Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: Jim on February 10, 2026, 05:06:57 pm

Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: Nick on February 12, 2026, 11:47:11 pm

Shipping has never been cheap to Australia since I’ve been collecting, 10 years ago it was about $80 for me to send a Stuart BB down under.

Check out these prices for small rc parts I just spotted on eBay 😂

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Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: Jim on February 12, 2026, 10:56:39 pm

Some receipts from around 6 years ago.....much more reasonable!!!

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Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: SEUSA on February 12, 2026, 11:10:47 am

I know the pain. I bought a nice $400 steam plant in Germany and it was going to be almost another $400 to ship it. ($800)
I simply relisted it with the auction  company and sold it a few months later.

I either really have to want it bad or it be 10% of worth to justify buying anything overseas now.

Sorry. I too feel the same way.

Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: pwalchak on February 12, 2026, 01:19:50 am

I'd read in a particular listing that the shipping prices are set by some eBay algorithm that is all hosed up, and that I should email the lister for the actual shipping cost.  I then tried that about a week later with a different seller and they insisted the cost listed is the actual shipping cost.

I did get the sense that the latter seller was fed up with Trump tariffs and so as a Yank it became my personal fault somehow.  OF course, no way to prove that.  So who knows?

Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: Weedensteam on February 11, 2026, 04:17:49 pm

Quote from: Stoker on February 11, 2026, 08:52:54 am

I've seen some ridiculously high ones myself, but you obviously have me seriously beat in this department Jim ... unfortunately for you.

Makes you wonder how Jin keeps his shipping down as low as he does.

I would say Jin's packaging protocols are his form of "insurance" for international shipping!

I believe the government of China subsidies the postage for a lot of international dealers.

It would seem like some sellers in other countries tend to offer a low selling price and mark up the shipping and handling to compensate.

Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: Jim on February 11, 2026, 03:54:24 pm

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Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: Jim on February 11, 2026, 03:53:47 pm

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Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: Stoker on February 11, 2026, 08:52:54 am

I've seen some ridiculously high ones myself, but you obviously have me seriously beat in this department Jim ... unfortunately for you.

Makes you wonder how Jin keeps his shipping down as low as he does.

I would say Jin's packaging protocols are his form of "insurance" for international shipping!

Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: St Paul Steam on February 11, 2026, 06:02:00 am

I can't tell you the last time I bought from overseas, but it's been a while, damages, no real viable ins, & shipping cost have kept me away.

Title: Re: Postage Prices
Post by: Jim on February 10, 2026, 08:58:10 pm

Who sets these postage prices? Same seller two different engines and very different postage prices -

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Title: Postage Prices
Post by: Jim on February 10, 2026, 05:06:57 pm

The vast majority of my engines were sourced from the U.K and the U.S.A and the postage was really acceptable, then virtually overnight it went up to ridiculous amounts.

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