted when you purchased the item. Nothing was hidden. You may not like it but it is what you agreed to.

Kelleher Conditions of Sale 4.c

"All charges for handling, delivery and insurance obtained by Kelleher on behalf of the purchaser shall be added to the purchase price; a minimum charge of $20.00 will be made. Risk of loss in transit shall be on the purchaser."

It may have been "agreed to", but that doesn't make it right. To clarify, I am NOT considering doing a credit card chargeback as some here are suggesting. I just won't purchase from them again.

I also find it interesting that the invoice says "Insurance and shipping", but the terms you quote state "Risk of loss in transit shall be on the purchaser" which implies that no insurance is included in their fees... so which is it? Are they charging for insurance and at the same time not providing it? If an ebay seller had terms like this, they would be raked over the coals.

Based on floortrader's invoice vs. mine, they are just randomly assessing shipping/handling/insurance/profit fees, some above and some below their self-stated minimum charge.

Caveat emptor.

revenue collector - the real culprit here is the USPS. They ruined the collectibility of three high denomination stamps.

I agree that it can be ridiculous whether a retailer, ebay or otherwise, or an auction house states that shipping and handling is some silly amount. The loss thing is CYA for Kelleher. I would guess that they have had a person or two claim that something that was delivered was not in the envelope etc.. It can be a wicked World.

I note also, both lots from Kelleher to members here, were subject to the Marker monkey, one could assume from which Post office they came from?
One wonders if all their mail is subject to this.



This confuses me a little, personally I would prefer "Certified Mail" over Registered Mail.
Reasoning, if the merchandise fails to arrive, one can easily claim back with paypal.
Could any members explain why Registered mail is preferred in US please?

My bad experience with this was with Phoenix Auctions. I would have to find the invoice to post all the charges- shipping, separate handling, packaging, and at least 1 or 2 others. I think in the end fees came to about $60, over and above their 19.25% commission. And none of this is in their Ts & Cs:

http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/c...x.sh/terms.w

Not bidding with them again.

I bid once in A Kelleher auction, only won one small lot and was also overcharged for shipping, learned my lesson and never bid with them again.

What we refer to as "Registered Mail" here is different from how it is defined in other countries, and is also handled differently.

Registered Mail sent and received within the United States is the single safest domestic USPS shipping method. Parcels are logged and under lock and key at every step along the journey.

Registered mail coming in from other countries is not handled or tracked as strictly as domestic Registered Mail shipments. Registered mail originating in the U.S. and going to another country is kept under lock and key until it leaves the U.S., at which point it is subject to whatever handling policies are in place in the countries it travels through.

It really only makes sense for a U.S. shipper to use Registered Mail for domestic shipments. It also has cheaper insurance rates and higher maximum indemnity ($50,000 I believe) due to the increased security.

Here is the Invoice if your going to cry about shipping ,this should shut everybody up ......lol......
......{p.s. don't buy a pallet of stamps for a friend to sell on ebay . }

Thank you.
Here in Australia, personally, I care less about tracking, than signature of receipt.
I like to have proof something does not arrive, certified mail achieves that here.

I recently felt similar postage was exhorbitant with Australian "Millenium Auctions", until the goods arrived, the postage was smack on, to the cent.
leaving me nonplussed .

My dealer in the US often overcharges, not a great deal, but quotes with pages, then sends some stamps removed and into glassine.
I make a qualified decision to remain loyal, as the benefits of his stock, outweigh the expense.
As you, no response to complaint some time ago, so I just deal with it.

Let's see if you get a response at all.