As part of our standard dealer registration process, we ensure that dealers have made their shipping procedure and costs clear from the outset to avoid any confusion and unexpected costs. Dealers have the option to select the method of shipping they feel is most suitable for your item which can mean that initial shipping costs can vary drastically from one item to the next. But why?
Location
As with anything, the location of the dealer plays a large part in shipping cost, however, that isn’t always to do with the distance involved. Currency and market strength play equal part in these costs.
Method
The method of shipping is also a contributing factor to the costs of shipping. A local postal service is generally a cheaper option than a courier but using the cheap option isn’t always the best option. Some dealers may enforce a policy of shipping via courier for items over a specific value for security reasons.
Size
Nowadays, international air freight is managed not only by the physical weight but by volumetric weight. Unfortunately, this means that while a specimen may be small and weight comparatively little, in order to protect it effectively, the dealer will packaging it with void fill to cushion it. This empty space, in turn, gets calculated into the freight cost. Of course, there are extremes in respect to how much or little packaging can be used but dealers are experienced in the shipping of specimens and have a decent knowledge of the packaging requirements so will only use what is necessary.
Insurance
The value of an item is something that is frequently forgotten but is also a contributing factor to the cost of shipping. The value of an item dictates the level of cover a carrier provides for the item in case of loss or damage. Declaring a low value at shipping may be a simple means of circumventing additional cost, however, the risk of doing so lies with the dealer and not the customer. Therefore, while some dealers may be comfortable declaring low values, many will opt to declare the correct value in order to ensure adequate cover.
Import duty is often forgotten or ignored by the customer when purchasing from outside of their particular trade zone which can lead to a nasty surprise when you come to take delivery of your newly purchased item. Our tip for dealing with Import Duty is simple; don’t ignore it!
All dealers are legally obliged to declare the sales value of an item on the customs declaration forms at point of shipping. And, while there are numerous documented methods people have used over the year to slip under the radar, nowadays, customs officials are wise to these tricks and are far more aware of shipments arriving at their port. Frequently, packages documented as zero value are being opened, only for the customs official to discover an invoice or tag with a price, resulting in a bill or even the out-right rejection of the shipment.
Therefore, our advice is to review the information provided by your local authority and factor in the costs when purchasing.
It’s a fact of life that sometimes it is necessary to return an item. Whether it is because the item is not suitable, broken or you simply don’t like it, sending it back is sometimes the best course of action. But, while buying from a shop provides certain return options, buying through auction is a somewhat more complex affair when it comes to returns.
Returning an item bought through a regular transaction such as ‘buy it now’.
As a customer, no matter where you buy an item, if you purchase it through regular methods, you are covered by Distance Selling Regulations (DSR). As part of these regulations, you, the customer, are entitled to a ‘cooling off period’ whereby you are permitted to return an item up to 7 working days after the point of receipt, for any reason.
After 7 days, a reason for return must be provided. If this reason is unacceptable, the dealer is within their right to reject the return. Some dealers may offer longer periods for approval, however, this is not enforceable.
Returning an item bought through an auction
Unlike an item bought through regular means, an auction is not covered by DSR since you the customer are bidding for an item, based solely on the information provided. This means you are not entitled to a ‘cooling off period’. However, that does not mean you cannot return an item if there is a legitimate reason to do so. Just like a regular purchase, if the item is damaged or incorrectly described, you have reasonable grounds to return the item.
In all instances, requests for returns must be directed to the dealer from whom the item was purchased. No item should be returned without authorisation from the dealer beforehand.