General Forum

I like Sportlots and COMC over cardbarrel.  Not nearly as big of a selection.

Very true for cardbarrel. But also look at it this way, that is just one seller whereas Sportlots and COMC are hundreds of sellers so inventory is going to be different. There have been several times where I had both screens open at the same time playing the comparision ($$$) game or buying from one and filling the holes with other. Just did it to try and to try and finish off '17 and '18 Bowman Prospects (regular and Chrome). As seen by others, there are multiple options and each has their preference. Cardbarrel and a few select vendors on Sportlots tend to get what I need at a reasonable price.

The other thing for me on COMC is I make it cost effective by being patient.  I wait for a couple months until I have 100 cards, then I ship to get the $5 credit.  If I have 103 cards when I'm ready to ship, I only ship 100, so I can start on the next $5.

I'm confused with what you said Sportslots is doing with shipping. What you're saying is that you pay shipping from the seller to the "box" then you pay additional shipping to get the cards?

Short answer, yes, exactly.

I had been putting cards into my cart from seller I use regularly. I had forgotten that the Box thing had gone active when I checked out. When I got to shipping options I had the regular premium and discount options, but also given the Box option. It was by far the cheapest option ($1.90 instead of $6.35 for a discount direct shipment) and I thought that is was a new media mail type option. It's marked as Postage/Handling so it could be seller's cost to cover the shipment to the Box. A couple hours later I realized what the Box was and I contacted Sportlots about changing the shipping option...too late, the seller was quick (per usual and a good thing) on getting the cards pulled and shipped. So when I got the notice last night that they were in my Box I had them shipped here knowing there would be an additional charge. I didn't know what that charge would be until I checked out though.

The order was 112 cards; Sportlots charged $4.99 to ship from their warehouse/holding facility to CT. I can't find a FAQ that states the seller is required to or is optional to charge shipping from them to the Box. With that said, I also don't know if every seller will charge for that cost to. As stated in the forum, Sportlots will be tweaking their cost formula, but at least it's baseline others here can work with.

Maybe I don't understand the benefits, then, to having the two shipping costs and would be best to just stay with one seller at a time. It sure affects when you're wanting to take advantage of Sportlots' $0.18/card price on most commons, even those from late 60s.

I agree. I hadn't planned on using the Box and now that I have, won't do it again.

The Sportlots box only really benfits you if:

The sellers you are working with have really BIG discounts on the shipping to the box

or

Your sellers are not in the the same country as you.

In either case, it appears that what makes it matter is dealing with multiple sellers is where the benefit is seen.

For what it's worth, I just got my SportLots shipment from the Box. The cards were split into 5 bubble mailers (about 22 cards per) and then were packed in peanuts and air cushions. I have ordered from the seller before so I know the bubble mailers came from SportLots when they got his shipment. The shipping location on the box indicates Green Bay. Again, for what it's worth. 

When you see a card listing on sport lots  click on  sellers name.   Some set high  shipping cost for a few cards  to hinder people from buying 3 cards  from them  and 4 from another.  but offer box rates that are very low. 

On the right is the result filter,  filter by  sellers that are in your cart already   or just a few  by clicking the check box  and unclicking the ALL SELLERS option (I keep forgetting that) 

 Look for RED or BLUE check marks after sellers name   click on seller name to see his rates 

 and that little blue box in shopping cart,  click that and you can search only that seller's inventory.  

  i HAVE  used the new BOX method with sellers that ship to my BOX for free or like 50 cents.  When Sportlots get the cards in Green Bay  and you request the ship them out to you in one package and you pay their postage.  The seller has your cards in a box with other buyers cards,  Sportlots separates them (your cards are to be in a envelope seperate from others) and puts them in your box.  I am getting about 200 cards  for an additional $8.00 P & H.   

I did shake my head at one dealer  from canada  he is great and under grades most his vintage cards  I think.    To USA  it cost  $100.00,   normal prices to Canada   and to Box  $1.00.   I realize  he wants to save on paperwork for custom forms   Only need to fill out one  not  5 or 6.  Now it made sense.

Also  they seller is allowed more time to aquire orders to mail at one time  so they may only ship  once or twice a week.

Robert