Originally Posted by T-Mar
If the seller inflates his shipping fee, provided it clearly stated, the buyers will adjust their bids accordingly. This puts more cash in the seller's pocket and less in eBay's.
I think the study's results show this is true, but even more, that the purchase price en toto will increase. So the buyer over-adjusts, and it's actually MORE more cash in the seller's pocket. I think it's good to note this, and to be on the look out for a high shipping charge, though, because it may mean that the item itself will become subject to a bidding war, and that could end up burning you.
Originally Posted by T-mar
I can't criticize for them for trying to beat eBay at their own game, provided I'm aware of what they are doing. Maybe if everybody did this, eBay would get the message.
I agree with you about eBay's charges; they're kind of ridiculous. One time, I actually mailed a personal check and waited for it to go through, because I won a mechanical typewriter for about 9 bucks with shipping. I didn't want the seller to lose any more money on PayPal. The economy is ruled by the Middle-Man.