Thanks, Mr. Spock, for adressing the logic of my argument.
At first you shoot it down, and then you reiterate it! The only issue is the
definition of "expensive". Since the cost is fixed (about $10) and not
dependent on the cost of the item -- the cost becomes insignificant as the
poster becomes more expensive. For me, the break even point is about $50 --
and so I've stopped looking at stuff much cheaper than that.
Your point about 2 auctions with different shipping is bogus -- and i am sure
you knew it when you typed it! This case does not happen for vintage posters
-- certainly on eBay. The posters are different, the dealers are different,
and the end times are different, etc. And suppose the one with Free shipping
closes AFTER the one with $10 shipping -- are you going to pass on the first
Maltese Falcoln so that you can save $10 (and what happens if the first one
goes cheap, because everyone else is waiting for the second? how would you feel
then!).
This is the auction problem! How do you order the lots in order to get the
buyers to pay the most for them. A related problem is how to bid on items at
an auction when you have fixed amount of money and the items you are interested
do not appear in the order of your preference!
As for Heritage -- the issue is not the cost of shipping, but rather the
buyer's premium -- which as well all know is NOT fixed, but rather grows as the
cost of the item grows.
Finally, this is not a "logical" issue. If it was, then all auction houses
would bundle the fees together, and when the auctioneer says sold for $100, you
would get the item (including shipping to your home) for $100. Obviously the
houses understand that you will pay more if they itemize -- otherwise they
would strive for simplicity and clarity. Not to mention they would only have
to explain to the consigners that they were only getting 60% of the hammer!
Evan
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Claude Litton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Evan's reply is illogical when he states that he does not factor the cost of
shipping into what he will pay for a poster. If what he says is true then he
must only bid on very expensive posters but I doubt that because as an example
he cites $50 for a poster. At that price postage is a definite factor to be
considered. In any case, shipping is a cost to be considered. He states that
regardless of the shipping he will not pay $51 if he made up his mind to bid
$50.
I ask him--------If two posters are up for auction that you want and are
willing to pay $50 for each----------Will you bid exactly $50 for each if one
states shipping is $10 and the other states shipping is Free?
I just purchased two posters at auctions. I paid $727 for a poster from Bruce
H and I never factored shipping in while I was bidding. Postage for this
poster was irrelevant to me when bidding. (As an aside, Bruce Hershenson spent
$20.50 in postage plus the cost of the tube and the labor in packing and only
charged me $9 for shipping.)
I bought a poster from Heritage for less than $45 and paid around $18 in
shipping (very well packed and a large flat). The price was fair for both
(even if Bruce had charged the full amount).
My point here is simple. I paid no attention to the shipping cost with the
poster from Bruce because I was willing to pay more than the final price (I bid
higher but the other person stopped at $702). I definitely factored in the
shipping price with Heritage because I did not want to exceed $85 for the
poster so I placed a bid around $65. Shipping becomes minor as the price of
the poster increases.
In any case, this is another situation where ebay is making changes to
strengthen their bottom line without giving the consequences the necessary
serious thought.
As Bruce H said recently--------This is the best example of a mismanaged
company.
Claude Litton
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