Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Morphy shipping costs

I agree, was just pointing out some people had a lot more money invested in going to the show/ getting there stuff home than others.

In the original post you weren't shy about telling us how much the exhorbitant shipping fee was, so why not share with us the amount it was "corrected" to.
There might be some OG members who would like to get their rates reduced also.

Ray was at the IG & Drove home in a NEW CORVETTE!
[$51 is Less Expensive than staying another night in Des Moines]

I think the best way to keep shipping costs reasonable is to do exactly what Ray did: bring it to everybody's attention.
For some reason the auction houses are taking advantage of the internet buyers by making additional revenue off "shipping", even though I would bet the sales total would drop about 25%-30% without the internet bids.
BTW, I tried calling prior to the auction to get a shipping quote and was not able to get one. I didn't bid.

more importantly... bring it to the auction co's attention. call and talk to them! most companies will try and make it right.

Complaining about spending $50 to get a $1700 sign home safely?

Ummm....ok.

I spoke to Dan the day before the auction. Unless I misunderstood what Dan told me, he said they weren't really set up to do shipping anymore. As a substitute, he offered to bring it to an upcoming show free of charge.

Is Morphy's using a 3rd party vendor for shipping. My experience is 3rd party vendor's kill you on materials, handling, and shipping costs.

there are 4 shipping associates listed in Morphy's staff... so i have a hard time believing they are not handling any shipping, especially considering the amount of sales they conduct.

http://www.morphyauctions.com/about/staff

I'm just telling you what he told me. Obviously they are doing it or everyone who posted here wouldn't be talking about shipping cost. If Morphy's has 4 shipping associates, they are probably outsourcing at least the majority of shipping which is probably where the added cost is coming in from.

Shipping correctly and safely is very important to us as collectors. We don't like to pay high prices for items and then wait in a kind of Russian Roulette game of shipping to hope they arrive in the same condition as when we bout them. Therefore, IF the message is that an auction company is not set up for shipping, then they should drop phone and internet bids. It is seldom good to have the final result of your business transaction, thus reputation, rest on the performance of a third party. Just an opinion, as I doubt I'll ever make a phone or internet bid based upon this and other issues that have been quite well discussed before.

Anyone have a answer for my question?

I got my invoice Monday after auction. Said my CC was approved and showed the charges. Surprised you haven't got yours. Last auction they took my money quick but mailed almost a Month after the auction. Just food for thought.
Dan

Next question: Has anyone's stuff shipped out yet? Was curious how long they usually take. Getting close to the end of their 7-14 business days ship time.

I got my notice that the package is shipping today, My 4 items including 3 small signs (less than 24"x18"), one cardboard counter display was only $39. Granted my total auction expense was less than $700. Its a "high end" auction, so expect "high end" charges and fees... That's the price of doing business, unfortunately.

Ask yourself what you would charge for items NOT PICKED-UP at time of auction;
[*items must be protection packaged,
*transported to secure storage [usually out of state], *UN-packaged [as several items might be packaged together], *correct packing materials gathered,
*address rechecked before shipping [not all shippers will accept all items]?
NOW ADD IN; Employees payroll, rent/cost of secured area/building, Insurances, city/state lic., business expenses [motels/advertising/auction site rentals/security/etc.].

Considering all that, $50 charge for shipping a small item is Justified, IMO.