Posted By:
Rick McQuillanI think that auction houses need to update their payment methods. Most do not accept PayPal or credit cards. With ebay the auction closes, I pay with PayPal 2 minutes after the auction closes, the item is mailed the next day and I have it in my hands within a couple of days. I know up front what the shipping charges will be.
When I win an auction lot I generally wait 2 or 3 or 4 days for an email with the total charges. Then I mail a check. Then I wait for the check to clear. Then I wait for the company to ship the item. Generally the shipping charges are too high. I recently bought a $19 photo and the auction house shipped it Fed EX and charged me another $19. They could have put it in the mail for two bucks. Why ship by Fed Ex when I have already waited two weeks for this item?
In my opinion the auction houses should do the following:
1. List shipping charges up front or offer free shipping as a part of the buyers premium.
2. Have enough staff on hand to send out the invoices within 24 hours.
3. Accept PayPal and credit cards.
Rick