Gunbroker.com seller trying to gouge me on shipping

1. lazygirlMember

   So we win 2 auctions from the same seller, antlermount:

   SMITH & WESSON S&W .38 D.A. 3rd Mod. ANTIQUE
   Shipping Buyer pays fixed amount of $8.00 for shipping,

   .38 COLT 1877 Lightning COWBOY ACTION Antique
   Shipping Buyer pays fixed amount of $10.00 for shipping,

   As you can see the total shipping should then be $18.00. I receive email and the seller offers me what he claims to be a reduced shipping rate by combining the shipping. However, his reduce rate is $19.00. Wait a minute! That is more than the shipping as advertised in the auction.

   Posted: 2005-12-19 02:43:10 #

2. lazygirlMember

   Here is the email I wrote to antlermount assuming that he had made a simple mathematical error in his total:

   Yes, I would certainly appreciate the combined shipping. You are very kind to make the offer. If you intend on putting them in the same box just make sure they do not rub on one another and cause damage.

   I've just done the total with the auction shipping amounts, 10 + 8 as 18 would come to $708.00 or with your combined shipping offer $700 total.

   description, price, shipping, site, auction id
   ------------------------------------------------------------
   .38 COLT 1877 Lightning COWBOY ACTION Antique
   $485.00 $10.00 GunBroker 41441971
   Smith & Wesson S&W .38 D.A. 3rd Mod. ANTIQUE
   $205.00 (combined) GunBroker 41445218
   ------------------------------------------------------------
   total $700.00

   Can you please verify the total. Again, thank you for the auction. I love collecting these old antiques.

   Posted: 2005-12-19 02:44:14 #

3. lazygirlMember

   THE RIPOFF IS OBVIOUS! Here is the seller's response; it speaks volumes for his business ethics…

   HI AGAIN, THE ADDITIONAL $8.00 IS FOR INSURANCE. $700.00 UNINSURED or $708.00 INSURED. YOUR CHOICE.

   REGARDS, BILL

   Posted: 2005-12-19 02:45:35 #

4. derekMember

   I am checking gunbroker.com policy to see if disclosing the full shipping, which includes insurance, is required.

   Can't find anything conclusive

   Posted: 2005-12-19 03:08:28 #

5. lazygirlMember

   I am thinking about sending this as my response. But should I? I fear reprisal, such as receiving damaged goods. Do you think this is a serous issue?

   Posted: 2005-12-19 03:14:30 #

6. dragginmasterMember

   he should include insurance at his cost, part of doing good business, if it gets to you and its fucked up, its his loss just as much as it is yours.

   Posted: 2005-12-19 03:16:09 #

7. lazygirlMember

   My response... (haven't sent yet)

   Well you've got me over a barrel, because I definitely want them shipped with insurance. I would never dream of shipping any firearms myself without insurance. Although the cost of insurance was not mentioned anywhere as an additional expense in the auction I will pay the additional amount if that is what is necessary to have the insurance. So the _total_ cost to ship the items will be slightly more than the cost of shipping in your GunBroker auction listing. I'm not going to challenge the extra amount because it is more important to me that the firearms arrive safely. However, it may be a kind service to future customers to include some verbiage about the additional charge for insured shipping, which is, part of the total shipping charge. Thank you kindly, Lisa.

   Posted: 2005-12-19 03:16:26 #

8. derekMember

   I anticipate the dude coming back and saying that it is standard for auction sellers not to include insurance cost in the auciton listing, which is total bullshit, but i think that is what the dude will come back with anyway.

   Posted: 2005-12-19 03:20:17 #

9. ractiveMember

   Isnt the point of listing S&H charges to inform the buyer of all costs? This guy and Alltel and most cellphone companies get togeather and find new ways to rip ppl off. They love to tack on the last-minute hidden charges becasue most ppl will pay...they have allready comitted to the purchase in thier minds.

   Posted: 2005-12-19 03:31:05 #

10. derekMember

    Should Lisa send that message or will it just cause more problems?

    Posted: 2005-12-19 03:31:14 #

11. lazygirlMember

    Dear Sir,

    It is important to me that they are shipped insured. Although the cost of insurance was not mentioned anywhere as an additional expense in the auctions I will pay the additional amount, making the total cost of shipping more than what was stated in the auctions. The most important thing to me is the safe arrival of the items. Maybe you could kindly disclose the insurance cost in future auctions showing the total cost of shipping as to avoid any possible confusion and as a courtesy to the winning bidder.

    Thank you kindly, Lisa.

    Posted: 2005-12-19 03:40:04 #

12. ractiveMember

    I would send it....its a very diplomatic way of stating your displeasure. Well written.

    Posted: 2005-12-19 03:45:30 #

13. lazygirlMember

    seller responds with excuse...

    HI AGAIN LISA THE COST AT AUCTION IS ONLY FOR S&H. GB DOES NOT PROVIDE A OPTION FOR INSURANCE. IT'S UP TO THE BUYER TO CHOOSE WETHER OR NOT IT'S WANTED.

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

    REGARDS, BILL

    Posted: 2005-12-19 16:48:00 #

14. CDobsonMember

    I agree too. All shipping costs should be told up front in the auction. He just wants to make the numbers lower, make it look like a better deal. So did you get it in the mail yet? Was the gun honest?

    Posted: 2005-12-28 21:19:51 #