The way I deal with this as a seller is that my base shipping cost covers the price of sending one chip. I then add a small amount for additional chips but I do mention that in my auction description. So I state that I offer combined shipping costs which makes buying 2 chips much cheaper than buying 2 chips separately in separate packages but a little more than the cost of just one chip.

I do agree that it can be confusing - I just hadn't thought that it was until this thread.

What seems clear to me is that the seller needs to be very explicit about shipping charges, regardless of what options you are offering. I hope that I do that as a seller (I think I do, but would take comments on board).

I would also note that the Ebay options allow you to set a rule that states what is the cost of each additional item when combining shipping which does suggest that it doesn't have to be free for the next item (but again, I acknowledge from this thread that it clearly is not clear!)

Jason