REA increasing their BP and making other changes

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by icurnmedic

I use him , frequently.
Never an issue with payment, and almost always get good results.
Contacted him one time about a mislabeled T206 back, and he personally called me to discuss options.
I really like the % you net selling with him and do not have to deal with the eBay azzhats!

I do think there might be an opportunity for ebay sellers to capitalize on this.

[Mark17]

I'm watching inflation going on all around me with virtually everything I buy. I just constantly keep adjusting what I'm willing to pay, realizing the numbers across the board trend upwards. This is just another example.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I do think there might be an opportunity for ebay sellers to capitalize on this.

Which is amusing as every time ebay does something that pisses off the rank and file we get consignments from people who are sick of Ebay.

Obviously you're talking about the power guys like Probstein, but Ebay is constantly abusing their smaller sellers, much to our benefit.

[joshleon]

I will be bidding 3% less. I think 20% was ample.

[tiger8mush]

picked up a few cards in REA's auction that ended Sunday night (into Monday morning). Invoice received later Monday, paid immediately via e-check, cards delivered the next day (Tuesday 6/24) via FedEx overnight. I was impressed!

[Kutcher55]

I won a card with a bid of $35. Then you get the BP, plus an absolutely ridiculous $10 shipping charge and with tax we get to $54.23. You'd think for 10 bucks they'd ship priority but no it's USPS ground. Total racket, total ripoff. Understand the economics are better for bigger cards and the shrewd buyer can pick the right spots, but sheesh.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

I won a card with a bid of $35. Then you get the BP, plus an absolutely ridiculous $10 shipping charge and with tax we get to $54.23. You'd think for 10 bucks they'd ship priority but no it's USPS ground. Total racket, total ripoff. Understand the economics are better for bigger cards and the shrewd buyer can pick the right spots, but sheesh.

All of this is known to you before you bid. If you didn't like the costs, why did you bid?

[Kutcher55]

I was aware of the bp and tax, but the $10 shipping should be priority. Just a blatant ripoff. I'll get over it, but I reserve my right to complain. And if you have a problem with that you can STICK IT!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

I was aware of the bp and tax, but the $10 shipping should be priority. Just a blatant ripoff. I'll get over it, but I reserve my right to complain. And if you have a problem with that you can STICK IT!

Send me your address and I will send you the $3 you feel is owed to you. It's a win-win....

[Yoda]

I just feel this represents more battering for the poor, beleaguered customer/collector. Since Covid the market has been in turmoil with card price rises for high value items reaching astronomical levels. As such, the market has become segmented with much more skin in the game and those with deep pockets, who now see top cards as an investment hedge against other assets, are dominating the high value graded card market.
I realize that most bidders should factor in the BP into their total costs when bidding but an extra 3% just might be too much for some collectors and they can't chase that grail.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

All of this is known to you before you bid. If you didn't like the costs, why did you bid?

+1

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

I won a card with a bid of $35. Then you get the BP, plus an absolutely ridiculous $10 shipping charge and with tax we get to $54.23. You'd think for 10 bucks they'd ship priority but no it's USPS ground. Total racket, total ripoff. Understand the economics are better for bigger cards and the shrewd buyer can pick the right spots, but sheesh.

$10 is about the least we charge for shipping. We are actual costs plus $5 for time and materials so we get a few that are a tad under $10 every now and then but people don't seem to realize that envelopes, paper, tape, ink and a person to put them all together are an actual expense.

[calvindog]

I usually cringe when I see auction house BP going up. But this is a business designed to make money and REA only followed what other auction houses did first (Goldin, Heritage). In addition, Brian is about the most honest guy in our hobby. I can't quibble with his decision.

[babraham]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

$10 is about the least we charge for shipping. We are actual costs plus $5 for time and materials so we get a few that are a tad under $10 every now and then but people don't seem to realize that envelopes, paper, tape, ink and a person to put them all together are an actual expense.

+1

We box & ship quite a few items from our shop (the joys of retail!), and people never seem to realize this.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by babraham

+1

We box & ship quite a few items from our shop (the joys of retail!), and people never seem to realize this.

I think people understand it, they just think materials and labor are part of a company's overhead that gets factored into their fees, and that shipping charges should be just the actual cost to ship/insure the shipment. I send things through the mail daily in my line of work. And never once charge someone for the envolopes and time my secretary spends sending it. It's just the cost of doing business. So while I don't have a problem with charging shipping and handling as long as you are up front with your charges, I also don't think people complaining about it don't understand. They just think it should come from your profit margins, not an additional charge.