Andy,

When I sell chips, I only charge actual postage, if I charge at all. Since I reuse bubble mailers and there is no cost to me, I do not charge buyers for bubble mailers. Since this is not a business, ie. income producing activity, any time it takes me to pack and ship chips is for me a labor of love and I do not charge for it. So, if I am shipping one chip in a bubble mailer, my charge is the actual USPS postage of 49c plus optional insurance and any other mailing options the buyer wants. I do not expect other sellers to do the same. I think it is outrageous when sellers want to charge any more than $1 to mail a chip. But I frequently pay more than $1 if I am buying a chip I want and the total price I pay for the item including shipping is reasonable. If not, then I don't bid. But once I bid, I accept the seller's terms and conditions. I am then obligated to complete the transaction according to the seller's terms and conditions. If I didn't like the terms and conditions, then I won't bid.

I am not defending those who overcharge on shipping. There are sellers who not only recover the shipping charges, but also recover eBay and Paypal fees and then some with high shipping charges. It is totally wrong. But, sellers are allowed to charge whatever they want to for shipping. It is the buyer who has to decide if they want to pay the shipping charge when they decide to bid. It would be great if eBay was able to regulate shipping charges to reasonable and customary rates based on the item and distance. Until that happens, it is the buyer beware.