Just below the price and timing information, the next thing to notice is the item's location and below it, shipping amount details, which amount to one of three things:
- The shipping amount. This is the amount that you must pay in addition to any winning bid in order to have the item shipped to you.
- "Click here to calculate shipping." When you see this phrase, it means that the seller bases the shipping amount on the weight of the item and the item's destination. Click on the link to enter your ZIP code or similar location details and get a shipping amount.
- "See description." You may also see several other things in the shipping amount area, usually accompanied by the phrase "see description." This means that you should consult the description of the item supplied by the seller (see following page) for details on shipping.
Understanding Location and Shipping
Many beginning eBay users fail to account for shipping in their bid totals. Beware that this is not a negotiable amount—if you win an auction, you must pay the listed shipping amount in addition to your winning bid. Notes to eBay or the seller saying that you forgot to account for shipping do not change this fact—the shipping amount is considered a part of your purchase bid.If you're in a hurry, the "Item location" line can be a rough guide to estimate how quickly an item will arrive. If you're in California and you want to receive your item as quickly as possible, don't bid on items showing New York as their location.
More Location and Shipping Tips
Some sellers use the shipping amount as a place to earn extra money, and thus charge very high shipping prices. You'll be expected to pay these even if you think they're unfair, so if you think a seller's shipping amount is high, simply don't bid.The item location, while a good guide, is not always reliable. In particular, even if you see an item located in your hometown, you shouldn't expect to be able to visit the seller in person to pick it up. Many sellers don't want visitors from buyers, even if you happen to be in the same town.
Next, read about the item description, or learn more about all of the elements of eBay item listings!
