In regard to bike packing charges we were recently discussing, I really don't have a problem with such charges, if they are clearly stated up front. I'll simply adjust my bid to account for them. But I just discovered a more devious ploy that I do have a problem with. An eBay auction just ended for a Mavic starfish crank that went for $40 - seemingly a bargain despite a lot of toestrap rub. I was intending to bid, but happened to notice this auction had the recently introduced Calculated Shipping feature. I entered my zip code, and it calculated a whopping $24.75 shipping from Virginia to Texas for a crankset. However, a message said that this includes any packing and handling charges added by the seller. I hope the seller is not a list member, but even if he is, I have to say that to use Calculated Shipping in this manner is outright dishonest. eBay should ban hiding excessive handling fees in Calculated Shipping. If the seller is going to gouge $17 to $19 for packing, he should state that clearly in the main body of the auction.
I hope the buyer checked the shipping before bidding and did not get a nasty surprise. If not, he would be completely within his rights to refuse to complete the transaction and to file a complaint of seller fruad with eBay.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX