Shopping on ebay offers the possibility of getting a great deal and/or finding an item you want that you've been unable to find elsewhere. One recurring headache with both buyers and sellers is getting that bargain from the seller to the buyer.

When a buyer is ready to buy, it's important to always factor in the cost of shipping and handling before you bid. Use the shipping calculator. Ask the seller if you're unsure. Make sure you know exactly how much it will cost, if the item is insurable, and how soon you can expect to receive your item.

Setting reasonable rates for shipping and handling sometimes seem more art than science. Shipping and insurance fees are determined by the carrier and are a hard cost. The buyer can go to the websites of the postal service, UPS and other carriers to determine actual shipping and insurance rates, if the weight of the item is known.

Handling and packaging fees are where the situation gets dicey. Some sellers include their ebay and Paypal fees in the handling charge. Some inflate handling on low cost items in order to keep from having to pay ebay final value fees. The first practice is iffy; the second is blatantly against ebay policies. If you see an auction for 99 cents, but shipping and handling are $20, you are probably dealing with an unscrupulous seller (unless the item up for auction is very heavy, like a bowling ball.).

So how do buyers and sellers determine what is fair and reasonable? Buyers must understand that handling and packaging fees above actual shipping are necessary and the vast majority of sellers are not making money on shipping. Boxes, envelopes, bubble wrap, styrofoam peanuts and tape cost money. Packaging takes time. Most sellers are one person operations, and getting packages ready to ship can take hours each week. Some sellers have the capability of printing postage at home or the office, then having packages picked up by their mail carrier. Others go to the post office, which can be expensive in gas and time. Also, some items require far more handling and packaging materials than others. All a book needs is a padded envelope, but an antique porcelain clock requires bubble wrap, a box within a box, styrofoam peanuts and extra tape. Charging a handling fee of 75 cents or a dollar for a book is reasonable; it covers the envelope and the time it takes to mail. A handling charge of $9-11 for the antique clock would probably barely cover the seller's expenses.

Another factor to consider is the shipping time. Sellers have no control over how long their merchandise is in transit, but they do control when it is shipped. If the seller's shipping policy does not clearly state when an item will be shipped, the buyer should ask, especially if time is important. If a buyer pays for expedited shipping or Priority Mail, it is reasonable to expect the seller to ship within 48 hours after payment is confirmed. It is also reasonable for the seller to notify buyers when their item has shipped.

Another cost to consider is delivery confirmation. Unfortunately, fraud is widespread and sellers have to protect themselves against claims of undelivered items. More and more sellers are adding delivery confirmation into the S&H.

Good sellers care deeply about their buyers and take pride in getting their merchandise out quickly and at the most reasonable price. Good buyers do their homework so they know how much they will pay and how long (approximately) it will take to get their great bargain before they hit the Bid Now button.