Shameless eBay plug - Monogram 1/48 B-58, DML Late Tiger, CA Ducks.....

you don'y use the $8.95 flat rate boxes? there are 2 sizes that fit 90% of the models out there.

Primarily because the majority of kits (especially aircraft) go in twos & threes to the same buyer and they will not fit into one box. Another reason is that many of the aircraft & armor kits that do sell individually are light enough to qualify for lower Priority Postage Vs. Flat Rate. I go by actual packed weight without any handling charge. If someone sold me a Tamiya Corsair and wanted $8.95 to ship it to me (unless it was coming from AK or HI), I'd be pretty upset. As it stands, I can ship these kits within the continental U.S. for between $4.60 (+ Delivery Confirmation) to $6.55. But in your case, if you should win one of the auctions, I'll happily send it to you in a Flat Rate box. Just specify that Flat Rate Priority is the method that you prefer.

Hope this helps.

Mouse

most auctions are for one item.... giving people a choice is good. you should mention that. i do much better when i charge literal, actual shipping. i. as a buyer, pass on high shipping charges.

You obviously did not read the item description or you would have seen this sentance:

"I ship via Priority Mail w/Delivery Confirmation in the continental U.S. based on packed weight."

Mouse

and you missed my point, offering people their choice. what if i wanted parcel post?

I missed no point (as you made none), If I offer Parcel Post, I'll have to add a handling charge as I would have to acquire (as in buy) a sufficient quantity of boxes to support that move. Priority boxes are free from the USPS. As far as "Most auctions are for one item", you are correct, I don't do Dutch auctions. What I meant was that many times, two or three individual auctions go to a single buyer.

mouse

well, don't worry. i won't ask for my choice on shipping.

I started out on E-bay doing just that. What I found was that 99% of the people don't care a feather or a fig. "Just get it to me!" After a couple of months I decided to go Priority just to save myself the aggravation.

Bill Banaszak, MFE Sr.

i guess coin collector's are different. probably because you almost always have to buy insurance.

I would think so. I can't see shipping coins through the mail without it. Strangely, almost every time I've taken out insurance for someone, it has been necessary. I'm beginning to wonder what's going on but that's the Post Office's bailiwick.

Bill Banaszak, MFE Sr.

Oddly enough, about 95% of people who have bought from me have declined insurance and I've only had to file one claim in five years. A good friend of mine (now deceased) used to ship a lot of coins & precious stones and would NOT ship without insurance and I don't blame him, some of those things are irreplaceable. What bothers me about the Post Office now (besides the rediculous new overseas methods of mailing & their associated {inflated} rates) is that nobody there seems to know anything about the new policies. I've asked "how long does First Class International take to reach Germany?" The website says that the time "varys", one local Post Office says anywhere from 7 days to a month, the main Post Office says 7 - 14 days and one that I called ove in Lincoln says "we have no idea".

Then there are the recurring "rumors" that the USPS will only operate three days a week (deliverys) to save money ( I get nasty looks from the Postal people when I ask about that).

Mouse

i haven't lost a coin yet. even on the cheapskates that won't buy insurance. they do agree that loss is thier problem.

Just the opposite here, I've had a few kits lost in the mail & invariably, the buyer holds me responsible even though they refused insurance. Different breeds of humanity I guess.

Mouse

Don Van Hook wrote: : Just the opposite here, I've had a few kits lost in the mail & invariably, : the buyer holds me responsible even though they refused insurance. ; The best thing I can say about the USPS is that they deliver on Saturday, for no additional charge.

Aside from that, their tracking system is a really, really poor joke, where the item is generally delivered before they even acknowledge receiving the item for shipment, and their offices are cronically understaffed.

Where it not for a hole-in-the-wall PO the few people seem to know about locally, I doubt I would use them, given the profusion of FedEx/Kinkoes and UPS Stores (ne Mailboxes USA).

That being said, it is important to look at shippig before you bid, and factor in shipping. insurance, etc. For those who refuse insurance, crying later is their problem. I generally refuse to pay optional insurance, but I do request Priority Mail (no tracking!) for ebay purchases. : : Different breeds of humanity I guess. : You have to wonder how many are trying to run a scam.

Bruce

HI Bruce, I agree to a point with you regarding Delivery Confirmation, it does offer a certain degree of tracking (with absolutely NO responsibility on the part of the USPS) & also about the USPS in general. On the other hand, I would NEVER use UPS for any kind of shipping unless there was simply no other way. They have a nasty habit of leaving packages at my door without knocking, when no one is home & twice, after calling & asking that a "hold" be put on deliveries to my address for vacation, they delivered some very expensive ceramics & artwork that sat in the weather for over a week (snow, sleet & extreme cold). When queried regarding the "Hold", all I got was "Sorry about that". I have a better feeling about FedEx but they're a bit more expensive.

Mouse

Don Van Hook wrote: : : On the other : hand, I would NEVER use UPS for any kind of shipping unless there was simply : no other way. They have a nasty habit of leaving packages at my door : without knocking, : I refer to them as "Oops". And, yes, they are bad about not bothering to notify me. I can't say FedEx is problem free, as I have had them leave boxes clearly marked "PERISHABLE SEAFOOD" outside. Now granted, it has not been that hot this year (yet), but still - it is an apartment complex. There is a leasing office. It is cooler inside there than it is outside...

Also, one driver for FedEx seems to feel that "no signature required" is carte blanch to leave the package outside.

But, at least the Oops and FedEx tracking is worth the name. And it does not cost anything additional. :-)

Bruce