I've been watching a 280Z padded armrest on eBay that's only got 2 hrs. to go and have been tempted to buy and adapt to my 240Z. Bid is at only $1 with no bidders. I guess here's why. When I enter my zip in the shipping calculator I get a shipping cost of over $23 by UPS ground. That must include the $3 handling charge mentioned with the auction description.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2492578092&fromMakeTrack=true

His seller name is djd16 and he seems to also go by ZNZX.com The only thing padded here is the price with a false shipping weight IMHO. To prove my point he has another one of these with a start bid of $10.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34206&item=2493254065&rd=1

Exact same picture and discription, but when you use the shipping calculator now the cost is only $12.70. What happened did the arm rest go on a diet or was the other one stuffed with lead. I think this is a dishonest practise and I realize Buyer Beware applies, but the tempation to submit a bid and figure how much can shipping be (when he says seller pays actual shipping plus the $3 handling) if I get it for $1. I'm glad s/he includes the shipping calculator or I'd be crying in my beer in a couple hours. He's got relatively positive feedback, but I say I wouldn't do business with him.

I have looked through his auctions before and noticed his high and inconsistent shipping charges. I'd never buy from him.

when i tried it gave me 10 and 15 dollars shipping email him and see if he made a mistake, but like all ebay stuff its turning very much into buyer beware

As I recall, his excuse was "I don't make up the charges, UPS does" and with that, I just decided not to do business with him.

Sadly, many sellers do just that, hide a fail-safe profit markup to the HANDLING portion of the S&H. They figure that they're starting the item at a low $, so if it does go cheap, they will still make a few $ when it ships. However, on other sales, they'll be more realistic on their initial selling $ and not gouge you as much on the S&H.

Don't know if e-Bay has any rules against that, but you might check and if so just forward the message you wrote above to the appropriate people.

In the meantime as you mentioned, Caveat Emptor.

Enrique

When setting up the Shipping Calculator, you can program in to it any amount of "handling fee" that you wish. It is up to the bidder to have enough sense to actually use the tool that is provided to know his/her costs.

"Caveat Emptor :The axiom or principle in commerce that the buyer alone is responsible for assessing the quality of a purchase before buying."

Go to www.ups.com enter his zip code and yours and it will/should tell you the shipping price. But you have to know how much the package waighs

That really doesn't help if the seller sticks his own hidden handling charge in the shipping. And when have you ever seen an eBay seller list the weight.

1. Best bet is to use the shipping calculator provided, then decide if you want to bid.

2. If one isn't provided, email the seller for a quote before bidding.

3. If he/she doesn't reply, don't bid.

4. If you bid anyway, don't whine. You are your own worst enemy.

If one isn't provided, email the seller for a quote before bidding.

If he/she doesn't reply, don't bid

Amen to that. My one unbreakable rule with ebay.

I always try to include a shipping calculator. When the potential buyer enters their zip code the calculator will tell what weight I have entered. Of course I never charge handling (not yet anyway). I might charge handling if it was something very large. I learned a long time ago not to bid if I don't know the shipping charges, but when something seems crooked to me I just have to tell someone.

I always try to include a shipping calculator. When the potential buyer enters their zip code the calculator will tell what weight I have entered. Of course I never charge handling (not yet anyway). I might charge handling if it was something very large. I learned a long time ago not to bid if I don't know the shipping charges, but when something seems crooked to me I just have to tell someone.

It's good to warn others of sellers who charge outrageous shipping.

I also try to use a shipping calculator and sometimes add in 50 cents to cover a USPS Delivery Confirmation Number on Priority Mail shipping.