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() ¶ no quarrel with the shipping charges. Fine with me when sellers hope to get back their fees and some profit that can't be "taxed" by eBay. Also, those who quibble about it seem to forget that the shipping charge (or whatever it is called) can honestly include the seller's handling and supplies -- tape, packing materials, his time in finding boxes, packing it and going to the post office. Within reason, eBay lets him charge for all of that.
¶ the main reason for this post concerns this clause in the auction, a clause that seems very reasonable, was put in in good faith and which I used use once upon a time:
Shipping will be 1st class USPS for $7.50. Add insurance and delivery confirmation for $2.50 more. USA & Canada only. I STRONGLY recommend insurance. I cannot be responsible for lost or stolen mail unless you pay for the insurance [emphasis mine]. I will package your item between cardboard and it well be well taped and insulated. I will accept Paypal, personal check or money order.
Insurance protects the SELLER. The SELLER is responsible for getting the item to reach the buyer's hands. The seller can dictate the amount the buyer pays for shipping/handling/insurance. If the seller states that the buyer has to pay for insurance, the winning bidder must pay it. These are almost universal rules. And the important thing is that when you place bids and put up items for auction on eBay, you are bound by the "users' agreement" of eBay and PayPal. No one forces you to place an auction or bid. Especially with PayPal (where you can use your credit card to fund your payment), this applies. Note the green banner in the upper right hand part of the auction that says "PayPal -- up to $2000 in buyer protection." The seller can't override that by saying "insurance is optional." A number of times I tried to start a discussion with some auction sellers about this but got no where. So I do what every buyer should do in PayPal auctions -- say nothing, don't pay for optional insurance, and demand my money back if the item does not arrive (with a charge-back as last resort). (And, again, I have no quarrel with the the seller here. I am just using the thread as an opportunity to spout about what I see all the time.)
Those who still think insurance can be made "optional" on eBay/PayPal can post the question on eBay's "Packaging & Shipping" Discussion Board and be enlightened:
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/forum.jspa?forumID=96&anticache=1198210684977
Robert
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