Author Topic: Random questions.  (Read 1318823 times)

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6920 on: October 12, 2023, 02:35:10 PM »
Sellers negotiate really good rates with DHL that are significantly cheaper than USPS. Just because it will be a pain for you to have your item go to Secaucus (that's where it was when I was dealing with them a bunch of years ago) will not make it worthwhile for a seller to create rules that certain zip codes get shipped USPS or whatever.

Though in all likelihood, you will get the item within the same time as USPS first class would get you the item, albeit with a higher risk the item will just get stuck in Secaucus without ever making its way to you.

As for the $5 shipping charge, they must have no competition and are charging you because they can.

I wasn't aware that DHL was a sensible domestic shipping option, I thought they specialized in international. Oh well.

(I don't mind the shipping time, I specifically ordered from them because they were significantly cheaper than anyone else and I'm not in a rush to get that book.)
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Offline Yehuda57

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6921 on: October 12, 2023, 02:41:26 PM »
I wasn't aware that DHL was a sensible domestic shipping option, I thought they specialized in international. Oh well.

(I don't mind the shipping time, I specifically ordered from them because they were significantly cheaper than anyone else and I'm not in a rush to get that book.)

It's the equivalent of the UPS and FedEx last mile services. ETA: but less reliable

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6922 on: October 12, 2023, 04:19:20 PM »
Can someone explain to me why a seller in NJ would ship a book to NY using DHL Global Mail with 4-13 business days delivery time?

And this is after actually charging $5.50 for shipping. Absurd.
I'm really curious which book you bought from such a seller.

Offline CountValentine

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6923 on: October 12, 2023, 10:32:09 PM »
Why does Tefillin cost $400? Is it the material or something else?
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Offline imayid2

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6924 on: October 12, 2023, 10:36:52 PM »
Why does Tefillin cost $400? Is it the material or something else?
Material plus labor. Needs specific parchment and to be written by hand by a qualified scribe and assembled properly.

$400 is the cheapest out there. Standard is probably over $1000.

Offline Jellybelly

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6925 on: October 12, 2023, 10:37:41 PM »
Why does Tefillin cost $400? Is it the material or something else?

That’s sounds pretty cheap, I guess Dan got a good deal.
Where I come from they cost  $2500

Offline yungermanchik

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6926 on: October 12, 2023, 10:40:30 PM »
Why does Tefillin cost $400? Is it the material or something else?
It has to be painstakingly written by hand following precise guidelines with a quill and ink on specially processed parchment and placed in a specially processed hide box sewn up with sinew string and threaded and tied with specially processed leather straps.
Small people talk about other people.
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Offline YitzyS

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6927 on: October 12, 2023, 10:44:09 PM »
Here are two videos that came up from a quick Google search



Offline CountValentine

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6928 on: October 12, 2023, 10:46:50 PM »
It has to be painstakingly written by hand following precise guidelines with a quill and ink on specially processed parchment and placed in a specially processed hide box sewn up with sinew string and threaded and tied with specially processed leather straps.
Material plus labor. Needs specific parchment and to be written by hand by a qualified scribe and assembled properly.

$400 is the cheapest out there. Standard is probably over $1000.
I am going to guess they must follow strict religious rules? Generic ones are out of the question?
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Offline Dan

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6929 on: October 12, 2023, 10:47:37 PM »
Why does Tefillin cost $400? Is it the material or something else?
$400 is a bargain. They're hand written by a scribe trained in calligraphy on hide.
I was quoted $5,800 for 2 top-quality pairs of Tefilin for @Rafi's bar mitzvah next year...
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Offline YitzyS

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6930 on: October 12, 2023, 10:52:14 PM »
2 pairs of Tefilin
A weekday pair and a Shabbos pair?  :P

Offline CountValentine

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6931 on: October 12, 2023, 10:57:16 PM »
For comparison Catholic children get a rosary (used for prayers) for conformation. Very nice ones are under $100. 
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Offline Dan

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6932 on: October 12, 2023, 11:05:13 PM »
A weekday pair and a Shabbos pair?  :P
How do you think my father got 14 pairs into Russia in the mid 80s?
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Offline Dan

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6933 on: October 12, 2023, 11:06:00 PM »
A weekday pair and a Shabbos pair?  :P
Just be happy the Rebbe didn't task us with asking frum Jews if they put on R"T today. ;D
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Offline Dan

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6934 on: October 12, 2023, 11:06:50 PM »
For comparison Catholic children get a rosary (used for prayers) for conformation. Very nice ones are under $100. 
Now ask what a torah scroll costs. :)
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Offline CountValentine

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6935 on: October 12, 2023, 11:11:36 PM »
Now ask what a torah scroll costs. :)
High side 50k?
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Offline Savingsbeast

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6936 on: October 12, 2023, 11:25:03 PM »
More like mid-range...

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6937 on: October 12, 2023, 11:37:55 PM »
More like mid-range...
So 100k would be high range?
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Offline YitzyS

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6938 on: October 12, 2023, 11:48:03 PM »
How do you think my father got 14 pairs into Russia in the mid 80s?
Right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot...

Famous story of a thief who stole tefillin and tried to sell them to a frum guy. Guy said he needs to try them on first. Put on left hand, head, then reached back into the bag. "Hey, it's missing the other hand. This is an incomplete set. The most I'll give you for this is $50."

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Re: Random questions.
« Reply #6939 on: October 13, 2023, 12:59:13 AM »
I'm really curious which book you bought from such a seller.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31006352242

I've actually bought from them in the past, good but slow experience (as expected).
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