Hmmm... I got an e-mail from a CR lister saying my recently offered items for sale to the List were too cheap! Now, we are on a tear about eBay again, this time high shipping charges. Too cheap, too dear, it's always something when many of us are cooped up in the winter and can't ride. This deliciously warm and sunny weekend excepted... who can go to an indoor swap meet when it's nearly 60?!
In the end, it's not what the item costs with or without postage. It's what it's worth. To the individual. And yep, I am happy to pay eBay prices and "rip-off" shipping rather than devote a day, like yesterday, to ferreting out this stuff instead of riding my bike(s). Most sellers will tell you their shipping up front or estimate it so it shouldn't be some surprise. And sure it's a pisser when you get the envelope, as I did just the other day, and it says $1.08 and I was charged $5.00. But I got two pairs of Velox barplugs at half what Harris Cyclery was charging including the "rip-off" shipping.
Me, I was just delighted to be in shorts again this weekend on my Peugeot and Cinelli. On a day like yesterday, I honestly don't remember what I paid for either machine. Pushing a big gear on a PX-10 on a nice stretch of road with the little Peugeot pennant whipping in the slipstream, now that's priceless.
Peter Kohler Washington DC USA
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