| Author |
 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,919 |
|
|
New Member
Netherlands
31 Posts |
Since I live in Europe, buying at US auctions brings extra costs like shipping and taxes with it. I'm aware of that. But I have a question. Sending five slabbed coins valued at $ 108,= should (in my opinion) not be charged with $ 120,= shipping costs. But this is exactly what happened to me with one of US' biggest auction firms. And they charged me heavily on other "winnings" (8 coins, value $ 121, shipping $ 85; 4 coins, value $ 71, shipping $ 70; and more). Is this normal practice? Or am I swindled by Heritage?  |
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
72 Posts |
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
272 Posts |
That sounds a little excessive to me, unless the charges included insurance, even then that sounds a little wild..
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
I think you could have bought the coins where you are, with what you put out. At least you didn't get an auction cat. subscription
too. (325.)
|
|
New Member
 Netherlands
31 Posts |
The coins were sent by UPS Expedited.
There was hardly any choice left for me. Orders over $ 250,= and paid by Paypal (or credit card) have to be sent via Fedex or UPS and Fedex considers coins as prohibited goods, it was stated by Heritage. So that left me only with UPS.
And yes, for less money I could have purchased those coins at home via local dealers I guess, even with not having the advantage of auction buying (low bidding, hoping no one else is bidding too).
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
968 Posts |
I think Heritage doesn't really care about the little guys only buying a couple hundred dollars worth of coins. So they have a standardized shipping system that makes sense when someone buys a $10,000 coin, but is ridiculous when it comes to the small amount of money you are spending.
|
|
New Member
Netherlands
31 Posts |
I put a complaint about the costs. They offered me $ 50,= voucher and free shipment on the next purchase. That's about 20% of he total amount I paid, bur better than nothing. I felt I just had to let everyone know about this too (positive side of the story).
I still didn't get an answer on my question on what went wrong but I've got a strong feeling that I chose (unintentionally) the most expensive form of shipping.
Let's see what happens now.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
73 Posts |
"I still didn't get an answer on my question on what went wrong but I've got a strong feeling that I chose (unintentionally) the most expensive form of shipping."
Actually you chose (unintentionally) a auction house with the most expensive form of shipping. LOL
Its probably reasonable from their point of view but not for you or I.
Do what we Americans should do more often. That is; BUY LOCAL GOODS FROM LOCAL SELLERS.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
968 Posts |
goldfinger, It may be hard for him to find the selection of US coins he wants from European dealers. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
981 Posts |
To send coins from Canada can be expensive I just sent a set of 5 silver coins to Australia registered post insured it cost me $67.00 and I don't make a cent off it. We have high postage rates here to send out of North America it really stinks for doing business abroad.
|
| |
Replies: 9 / Views: 1,919 |
|
Posted 10/17/2011 9:19 pm
