Ebay Shipping Costs

I have been buying stamps on Ebay for a while now and have noticed a relatively new trend. The sellers have exorbitant shipping charges and low selling price to:

1. Cover for a loss in case the item sells for cheap
2. To get around the higher Ebay seller fees.

I got bit when this seller had different shipping for different items. I bought few plate blocks for $2 and shipping $2. I also won a pair of 1996 Priority Mail $3 stamps for which shipping was $12, which did not notice. Thankfully I cancelled the purchase without too much trouble from the seller.

The only ones that are doing any of that now are the ones that don't realize they're paying fees on shipping now. When they look at Their bill, they'll stop quick.

I don't know about stamps, but its been happening with other items for a long time. Ebay counters it with the feedback system, buyers can rate a seller on how reasonable their postage and packing charges are. I try to figure in the postage costs when working out what I am willing to pay. I think you were right to question the $12. charge, just another thing to look out for when buying online.

Hi Ram
I've found this too. You really have to watch the shipping costs. Some sellers will soak you. Some will even charge shipping multiple times if you purchase several items at once. Ebay has used this as the reason for their new fee structure, saying its' to keep these sellers in check, though I fail to see how that works. It's really just more of a cash grab (they are applying fees to shipping charges now, as well as selling price.)
When I sell on ebay I do add a little extra on my shipping charges for material and covering the ebay fees, but I try to be fair. I will always combine shipping charges on multiple purchases. Some buyers take advantage of that, but I figure, good for them, I would too!

jamesw, I am one of those buyers who does take advantage of combined shipping. I will always check out other items from the same seller on that basis. When I do occasionally sell (not stamps, just the usual domestic junk!) I am happy to combine postage too. After all, its less packing and handling for me, as well as cheaper postal charges.

Why would you bid on an item, win it, then complain about the posted shipping costs?

It's like Forrest Gump's mother said: "life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get".

I've found most ebay sellers are honest and reasonable with shipping charges and quality of product.

But, one of my biggest surprises came from a seller who is a member of my own stamp club and lives less than a 10 minute walk away from me.

I won his auctions for a dozen different stamp listings.

I sent him an email (because I didn't recognize his seller's name, only his city) asking if it would be okay if I picked up the stamps to save myself the postage charges.

He refused to allow me to pick up the items; and, also refused to combine $2 per item postage/shipping.

I sent another email saying I expected the purchases to arrive in separate envelopes.

They didn't and were in one envelope.

So, I had to pay $24 to receive something I could have picked up by walking less than a Kilometre.

Since all of the stamps were varieties and each worth more than what I paid for them, including the shipping, I came out of the deal way ahead.

So, "what goes around, comes around" applies here.

I'm not a vindictive person; but, I like to get even.

That's what "Feedback" is all about.

I know when I sell stamps there, postage is included and shipping and handling.... I only add shipping when there is a bulky heavy items,,,hubcaps, large books etc....
Shipping any more is a killer.............. But charge to send out stamps LMAO,,,

Chasa... My gripe is about the seller having different shipping costs on different stamps (in my case). I saw two or three of his items had $2 as shipping & he combined as well, so I failed to notice the $12 shipping on a particular item.

I have been disappointed with some sellers exorbitant shipping fees. I now pay attention to these fees before bidding on an item and avoid such sellers. My experience has been that sellers are willing to combine lots at a modest fee which pleases me immensely.

I buy a lot of stamps from ebay and closely watch shipping costs or inquire in advance. When I see the sellers who do those jerky over the top fees I just laugh and move on - if they do that they will mess with you in some other way as well. On the other hand, the ones who offer free shipping get my attention in a positive manner.

I agree Scouter, the high shipping costs are an invitation to leave. There was another listing I wanted to bid on today, shipping to US and Canada, but only listed shipping prices in the States. I was to contact seller for fees to Canada. As there was only a few minutes left in the auction there was not time. Why not list your fees to where you ship?
I won't bid anymore, not knowing fees. That way lies grief.

Its eBay this and eBay that and eBay hows your soul ? But its thin red line of eroes when the drums begin to roll..apologies to Kipling I couldnt come up with a better second sentence !!

buyer beware - always check - thats what I do - if I am not happy with the shipping cost then I dont bid/buy - I have found that most of the sellers I have dealt with on ebay have been good with shipping - those that werent I havent dealt with and have let them know why

i combine the asking price and the shipping and if its acceptable I bid...i saw some Argentine labels I had been looking for ...the price was only 1.99 and the shipping from Argentina $3.50...in this case the total of $5.49 was very acceptable to me !!

Just curious.. is there a way to filter listings on eBay based on the shipping costs & the cost of item?

Ram