Proprietary checkout systems.

[InvisibleTouch]

Just a minor rant from me: I hate them! Recently I've done some buying again on eBay (as opposed to just selling), and three times now I've run into some seller's stupid proprietary checkout system. When you have a slow computer like mine, it's pure aggravation to be chased around through half a dozen links before you can finally pay for your item - when PayPal's checkout system is quick and simple. One item, I haven't been able to pay for at all because the seller's system keeps giving me an "error." WTF??

In one case, I can see why the alternate system is in place - because in order to pay, you get re-routed to the seller's web site on which you have the choice of adding additional items to your cart (I didn't). So they're hoping to make more sales off eBay. But it's such an annoyance that all of these people are going on my "do not buy from again" list. With so many choices out there, sellers should be making it as simple as possible for their buyers, not more complicated.

And likewise eBay shouldn't be preventing us from accepting checks or money orders as payment, but that's a whole different rant.

[Vinca]

1. I agree entirely. The mega-sellers have virtually taken over ebay.

I found an outside light I liked and the seller had more than 10 available, so I asked them if they could combine shipping if I bought 3 or 4. "No," they said. The stuff comes out of a warehouse and apparently a trained, nonviolent chimp fills the order. I miss the old ebay.

[InvisibleTouch]

2. My drop-shipper does give quantity discounts on shipping...

...so I pass that along to my buyers. There are some things that I can't combine because they ship from different locations, but multiple units of the same item should almost always get a shipping discount. And of couse if it's stuff I have in-hand, I give a shipping discount too.

Wonder if your seller was just trying to finnagle some extra postage out of you - or if they really did have a lousy drop-shipper. Ebay doesn't charge final value fee on the postage, you see ... which is why they're trying to encourage us to offer "free shipping" now.