Cheap old toys vs. shipping cost: What have you NOT bought because of shipping cost?

[generic]

I don't know if 'Classic Toys' is the right thread for this, but it relates to cheap toys, so that's probably not a Mego thread!

There are several pieces that I've wanted to pick up recently. They are toys that I know are practically worthless. I see them on ebay all the time with starting bids of $0.99 and ending with no bidders. I would pay $0.99. In fact, I'd pay as much a couple of bucks for some of these guys. However, I would not pay $0.99 plus $12 shipping.

The main one I have in mind right now is the DC Comics Super Heroes Riddler from ToyBiz. I see them posted on ebay all the time for under $5 carded with shipping around $10. I just want a loose one, but it's only worth a couple of bucks at most to me. There are many others too, there were some 3 3/4" monsters a while back from Burger King and some from Taco Bell that I'd pay a buck a piece for (in fact I have one on the way to me now as part of a low-price figure lot; thanks Brian!), but shipping is usually the deal killer on these things. The list goes on and on of low price figures that I’d pick up in a heartbeat for a buck from a garage sale or flea market, but online you’re only chance at a good price is if they are a part of a lot that you're already bidding on.

That got me to wondering how many other people on here have the same problem? Are their figures or other toys that you want and are totally willing to pay the price for the figure, but you've never picked one up because of the cost of shipping? Which toys or figures are on your, “I’d buy that for a dollar” list?

[4NDR01D]

I can't think of many toy examples, but I definitely have this problem with records. To have an LP shipped to canada is usually about $12. There's tons of records I'd pay $6 $7 $8 for but not .99 plus $12 shipping. Great pick ups outta the dollar bins, but $13 is crazy.

[kryptosmaster]

Shipping cost is a big pet peeve for me. I HATE when sellers pad their shipping. I just had one LIE to me abou it. I asked BEFORE bidding if he would lower his (in my opinion) padded shipping cost and he said yes (in so many words) and when I won the auction he woulkdn't honor his promise so I ended up paying $10 shipping (rather than under $5 most likely) in order to avoid any problems.
I've seen items with $40 shipping that shouldn't be more than $10.
Some of these sellers have to be smoking crack.
I know I pass on quite a few items mainly due to shipping making the end price just unreasonable.
Rich

[toys2cool]

loose LJN WWF figures and a loose Castle Greyskull ,shipping's way too high

[jds1911a1]

It's a common tactic if they jack up the shipping and lower the bid price it reduces the fees they pay ebay. Since ebay give 5 free listings a month now it can actually be worth it for a seller to try. I review total cost for anything on ebay.

[mazinz]

two ebay auctions come to mind, one I did cave in for

1. the M.A.C mountain playset, the set was like $9 (US), but shipping was like $40

2. this guy from Canada was selling a bunch of old rubber monsters. Also about $9 but shipping was 24$. I first questioned him about the shipping, but caved in due to one super rare monster this set had that I wanted

[Gorn Captain]

I recently bought a Shogun Godzilla.
It's a piece I've wanted like...forever.
I buy one from a seller called vegas-batcave. Shipping was going to be expensive, so I asked if it could be shipped to my friend in Vegas. I'm going there next year, I'll just pick it up then. Sounds easy, right?
Sellers says "sure", I make a bid, I won the item, fairly cheap, too.
Yay!!!!

Then he send me a Paypal invoice, with shipping to Belgium (please multiply shipping by FOUR), and continues to stonewall me from then on.
So I coughed it all up, eventually. Don't want to be a NPB.
I ask for shipping confirmation, no reply.

I hate Ebay.....

[mazinz]

I recently bought a Shogun Godzilla.
It's a piece I've wanted like...forever.
I buy one from a seller called vegas-batcave. Shipping was going to be expensive, so I asked if it could be shipped to my friend in Vegas. I'm going there next year, I'll just pick it up then. Sounds easy, right?
Sellers says "sure", I make a bid, I won the item, fairly cheap, too.
Yay!!!!

Then he send me a Paypal invoice, with shipping to Belgium (please multiply shipping by FOUR), and continues to stonewall me from then on.
So I coughed it all up, eventually. Don't want to be a NPB.
I ask for shipping confirmation, no reply.

I hate Ebay.....

you actually had a legitimate case and I would have contacted ebay about it. If the seller sent you an email agreeing to send it to Vegas and then stabs you in the back, you could have used the option of purchasing under a fasle pretense because the seller lied to you in order for you to purchase his item.

[cjefferys]

I've passed up on some cheap, beat up Shogun Warriors/Jumbo Machinders that would come in handy for parts, because of the shipping fees (which is never cheap on these big guys, understandably so).

On the other hand, I've bought some cheap items with high shipping because the total price is still worth it to me. A while back I bought a boxed Dune Spice Scout for $5.00, but the shipping was $20 (it came in a big box). But the total price of $25 was worth it to me for this particular item.

[fallensaviour]

Too much to even list!!!
Lots of things especially stuff from the UK.
Sometimes I wished I lived there...

[generic]

Too much to even list!!!
Lots of things especially stuff from the UK.
Sometimes I wished I lived there...

Yeah, but if you lived there, you'd wish you lived HERE for all the stuff that they have to pay the big bucks to have shipped over there!

[steshell]

Too much to even list!!!
Lots of things especially stuff from the UK.
Sometimes I wished I lived there...

You've got to be joking!!!
I wish I lived in USA, I also collect trading cards and I'm often asked for $35+ to ship one card to UK.


Steve

[rche]

what could you ship for 40 bucks?

fplp stuff always seems to come with weird shipping. Either high, or low.

Recent example. A loose set, mostly complete. The item would probably go for 35-40 complete. The shipping is $40 + on it. I emailed the seller and asked if they could find a way to ship a little lower and here is the response.

<<"I don't think there is. These play houses are a bear to pack and ship. They are so fragile. I have always gone in the hole on the shipping when I sell one. I think I will just have to leave the shipping as is. Judy">>

Um, well OK. Have fun with it.

In contrast, I recently picked up a Sesame Street house, play family house, and a minty mini bus with a couple of little people for less than 20 including the shipping. Doesn't make a whole lotta sense.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

Shipping cost is a big pet peeve for me. I HATE when sellers pad their shipping. I just had one LIE to me abou it. I asked BEFORE bidding if he would lower his (in my opinion) padded shipping cost and he said yes (in so many words) and when I won the auction he woulkdn't honor his promise so I ended up paying $10 shipping (rather than under $5 most likely) in order to avoid any problems.
I've seen items with $40 shipping that shouldn't be more than $10.
Some of these sellers have to be smoking crack.
I know I pass on quite a few items mainly due to shipping making the end price just unreasonable.
Rich

Yes...me too. I have cut back buying most stuff because I am so sick of it. It's expensive enough to post things across the planet without padding the cost.

[Neutron X]

Paypal has caused a lot of crazy shipping charges in my opinion. Common postage to UK was $10-15 Airmail for me. Now Paypal requires a signed reciept from buyer to prove shipment. This used to be proven by showing USA postage reciept with customs number. I am charged $30-40 now to ship Express Mail to get stupid reciept. I was taken for $200 for shipping old way.