Calculating the Final Price

In most cases, the price you pay will include your high bid and a reasonable amount of shipping and handling fees. Don't be surprised if the shipping/handling actually runs a little more than what you might know the actual shipping to be; remember, the seller has to cover the costs of packaging supplies and the labor involved to pack and ship the item. If shipping/handling runs a few bucks more than actual shipping, don't sweat it.

You should also consider whether you need shipping insurance on this item. In most cases buyers don't opt for insurance, but if you're buying a high-priced, rare, or very fragile item, you might want to protect yourself against damage in shipment. (That's if the seller offers insurance, of course; not all sellers do.)

Many sellers offer several shipping options (insurance versus no insurance, UPS versus FedEx versus USPS Priority Mail, and so on), at different costs to you. Others ship only one way. If given the choice, pick the best compromise between cost and speed. If not given the choice, you have to go with what the seller offers.

"Mike Sez"

Insurance might not make sense for lower-priced items. For example, the U.S. Postal Service charges $1.35 for the first $50 worth of insurance, which isn't necessarily a bargain for lower-priced items. However, if your item is higher-pricedor might be easily damagedit might be worth it to insure the package.

If you have special shipping concerns (for example, FedEx doesn't deliver to your address), you should raise them before you bid on an item. If you can't work out something else, don't bid in this auction.