Since the MCG program was coming to an end I browsed my portfolio looking for any cards that I deemed worthy of actually having shipped to me. Before I completed some trades (gasp!) I found 3 cards - so I filled out the order form and paid $3.98 in shipping. Seriously? $4.00 to ship 3 cards via USPS First Class? When did Topps start duplicating eBay seller's shipping practices?! I guess what really got me is when the package arrived yesterday and I saw the postage label affixed to the bubble mailer.
I had these 3 cards shipped since 2 were the oldest I had in the portfolio and the 3rd since it was Braves related. The 1954 card is horribly off centered and the corners are rounded badly. The bottom left corner wants to peel pack. The 1960 card isn't quite as bad. There are a few small creases in the middle and it's off centered, but the back of the card looks stained. The 1976 Braves team card however looks pack fresh.
I've got a few other cards coming as well which in addition to these will be trade fodder. I'm not a vintage card collector, but if anyone out there wants the '54 or '60 cards let me know.
That's not just shipping. That's also the cost of the mailer and someone to pull the cards and pack them. Having worked in a warehouse, 'loose pick' like this does have a lot of labor costs involved.
ReplyDeleteI figured part of the cost was "handling" - I get it...I was just surprised to see the amount was close to double what I paid.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have the '60 Phillips card. Just curious, when you did the order on the Topps site did you check the price doing shipping with UPS? For some reason, at least on the order I'm doing, it's cheaper.
ReplyDeleteWhat I tell myself with something like this is that I would probably pay that amount for the cards if I bought them in person. I was lucky enough to get a 1955 and a few others from the 50s and 60s, so it's worth it to me, but I understand the frustration with something you think should be free
ReplyDeleteYes, a vinegar bend sighting!
ReplyDelete