Online auctions by bpl@umich.edu - Payment and shipping policies
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Dr. Bradley Lehman      bpl@umich.edu      [Introduction] [Payment inside USA] [Payment outside USA] [eBay rating]

Hello, and thanks for checking out my auctions!

Most of my items for auction are classical recordings, books related to music, videos, and audiobooks. In the musical items you are buying from someone who knows the music (doctorate in harpsichord), not a general volume dealer. (And check out my own performances with these samples at mp3.com...)

I generally do not sell any items where the bidding is expected to go over $50.00, but I'm willing to be pleasantly surprised by an auction that does! It's only a hobby to support my own collecting....

If you win one of my auctions, payment is expected within ten days of the end of the auction. I then usually send the item on the Saturday after receiving payment (having some spare time Friday evenings for the packaging).

Shipping costs quoted in the auction are for packaging and postage within the US. This amount is estimated by shipping weight and by the cost of the packing materials: bubble wrap and/or cardboard LP mailers. I also sometimes reuse other mailers from auctions I've won, if in good condition. Everything is of course sealed securely with plastic postal tape.

See also my other current eBay auctions and my other current Amazon auctions. If you win more than one of my auctions, it is usually possible to combine the shipping and save some money. I can hold your item while we see how additional auctions turn out.

Payment and shipping inside the USA

The shipping amount is in the item's auction description.

Any of these payment options is fine:

  • Check in US dollars drawn on a US bank: mail it to the address below
  • Money order in US dollars: mail it to the address below
  • Purchase of an appropriate amount of online store credit as a gift certificate, instead of sending payment directly to me. I usually suggest Amazon gift certificates ($10.00 minimum) which can be purchased by credit card and sent by e-mail to "bpl@umich.edu".
  • Use of PayPal escrow service (free!) to pay by credit card (Visa/MasterCard). If you're not yet a PayPal member, but you sign up through this link, we each get a signup bonus (credit into our PayPal accounts) and I will give you free US shipping on your auction item!
  • Use of BidPay to generate an international Western Union money order

I usually ship by First Class or Priority Mail, whichever is less expensive. Book Rate is also possible if you ask for it, but it is considerably slower. Furthermore, it does not save any money if the items are CD's.

Payment and shipping outside the USA

First we need to calculate the actual shipping cost to your location; this US Postal Service international calculator usually gives a good estimate. Small Packets Airmail and Global Priority Flat Rate usually work best. Add $1.00 for my packaging materials. In most cases I can mark the customs form as "gift" and you will not have to pay any incoming duties on it.
  • Gift certificate credit card payment preferred, as described in the section above
  • International money order in US dollars (note: Canadian postal money orders are not accepted at my bank) : mail it to the address below
  • Use of BidPay to generate an international Western Union money order
  • Check in US dollars drawn on a US bank only: mail it to the address below
  • Cash if very securely wrapped and hidden, but this is not as reliable as the above options; I advise against it if possible!

Mailing address for checks or money orders

Please include the item number(s), and mail your payment to the address given in your end-of-auction invoice.

Or for electronic payment, use this e-mail address: bpl@umich.edu (That's B-P-L, not B-P-one)

Thanks for your bids!