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Once you bid on an item, you are entering into a contract through eBay, the seller, and yourself to pay all charges; including any shipping, handling, etc., no matter how excessive they may be in the initial listing. This is something you need to decide on your own if this item is worth the total cost you are considering. That is, winning bid or Buy it Now (BIN) +insurance +DC (delivery confirmation)+ stated Shipping/handling costs = TOTAL PURCHASE.
As a seller with a USPS account (which is free to sign-up) it is only 18 cents to have a package sent with delivery confirmation. If it it shipped via priority, DC is free to the seller. Demand it! You should also receive an email (either automated after postage label is printed, or manually) letting you know the tracking number and when your item has shipped.
If seller does not have flat rate shipping, which typically includes DC, Ask the seller the weight of your item (before you bid), if it's 7 ounces or less, it SHOULD be sent via first class mail. You will receive it sooner, and it cost less to send.
Do not berate a legitimate seller (FB within 99%+); s/h within reason for item for a few pennies for DC and shipping/handling. Those envelopes/boxes aren't manna from Heaven--- that is, they cost some money for the materials, their time, and delivery to the postal system, and insurance, if needed. If they offer insurance, accept it. Most likely it's $1.65 for items under $50. A great deal. If it's a fragile item, or a one-of-a kind; consider it the cost of getting something you can't get anywhere else! Do some research. Shop on-line at other venues/eBay stores. See if your potential seller is gouging you on S/H.
If your potential item is $1.99, but shipping is $19.99--- is that a good deal? That's your choice to consider. Flat rate Priority boxes (no matter the weight--as long as they fit in the box) are either $4.60 or $8.95 with free DC.
visit usps.com for more details
If the charges are more than 50% over the stated eBay/USPS shipping to deliver to you, DON'T BID. This seller makes money from S/H. You don't need it that bad. Wait a few weeks. The item will show up again.
Again, consider, that your seller may ship many items per day, they deserve a bit of compensation for timely delivery, don't they?? Those items don't get into the boxes themselves, and drive to the PO on their own. A purchase, as well as a positive FB would be a good reward to your kind seller. Please keep this in mind for sellers that do NOT make excessive money on S/H. Most reliable sellers only cover their S/H. Many lose money (or at least break even like me), by trying to keep customers happy and informed with their shipments.
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Guide created: 01/26/08 (updated 07/08/08)
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