All this recent talk of dealing in International eBay auctions has led me to write this little cautionary note. I recently won this auction:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/
MODOLO BREMSSATZ AX 90 ÄHNLICH CAMPAGNOLO Item # 1980492864
Thinking the $20 CDN bid was reasonable and expecting shipping might be another $10-12. Figuring I'd probably be outbid and that was fine too, I didn't 'need' these I just thought they looked kinda neat. Not really paying enough attention to the payment methods I suppose, because there it states: "Email Money Transfer, or cash on pickup."
Well I just got back from the bank having done a wire transfer of $35 EUR to the seller's bank. End cost to me (so far) is $71.25 CDN!! :-( Hopefully I won't get hit with anything else when they finally make it here. So far this is the most expensive 'deal' I've had.
So be careful out there folks, there are deals to be had I'm sure, but the transaction and postage/shipping costs can really change how much of a deal your win really is.
David "about to give up eBay bidding as a New Year's resolution" Bilenkey Ottawa, Ontario, Canada