Shipping fatigue and your audio habits


Hello my audio brethren. Recently wrapped up some sales and purchases and the reality of shipping is hitting me hard. It’s rough! The insurance, packaging protection, and the very high cost these days to move packages over 50 pounds, and for gear over 100 pounds… yikes. 😬 It has put a serious damper on the buy/try/sell habit I have been operating in for years. It’s good in a way as it helps me squash the audio nervosa 🐛 , but man does it sting to really think about the extreme high cost to do business anymore. Curious how this has affected y’all. For us non-dealer audio nuts:are you finding dealers out there that used to offer really great deals offering less of a discount ? For dealers: when buying large orders from your suppliers, if you can share, what strategies have you had to adapt to to keep your operating margins? For us used audio sellers on a’gon and USAM have you adjusted your sales to NOT include free shipping? Local sales only?

The Amazon effect “I want my crap  and I want it tomorrow and I don’t want to pay for shipping” seems to be running out of steam. Somebody has to pay the bill. For me I have been much more strict on my sales on USAM. I’m not going to eat the cost of shipping all myself anymore, and more generally I’m pausing big ticket purchases. 

Good luck out there and enjoy the music!

 

audiopacer

If it's speakers or anything heavier than about 30 pounds, I'll insist on local pickup only. I've got a 90 pound power amp that I was able to lift when I first bought it, but at 75, I no longer can, and if I sold it, there's no way I would ship it. 

At 73, I'm getting ready to sell my "Big Iron" systems and settle on more "back friendly" equipment. Insured shipping costs are just getting stupid, so I'll be doing this sooner rather than later. Of course, there is always "trade in", but I'm tired of a dealer reaping the juicy value instead of me (my pieces are usually in "as new" condition). It is a lot easier to go this route, however.

Thinking maybe Harbeth P3 ESR-XD, a Sugden A21 and my first Streamer.

My second "Swan Song" system! 

I think the buyer paying shipping and insurance is pretty standard for a private sale.  I have never had an issue including it, as well as requiring Friends and Family or cash to avoid tax reporting. I'm sure the F/F opportunity will evaporate shortly, further affecting private sales.  I love my dealer but generally do better selling vs trading most things like cables and easily shipped items.  For speakers or big amps I would rather trade them in and pay for the service of a dealer.

It is what it is. I don’t sell much but I’ll overpack to avoid damage. I use Pirate ship and so far I’ve not had a problem. Cheers , Mike B.