At Rail & Road Auctions, we understand that shipping is an important part of your buying experience. We’re committed to transparency, efficiency, and fairness. To help manage our shipping operations, we use a platform called Shipping Saint—a tool designed specifically for auction houses to streamline and standardize the shipping process.

What is Shipping Saint?

Shipping Saint is not a third-party shipping company. It is a software platform that allows us to:

• Track packing time and materials used per order
• Generate accurate, carrier-compliant shipping labels
• Secure discounted rates with major carriers (UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL)
• Manage insurance claims directly through the system
• Communicate address confirmations and shipping updates with buyers

Shipping Saint helps ensure that every shipment is carefully documented and accounted for from start to finish.

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Shipping Costs: What to Expect

We do not offer flat-rate shipping. Every shipment is unique and priced accordingly based on:

• Size, weight, and fragility of the package
• Distance and carrier zone rates
• Time and materials required for safe packing

We charge for:

• Labor (time spent packing your order)
• Materials (boxes, bubble wrap, tape, filler)
• Postage (carrier rates via negotiated discounts)

We aim to keep our costs below what you’d find at a local pack-and-ship retail store, but we also believe in paying our team a fair wage and covering the overhead costs of a professional shipping department.

While some platforms (e.g., eBay or Pirate Ship) may offer lower carrier rates due to volume, our focus is on accuracy, accountability, and service—not just cost alone.

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Insurance & Damage Claims

Shipping Saint manages the claims process directly with the carrier when insurance is purchased at the time of label creation. If your item is lost or damaged:

• You’ll receive instructions from Shipping Saint to file your claim
• Claims are handled through their interface—not through our staff
• We’ve had excellent results when buyers follow the required steps

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Address Verification

To reduce delivery issues, Shipping Saint prompts buyers to confirm or update their shipping address before a label is generated. Any changes will automatically alert our team to update the quote and prevent misdelivery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are packing materials and labor charged separately?
A: Packing and shipping are not included in the buyer’s premium. They are treated as a separate service with real costs—staff wages, material purchases, insurance, and shipping software all contribute to these charges.

Q: Can I get a shipping quote before I bid?
A: Due to the wide variety of item sizes and shipping destinations, we are unable to provide pre-auction shipping quotes. Flat-rate shipping is not practical and would require some buyers to subsidize the cost of others’ larger or heavier orders.

Q: Do rates vary by location?
A: Yes. Shipping rates are based on the origin and destination zones, and often influenced by a pricing model called Dimensional Weight (charging by volume rather than weight). These factors can cause substantial variation in pricing—even between similar items.

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Our Philosophy

We take pride in treating our customers with fairness, respect, and transparency. In return, we ask for the same consideration. We are a small business—our team members are real people working hard to provide excellent service to a growing collector base. Most of our customers are thoughtful and understanding, and we do everything we can to exceed expectations for them.

If you ever have a question about your shipping quote or the process, we welcome the opportunity to assist you.