You found one of the potential pitfalls of buying through eBay. I've bought a number of items, and I have avoided buying from some vendors when they charged outrageous shipping fees. In example, I've bought replacement batteries and cases, etc. for our family's cell phones and have seen shipping charges anywhere from 'Free' to $15.00 for items that weigh only a matter of ounces. You've got to weigh the shipping charges against the 'bid' amount and look at total cost to put it on your doorstep. (Where's the bargain in paying $5.00 for the $10.00 item if you have to pay $15.00 to ship it?)

Sometimes it works in your favor. I just bought a set of 17x7 OEM 'take-off' alloy wheels for my wife's Land Rover Freelander on eBay for use as spares so she can have 'winter' and 'summer' rubber. I managed to win the auction for a whole $102.50 and the seller is only charging me about $40. to ship all four rims(!?).

As they say, let the buyer beware.

-Mark