From what I have seen the shiping cost twice as much as the part's. I guess Im just an old tight wad[77].
I am a tight wad too, you are right I said I bought planes for $3-$15...as a grand total the shipping is just a little more than the items purchased. But what you gonna do? I have looked for years locally for these planes and nada. I sat down yesterday and bought 10 planes as of this morning I wanted (got outbid on a few) for a little over $150 delivered. 100 year old(?) Stanley Bailey, Ohio Tool, a couple coffin planes Auburn tool company, a big Hancock jointer, an old Hamilton...like I said all but one is in working order, that one had what looked to be a good iron that is 3" wide and 6" long. I need that iron for something else and the old busted plane is something I can replicate.
That is one of things I look at when bidding, the shipping costs. Some of those people are scammers, they have "handling fees". They sell something cheap but tack on $20 to shipping, I don't even look at their item if the shipping looks out of line. I ship alot of stuff and have a pretty good idea what it costs.
One lady was cool though, I bought 2 planes from her (the 2 most expensive $15 each) I shot her a note and asked about shipping, she wanted $8 each. She sent a note back saying pay the $16 and she would send a check back for $8 with them, they would both ship in the same box for the same money as just one.
Here is one of the planes...$6.00. The small pair I got for $5 for both ($2.50 each) I am going to use these to work and also use them for patterns (the all wood ones, most of the ones I bought were all wood) to make my own new ones. I have my own steel and a sharpening shop to make that steel tempered knives.