... with all the add on fees an item gets tacked on it has been growing impossibile to sell a low value item without someone taking the hit, EXCEPT those charging the fees (paypal, eBay, etc.).

I understand the delima, but I have seen sellers reactions to it also. What they do is sell in LOTS. Listing costs are reduced.

When I buy an item I LOOK to see if there is anything else the seller has I could use and would combine shipping- that cuts my costs down (his too, by shipping only 1 package), and it increases his sales or at least puts more pressure on his other auctions- driving up the pirce & porfit for him.

Combined shipping seems to be the norm, a seller who does not combine should clearly state that (an expalination of why might gain the interest back of those turned off by no combined shipping too). Such as the case with Dean-

eBay, Paypal and all the other little blood-suckers are the real demons here....