There has been occasion where the winning bid has found to be an exceptional deal and then it's time to "check-out" and the shipping price makes up for any deal you thought you aquired.
Well it's too late now sunshine, you bought it! How do you prevent this in the future?

1. Communication: This seems obvious but many don't consider it in advance. Regardless of the product, contact the seller in advance and determine shipping charges. Why pay $45.00 shipping for an $8.00 item? Well if you don't ask in advance, suck it up.

   a. If you just discovered an item with less than a few hours to closure of bid, obviously you probably won't get a response in time. Read the fine print and be realistic. If it says "sold in the Lower 48 States only!" chances are the person isn't lying. If you purchase regardless, expect a large shipping and handling cost.
b.  If you email a request for shipping, ENSURE you identify your ZIP code, Postal Code etc... which cost is based on. Seller is usually not an employee of the Postal Service and can't give you a verifiable cost without this info. Name of City/Town means nothing.
c. Tracking service is a MUST on expensive items (or you have a danger wish). Query how much and ask if it is included, if not and it is an expensive item, pay it, it's usually dirt cheap compared to item cost and is usually based on item cost.
d. Insurance, same deal, if you pay more than a hundred dollars for an item and it breaks or is used as a football in transit without insurance, tough luck binky. Insurance is approx $1.50 per $100.oo. Tell me again why you said no?
e. With respect to insurance (above) you have a coin to toss with regards to duty and taxes. Keep in mind you are ensured through the Postal Service only for IDENTIFIED value. If you want to play games with the taxman, get seperate insurance established with the seller.
f. Specify type of packaging you prefer PRIOR to shipping! Duh! If you want it bullet-proof tell the seller, don't expect them to pay for bubble and popcorn if you don't identify it's important to you! (Most of the time sellers will package to the best of their ability but with a very fragile item, extra care may be required. If neccesary, identify that bubble packaging DOES NOT cost an additional $20.00!
g. Get a delivery time and hold the seller to it. If they say they are sending it Expidited Priority Post and it shows up a month later, call them on it! That was YOUR money spent, not their's.

Receipt:
     a. If you are not home when the package arrives (90% of time) ensure you have other opportunities available such as an unlocked screen door and locked main door it fits between (many times for me).
b. Check your junk mail THOUROUGHLY for a slipped in Postal Service notice you have a pick-up at local office to make.
c. For large items, possibly a neighbour could take delivery. For very large items or restricted items, arrange a delivery time with the Postal Service. Usually they will accomodate you.
d. Don't freak out if customs nails you. It has NOTHING to do with the seller. Contact your customs agency and if you are unprepared, it is your fault.
e. If packaging looks like it was used for a tank-stop in Palestine, either you didn't ask for proper packaging, the seller ignored your request, or the Postal Service used it in a bomb disposal demonstration. Don't assume which, find out.

Feedback:
a. If you receive a product is pristine condition, let the seller know, not just by "Feedback" but by email as well. It goes far to assure same treatment in future.
b. Don't be afraid to leave negative feedback. Yes the seller can reciprocate but chances are the subject will easily identify the guilty party.
c. If you DO NOT receive a product in IDENTIFIED shipping time (or condition), complain to the seller.
d. If you don't receive it at all over an extensive period ( I received a product from Mongolia in 3 weeks,pretty good that!) then complain to Paypal or Ebay. Once again try to contact seller first. If you get a run around, nail them to the wall.

Finally: Majority of this info is in the Use Of E-BAy info centre but some is not. Short version of course is "buyer beware" but there is a great deal of satisfaction through E-bay purchases and few  bad uglies. Bad-uglies do happen though. make sure you are wise enough to prevent or prepare for them.

Jeff