Mike's Arcade - Shipping Costs

pacray

pacray

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Following up on this post...

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=204108&highlight=qbert+bezel

I ordered a repro Qbert bezel from Mike's Arcade last week. The cost on their website is $50 for the bezel and $41 for shipping. I mentioned in the "Items Wanted" section that I would post what the actual shipping costs were once the item was received, as others mentioned wondering about it as well.

It was shipped USPS, Priority Mail.
Weight: 7 lbs 0 oz
26" x 26" x 5"
Shipped from 84723 to 80503

Cost $22.02

Shipping by FedEx would be $10.52

I like Mike's. They provide good service and good product. But I think charging $41 to ship this is a bit out of line. $19 for "handling"?

I would be interested to hear what others think.
 
I ordered something from them recently and emailed to inquire on alternative shipping methods. Eventually they agreed to try a different method and shipped it to me at about half what the website said. If I had ordered based on the original shipping cost on the website, shipping was to be as much as the item. I have ordered the same type item from others and shipping was 25% the original estimate from Mike's. Mike's was still double what others charged even after they changed it.
 
I did call Mike's and asked about the shipping cost for this bezel and was told that it would have to be shipped in a large box and that is what it would cost. She told me she had tried shipping bezels flat, but that they would sometimes arrive damaged, so she would only ship it this way.
 
pacray said:
I did call Mike's and asked about the shipping cost for this bezel and was told that it would have to be shipped in a large box and that is what it would cost. She told me she had tried shipping bezels flat, but that they would sometimes arrive damaged, so she would only ship it this way.
Click to expand...

that's all well and good, but what do they have to say about the $19 difference in actual cost?

and I don't think anyone here who read your initial post thought that the shipping cost would actually be $41.
 
Honestly, I think right about $30 S&H would be fair. The oversized box, the bubblewrap and the tape would be at least $8. I am sure they have the mail carrier pick the package up, so there shouldn't be any gas or drop off fee. If they used Fedex, $20 would be fair.
 
Shipping larger pieces like a bezel are expensive since both Fed Ex and UPS charge by dimensional weight on big boxes. I assume the box would be 26 x 26 x4 (or 6).
I think for those dims both companies treat it as a minimum of 30 pounds even if the actual product is only 4 or 5 pounds.
A new box with those dims runs around $3 so you need add that cost in as well.


I use 32 x 32 x 10 boxes to ship pin backglass and those things ran me $5+ each in a 10 pack from Uline.
 
I'm not choosing any sides, but as seller myself,
one must also consider packing materials.

In my case (eproms) , the static foam, static bag, anti-static sticker,
bubble-mailer, labels and ink supplies only cost me about $1 per order,
but I've seen Mike's custom bezel boxes (I ordered a Robo bezel from him years ago)
and they are pretty sturdy.

I would guess that they probably cost at least $5-6 each . (box + foam + bubble wrap )

$41 is a tad steep, but a damaged bezel ends-up costing alot more...

It's a delicate balance...

Steph
 
Ray I know you both and like you both so I dont have a horse in this race.

I used the same info you gave and came up with a rate of $13.52 because you dont have a business address. If you did the rate would be what you posted. However Im not sure their little town in Utah even has Fedex. Its a very small town believe me!

Going by the USPS actualy charges of $22.02 plus an estimated $8 for a box and packing comes to $30. Some actual businesses (not collectors) charge a handling fee to cover overhead and personnel. Not sure if they figured that in. Consider it. I know may people frown on it but it happens in the pinball world all the time.

If youre a long time customer of Mikes Im sure he and Kim will work something out. Try calling them.

I do "overcharge" shipping refunds a lot. But I've never gone after anyone for undercharging if they live in the sticks or on the west coast. Which happens a lot.
 
Last edited:
I agree with you Darin. And I knew up front what the costs were up before I ordered. The costs are being passed along to someone else, so I feel obligated to do what I can for him. I have also ordered repro bezels from ArcadeShop, which I think would be a fair comparison. I need to dig up an actual receipt, but I am pretty sure it was closer to the $25 amount.

Still, he can charge what he wants, and it is up to everyone else to pay it or not. people were asking that I post the actual cost, so I did.
 
pacray said:
I agree with you Darin. And I knew up front what the costs were up before I ordered. The costs are being passed along to someone else, so I feel obligated to do what I can for him. I have also ordered repro bezels from ArcadeShop, which I think would be a fair comparison. I need to dig up an actual receipt, but I am pretty sure it was closer to the $25 amount.

Still, he can charge what he wants, and it is up to everyone else to pay it or not. people were asking that I post the actual cost, so I did.
Click to expand...

Arcadeshop has a UPS account with a daily pickup. Based on volume (he is/was bigger than Mikesarcade because Mikes main business focus is cabinets) AS can negotiate his rate with is local rep. It wouldnt surprise me if AS charged $25.

It wouldnt hurt to ask if there is a Fedex near them, which I dont think there is. To my knowledge the town is less than 1000 population and when UPS drops off packages they all go to the bank to pick them up. Now thats a small town.

Fwiw, I find Mike and Kim to be honest people like you. Im sure something could be worked out. Best of luck Ray!
 
darinjacobs said:
Arcadeshop has a UPS account with a daily pickup. Based on volume (he is/was bigger than Mikesarcade because Mikes main business focus is cabinets) AS can negotiate his rate with is local rep. It wouldnt surprise me if AS charged $25.
Click to expand...

you know, i ordered a bezel for a particular game through AS, and iirc, the shipping was between $20-25. $50 for the bezel and the total was $70 something.
 
I've always found Mikes' shipping pretty steep, but I still buy things there from time to time. Why? convenience.

Same reason I still buy stuff at 7-11 from time to time!
 
Here is the reply I got from Mike's...

FedEx does not pick up from our area, we use USPS because of our location.
The amount on the label is not the entire cost of shipping a package, the
box, the packing materials and the employees also factor into the cost of
shipping products.
Regards,
Kim
Click to expand...

Interesting business model to factor employees into shipping costs.
 
I bought 5 pushbuttons, 1 sound pot, 1 microswitch and 2 nintendo spacers and I was charged $11.50. Pretty steep for something that fit in a small ziplock bag.
 
you guys need to understand something about shipping....when you ship you walk out in the garage and grab a box, that probably has a decent pile of packing in it and re-use it and ship away.

having run a business from home you eventually run out of boxes and padded envelopes, packing material to re-use......chit don't grow on tree's out back,

it all costs money to buy and have shipped to you or drive to pick up, then you get to box the item and have it picked up or drive it over to the hub more time/money . try doing it day in and day out and you soon will be going backwards and now the item you sold and made 2 bucks on is costing you money.

for the love of god if you feel like you're getting butt rammed don't buy from a vendor...pretty simple concept. all these shipping threads are stupid.

B.
 
Iluvcars said:
I bought 5 pushbuttons, 1 sound pot, 1 microswitch and 2 nintendo spacers and I was charged $11.50. Pretty steep for something that fit in a small ziplock bag.
Click to expand...

From my limited shipping experience, it seems like none of the major carriers will ship ANYTHING for less than $10. Depending on the distance that might be pretty reasonable.
 
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