Yes on the shipping thing! It could have been a factor in the bidding, I got an education on shipping this past August with an eastern shore cupboard. It was THREE TIMES the usual cost and, I was lucky to get it for that number!
I'll admit I had grown very spoiled at USHIP.com over the last 10-15 years, it was cheap, fast, and very reliable. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!
Another nail in the coffin of antique furniture prices perhaps? Shipping ain't no joke these days & is a major cost of anything that requires shipping large bulky items like furniture..