Odd Show & Tell, the estate print lot I never got home, but won for a ten.

It's no mystery that I like to bid at estate lot auctions in the USA, fill my need to admire and acquire some nice old stuff not available in my remote neck of the wood's few thrift stores.

Several times now I have won items for 10 or less, tried to have it shipped at a reasonable price from USA to Canada, and the independent shippers want the moon and stars to do it. I regretfully pay for the piece, but let the auction house keep it. $100. and more for shipping is ridiculous. When I think what it used to cost 10 years and before to ship to me.

I used to be able to negotiate too, but people are getting hard nosed, and difficult.

This instance was lot of about 10 prints not all great examples, or of high value, but there were a few who looked interesting. I could have framed and hung in my house. The shipper wanted over $300. for the lot, which he was shipping in an extra large box, because some of the larger prints were pasted on boards. I tried to reduce the cost by removing those from my parcel, but it was still over $250. by USPS, with a weight of 9 pounds.

This made no sense, and I could not afford this added coast. The prints were returned to the auction house. Legally if you do not make arrangements to ship your winnings, the property returns to the auctioneers. So, when they suggest to inquire about shipping costs BEFORE the auction day, that is what you should do these days.