How Much is too Much Shipping Charges- Auction Houses

[ibuysportsephemera]

I recently won an auction from one of the on-line auction houses. I have done business with them many times before and always seem to be shocked at the excessive shipping that they charge. I have complained in the past and usually gotten a slight reduction. I am at the point where I will probably stop bidding with them because the shipping is such a ripoff (IMO). It is a shame because I really like their items.

My recent winnings consisted of 17 single or double page newsletters and 3 smaller programs. I ship stuff like this every day and can usually fit it into a USPS flat rate envelope or a well packed #4 bubble mailer. The total cost of priority mail should be no more than $5.05 to $6.50 from where they are shipping it from. They are charging me $15.95 for shipping plus $3.00 for insurance (which they always charge). So on $80 of winnings I am paying $18 in commission plus an additional $18.95 for USPS priority mail. Between the shipping and juice I have to budget almost an additional 50% of my bid.

Does anyone think that this is excessive or is this pretty much what everyone else charges?

Thanks,

Jeff