Many people seem to charge way too much for shipping and are doing in a stealthy way also. Of course some items do cost a large sum to ship such as a big screen TV for example.

READ ON TO REVIEW SOME SCENARIOS

 I was looking at digital photo frames, and someone's shipping cost for that lightweight object was over $90 domestically from the USA to the USA. What could be the cause of this excessive charging.  The reason is one I don't agree with and is that sellers are trying to make some extra money. Sellers figure that they can put a low price on their object making it seem like a great buy, but put a high shipping cost, hoping that potential buyers will not notice it. Some sellers even put a high starting price and shipping. Then when a buyer gets to checkout for an item that costs $10, so to speak, his final price is $100. This is absurd and then you are stuck.  I strongly advise all buyers to check out every little detail of an item before buying it and make sure you aren't getting ripped off.  Remember it costs extra for a high starting price, but not for a high shipping price.  MAKE SURE YOU SORT ITEMS BY LOWEST PRICE AND SHIPPING AND NOT JUST BY LOWEST PRICE!  I'm glad eBay added that sorting feature.

Another scenario is even harder to discern.  This is when sellers do not put a shipping price and it says view item description for any references to this.  Now two things can happen from there: 1) the listing will say the shipping price.  2) it doesn't.  In case 2 you have to go above and beyond just to make sure you will not get ripped off on shipping prices.  MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT THE SELLER  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.  THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS ASSUME THAT THE PRICE IS REASONABLE AND THEN AT CHECKOUT SEE A RIDICULOUS PRICE.   The seller can put whatever price they want to for shipping so make sure you know what it is.  I know that I am not a high volume seller, but I strive to stand out on eBay, by constantly staying involved and improving myself as a seller and buyer.  One thing I learned is that you should always have copies of email interactions between you and another ebayer sent to your email so if there is a problem you have proof at your disposable. 

The last predicament occurs when you do not have insurance.  By paying the little bit extra for insurance you are putting yourself at a HUGE RISK!  A seller could send you a broken item and when you get it you contact them and say my item is broken.  Then they say that they are sorry, but it must have been damaged in the shipping process but since you don't have insurance there is nothing that can be done.  Especially with more expensive items get insurance and if an item doesn't have insurance try to buy the same item elsewhere if possible.  It could really save you one day.

HOPE THIS HELPS YOU IN BECOMING MORE AWARE.  

cdm160 : "great business, great service, great prices"