Auntyteeks on ebay question

[dsk]

Has anybody done business withthis outfit on ebay. I cansidered bidding on a nice receiver they had up, but when I clicked on the link to their "shipping policy" here's what I found:

Items over one pound will be calculated at auction end as will International shipping costs unless Shipping price is stated in Auction. Many times on heavy items shipping can be quite high, sometimes even more than the purchase price of the item. Always keep shipping costs in mind when bidding. Please, please Email and ask shipping questions before you bid!!
Shipping costs are based on packed size and weight and are set to cover the actual cost of freight, materials and labor involved in shipping of item's. If any Handling fee is charged it will be to help cover costs of shipping the item.


Labor costs? This looks like you are agreeing to pay anything they say to pay.

Any actual experience?

[dsk]

Pardon my numerous typographical errors. Never type with a child jumping on you.

[Andyman]

Send them an email with your zipcode and ask for an estimate on what they would charge.

I get them quite often and have no problem complying with the bidder's request.

What is the auction for? Big items command premiums from shippers due to size, not weight and there should be at least 2" of padding on all sizes. There's more to shipping than tossing something in a box with a handful of peanuts.

[bully]

Yeah, what Andyman said. I'd be more concerned with their feedback, and look with an eye toward other large, heavy and delicate items they've shipped.
From experience, very large receivers are a bear to pack.

[Paula]

I sort of agree with you, dsk. There's a feeling that they've got you over a barrel. Best thing is to request a quote from the seller for shipping/handling, though often there isn't time.

A couple of data points: I purchased a Marantz 2230, and the total shipping/handling charge (via FedEx) was $30.00. Later on, I purchased a wood case for it (lighter than the receiver, but bulkier), and the cost to ship was $39.77. Both items were well-packed and arrived in excellent condition.

I think most sellers are fair, but there are a few gougers. One of my first Ebay purchases was for a Sandisk card (about the size and weight of a postage stamp), and the shipping was $8.00! It arrived in an envelope showing postage of 83 cents. My fault though, as the shipping charge was stated in the description, and I didn't notice it. Never again.

[gyusher]

"Always keep shipping costs in mind when bidding. Please, please Email and ask shipping questions before you bid!! "
Looks to me like they are telling you what to do. Never buy before knowing all the costs. . . If there is no time and a unknown seller. . .Pass. . .

[Paula]

I've found that about half of the sellers I've asked questions of while bidding on an item don't even respond. One poor fool was trying to sell a battery charger for a camera. I thought it was one I could use, so I asked him the model number... no response. The item never sold. :dunno:

[gyusher]

If a seller does not respond to your questions then why reward him with a sale?? I dont care how much I want an item if the seller doesnt respond to my questions and he/she is unknown I stop there. . . .Paula you were right not to bid. . .

[Paula]

I agree. I absolutely won't buy from a seller who doesn't repond to questions before the sale. After all, what does that say about their willingness to handle issues after the sale??

[bear-hifi]

Whenever someone asks me for the shipping cost I reply back with the weight, size of the box and my zip. That way the buyer can check it out and see if it’s fair. I do list a packaging fee on my auction even though I usually don’t ask for it. But if I don’t have the right packaging lying around I will ask for it. I have seen some auctions ask for a handling fee and a packaging fee that can be high sometimes as well. Make sure you ask for everything!