I didn't make any criticism about any specific fee that is charged. I have purchased chips from people that charge separate s/h and insurance fees. I feel that is reasonable as it allows the buyer to forgo the insurance if HE is willing to take the risk. I often skip the insurance as most of my purchases will be between $10 - $15. I am prepared to take that risk. I have yet to have any problems with auctions for which I bid. I had a few delays but never have not gotten what I was promised. I have a couple of times purchased items for $25 - $50 where insurance was actually a smart idea. In fact as you get to more expensive or rare items or, as you describe,i precious metals, Insurance is probably advisable and is often demanded from the seller to protect him from a lost shipment and a potential claim. I can understand that.

The issue here though is S/H and any dealer is entitled to reimbursement for their expenses. I will even add some for the standing in line at the P.O. That time is probably worth something. However, with chips, I think, personally, $2.00 is reasonable for a chip. If a bidder wins multiple auctions It should be expected that up to 6(?) chips can be shipped together in the same envelope for the same postage while standing in line for the same amount of time. Some dealers who hide other expenses, not related to postage and packaging and the process of shipping, and especially profits into their S/H are crossing a line. S/H is a reimbursement for an expense. Not a guarantee for profit. These fees are especially offensive if they are charging the fee, "Per Chip", with no reduction for multiple orders. As I mentioned before, whether 1 chip or 6 chips, I think the S/H expense will be identical. Charging per chip just represents more profit since it really does not cost him for the additional 5 chips. I would like to ask one of our attorney friends here, What would happen if an attorney was representing 6 clients as a group relating to 1 case. He goes to a meeting with the other side and spends an hour talking to the adversaries attorney. What would happen if he billed each of his clients for that full hour, rather than dividing the time amongst them thus billing 6 hours for that 1 hour of time?

I will acknowlege that I am referring to my experience with receiving CHIPS. Other items would naturally warrant a higher price. For example, I have purchased decks of cards on a few occasions. I innitially fealt that a dealer I bought from was unreasonable when he charged me $6 per dozen decks of cards for shipping. I won two lots from him and inquired if there was a reduction for multiple orders. He said that he could reduce the shipping to $11.57. I was upset with that and just sent him the $12 anyways. When I got the cards I noticed that the shipping was Priority Mail and was in excess of $9 for the box. I realize now that 24 decks of cards, while relatively small are heavy. Considering the cost of the box and his schlepping it to the P.O. I now realize that the price was fairly reasonable.

Lastly, Relating to several posts on similar subjects on this board, I have received email from dealers who are concerned about lumping all dealers in criticisms on this board. I would like to make it clear that I am not referring to all dealers and any implication of that is unintentional. I am referring to the ONE dealer, as an example, that was mentioned at the beginning of this thread. I do not know who he is but this issue is repeated by many sellers on eBay. Not only regarding chips but regarding just about every catagory on the auction service. If the dealer is up front with their fees and has accurately presented them the only recourse is to not deal with them. I personally will not and do not buy from these types. I do not want to encourage this abuse of the concept of shipping and handling. The answer to this whole problem in two words, Buyer Beware.