I am often asked about the shipping charges - so here's the story behind shipping - please read - thanks.
The shipping quote given by the calculator includes a $1 packing fee and also the required insurance amount - it shows as all inclusive!
End of auction invoices for my auctions show the insurance amount on a separate line, it will not be shown included in the shipping amount, but will equal what the calculator shows.
Did You Also Know?
Shipping costs are set by the carriers and are based on weight, size of box, and zip codes being used for shipping. Boxes more than a cubic foot in size are also subject to extra surcharges. The further you live from me, the more the PO or UPS will charge to deliver it to you. Take a look at the USPS example below. (This may or may not be the weight of your item, it is just an example weight)
A 5 pound (12x12x8) package shipped from:
PA to NJ - $8.55
PA to TX - $16.50
PA to WA - $20.60
The difference is more than $10 going cross country! Is it worth it? It might be - especially when you consider the cost of time and gas trying to find this item on your own. You have to decide. Remember, it is not an item you can easily pick up at your local dept. store!
I would love to offer you FREE shipping, however, if I did I would be out of business very quickly. Here's why - If you buy a $20 item (4-5 lb. package) and it costs $16.80 to ship, that leaves $3.20 - I probably paid more than that for the item - I would be in the RED - when ebay and paypal take their pieces of the pie, including collecting final value fees on the shipping money (Did someone say "Bonus-gate" ???) - I would be out of business in no time at all!
Now that you understand shipping a little better please be aware:
Sellers are now rated by buyers on shipping charges - I understand some sellers inflate and gouge you with shipping charges, I am not one of them. You pay what I pay plus typically $1 to help with packaging costs. I use bubble-wrap and packaging peanuts, not newspaper.
You are able to check the rates before you bid, so if you think they are too high - maybe you can find this piece from someone who lives closer.
If you decide to bid and win, please be forgiving with your seller shipping cost feedback ratings. I work hard to offer unique items with excellent packaging and customer service. It is frustrating to be given lower feedback ratings (and pay higher seller fees because of the lower ratings) for shipping costs that are fixed by the carrier companies, not me!
Methods of Shipping: Domestic USPS Priority Mail or UPS. Occasionally, I may use USPS parcel post. Parcel post typically takes too long and then I get dinged for slow shipping even though I ship daily. Keep in mind that UPS ground also takes longer than Priority mail , but may be less expensive for heavier items. Again, don't ding me for shipping time when item is shipped in a timely manner. You can use the UPS tracking number to see exactly where your package is in transit. I ship daily and typically your package goes out the same or next BUSINESS DAY. USPS shipping Monday - Friday and sometimes Saturdays. UPS shipping is Mon- Friday. No weekends.
International shipping method is USPS Priority Mail with Insurance. NO EXCEPTIONS.
International Buyers – Please Note:
Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.
These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up – do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.
We do not mark merchandise values below value or mark items as "gifts" - US and International government regulations prohibit such behavior.
Packing Fee: Typically $1 unless your item takes a lot of bubble wrap and peanuts for packaging. Packing materials are expensive, even more than I ask a buyer to pay. I don't use newspaper for packaging.
Insurance: Required on all purchases, including International packages even if they are under 4 pounds and could be sent less expensively without insurance using First Class International. First Class International offers NO INSURANCE so I do not use that method.
Combined Shipping: I do combine auctions to save you money on shipping. To receive combined/reduced shipping rates, wait and make only one payment after I send a combined invoice. If more than one payment is made for multiple purchases, no combined shipping discount will be given.
Methods of Payment
PayPal in accordance with Ebay Rules.
Please read their regulations regarding payments - beginning in the last quarter of 2008, they want everyone to use electronic payments. Sorry - these are not my rules. I personally never had a problem with accepting MO's from those who did not wish to use online payments.
Feedback Policy
Feedback used to be an important part of the ebay community. Now, with ebay's new policy on feedback, it is totally one-sided, so not so fair anymore for sellers in my opinion. I promise to be fair with you though - if there is a problem - tell me first and be reasonable with me, I will be reasonable with you. I am not hard to get along with. I will leave feedback for you once I know you are satisfied with your purchase, otherwise - no feedback! Ebay says only positive feedback allowed for buyers even if anything but positive is warranted.
My Expertise
Please keep in mind I don't consider myself an expert. I do have knowledge in several areas, but still am apt to pick something up if it catches my eye even if I don't know a thing about it. Sometimes in my treasure hunting, I know I find things that you know more about than I do. Any information you have on an item and are willing to share is much appreciated. I do try to research items before listing but sometimes information is limited, so I am so pleased to receive an email from a friendly person sharing their knowledge.
Many of my items are vintage, collectibles, and items no longer available on the retail market. If an item is new, I will state that in the auction, otherwise items are not new. I also would never intentionally try to misrepresent any of my items, but I am human and if I make a mistake, please know it is just that...a mistake.
Return Policy
Returns are certainly considered and will be handled on an individual basis. Buyer is responsible for return postage and original postage costs are non refundable. Refunds are not given unless and until same item sent is returned.
Thanks for looking - If you can work with my terms, place a bid and make this your treasure!
Click the link to check my other auctions. I add items almost every day.
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