My main activity on Ebay is as a seller.  In my 8+ years as an active Ebay seller I have sent out over 20,000 packages from Canada to mainly US destinations.  I love US buyers!   However, as a buyer on Ebay, I can't say I have been as happy.  99.8% of my Ebay buying has been with US sellers.  As an Ebay buyer I have been reflecting on how my misfortunes might be avoided in future.  Then it ocurred to me that I have been cautious and specifically wary in a methodical manner that may be of benefit  to others as well.  That is the upshot of this article.  How to avoid some problems in advance, particularly as a buyer on Ebay.
  When I ask anyone in Canada about their Ebay experience, the principal comment is :"I got burned!" . Virtually all Canadian buyers reported that not only was the item in worse condition than described, but that the shipping costs were excessive. Canadian buyers are a small influence on US sellers.  In fact, many US sellers do not cater to international buyers. That is unfortunate as that does limit the market to US buyers only. My main thrust in this article is not with sellers charging too much for international shipping .  My contention is that many US sellers are exploiting US buyers.    This is pitfall #1...many US sellers ARE CHARGING TOO MUCH FOR SHIPPING TO  USA BUYERS! 
  Most of my beefs with some US sellers is the inordinate amount charged for shipping!!!!  I try to be careful when looking to bid on auctions or buy from an Ebay store, but once in a while I miss the fact that there is no price announced for shipping, and I presume that the shipping will be reasonable.
  Let's take a moment and analyse "reasonable" shipping costs.  I have a US post office box for delivery within the USA, so all my deliveries are to me within the USA. .  In my opinion, I feel that "reasonable" shipping costs for small packages or envelopes should be actual postage plus 2 or 3 dollars extra for handling/costs.  (Large packages about $5.00-10.00).  After all, we do not begrudge costs of material and time to package an item.  If an item costs $1.85 for  the postage, then anything from $3-5.00 total  is what I would expect to pay for the shipping.  I have no problem accepting a flat rate of $5.00 to ship  items.  In fact, many sellers will  ship multiple items at little or no additional costs.  I love buying from these sellers!  In fact, when I win or am likely to win an item with any single seller, I will go out of my way to find other items from that same seller so that I can combine shipping.  The key factor is that I already know what  the cost is going to be.   Adding shipping costs will be a factor in anyone's decision-making process.  But if that seller is not clearly expressing a shipping cost, then the expectation of reasonableness on the part of the seller is really an issue.  My last 6 unsatisfactory deals as a buyer were based on the error of my own assumption!  I assumed that the seller was going to charge a "reasonable" amount for shipping!  I was WRONG!!!!!!!  Without exception, when the seller did not announce or display a shipping cost, the seller charged too much for shipping.  I recently won several comic books from a seller who had no shipping cost posted in the Ebay listing.  Imagine my surprise when the expected cost was not about $5.00, but $11.98.  I did not see any posted price, so I reluctantly paid it and resolved to never buy from that seller again.  When I received the package, the actual cost was $6.45 for priority mail insured.  The extra $5.54 added to the cost of the item made it not as attractive to buy in the first place.  I would  rather have spent that with a more up-front seller.  In fact, if the seller had paid attention to my request, he would have shipped first class insured for $3.65.  My preference was not priority mail.  It occurs to me that unco-operative sellers are generally not the best individuals to deal with.   Not all buyers need the economy of shipping.  Some buyers just want their purchase protected from  delivery hazards.  Insured, well-boxed packing may be worth the extra costs, but my complaint is with those sellers who charge more than  a reasonable amount, regardless of the level of service provided.  Recently I was shopping for  replacement ink-jet cartriges for my printer.  Many sellers are  asking a reasonable price for  their goods.  But when I checked the shipping costs...what a shock!  One seller quoted that one cartridge costs $8.00 for postage alone . Other sellers even charge more than that for shipping.  This is something that should be no more than $2.00 for first class mail.  If that seller had not posted the shipping cost , I might have presumed a "reasonable" cost would be passed on to me.  Because of the posted shipping cost in this case, at least I was not in for a surprise.  I have looked at the electronics for sale on Ebay of late and it looks like those really great prices on Ebay are mis-leading.  Buying a laptop computer on Ebay for $400.00 looks like a good deal at first, but when you have to factor in the $99.00 to ship to you...that seems excessive.  Even $49.00 is excessive.  Before you sellers who are guilty of this jump on me and complain that my stance is unrealistic, let me make a few things clear.  I am a seller.  I know what these things really cost to send.  I can send the same items for substantially less than you charge (30-60% less) and I can still make money on shipping.  $49.00 to send a $400.00 computer  insured and well packed by USPS is starting at about $27.00.  Where does the extra money go?  I can only presume that it is the sellers' commission or even profit margin, but that is not the point of this article. If I know what the  shipping cost  will be, at least I know the facts.  I have the choice to buy from anyone, whatever the cost.  But, be assured, shipping costs are important. I would like to see a more flexible stance on shipping options from sellers, but that is entirely up to the seller.
  That was long-winded!  In summary;

 Buyers should be quite clear about shipping costs.  If there is no posted  shipping cost, do NOT presume that it is going to be reasonable. In fact, an unannounced shipping cost usually is more than any buyer expects!  Contact the seller and get an exact cost.  If  the seller is not willing to state cost of shipping, then you will not be happy with the cost when the time comes to pay for shipping.

Sellers...make sure buyers know you are charging $5.00 handling and everything is sent Fed-Ex express etc.  Make your shipping policy & practices clear to the buyers.  Most sellers are happy to quote shipping costs in their listings.  Keep it up!  We, as buyers,  appreciate knowing your details so that we can make an informed decision!!

  One more idea to consider may help to make the buying experience more enjoyable...loosen up!  If shipping time looks like it is a bit long, don't hang the seller.  Many disputes involve delays in receiving an item.  Consider that the seller will send the item as soon as is humanly  possible. Then consider that the USPS  is the actual delivery  vehicle.  The seller is not able to get the POST OFFICE  to work any faster.  You Americans are truly  fortunate!  You have a fantastic postal system.  Safe, secure, and  fast!  I encourage you to compare your postal system with anywhere else in the world.  If you do, you will realise that you have the best mail delivery system on earth!!  As a Canadian, I am envious of  the US postal system!  I go through great effort and expense to get my packages to the USA .  It often takes weeks to get my packages out to American buyers due to the Canadian Postal system and then the US/Canada border by way of its' customs inspectors adding to the delay.  That border is an added barrier to shipping, to be sure.  Anyway,  buyers, please be patient!  Some sellers have rigid policies because some unreasonable buyers expect almost overnight shipping.  That really fast shipping spurs some sellers to offer only express shipping.  As a buyer I am happy to wait for media mail!  If delivery speed is really important to you, just relay that to the seller...most sellers are glad to oblige by using the express services available. 

  Once you buyers know to look for shipping costs, you won't be surprised by "shipper" shock! (When you receive a shipping bill in excess of the value of the item you bought!  LOL)  .

  Sellers;  Keep in mind that excessive shipping costs will discourage buyers from spending more with you!  Please make sure that  your selling rates and practices are easy to find in each listing.

  As to the poor Canadian/foreign buyers who are charged too much....the same  advice goes for international buyers; Get a quote from the seller as to actual cost to send to Canada or abroad.  As a seller, I receive 5-20 emails per day requesting a quote for airmail to Europe or Asia, etc.  Everyone appreciates the info.  Also, I try to be reasonable...I don't need to make my profit margin by padding the shipping costs. After all,  I have only one customs form to fill in. 
 
Meanwhile, all you buyers on Ebay, check the sellers' feedback and shipping policies, and buy all the great deals on Ebay, have fun!  This is a great time to be online!!