Daft ebay question...

[Bouj]

Have bid on and am winning a summer grobag, after being outbid on about 7. Was so frustrated by losing the others, that I bid without really reading the info . Got an email from seller saying 'it clearly states for overseas bidders to contact us before bidding etc, etc, postage and handling will be 12 quid.' My question is, as this seems a ridiculous amount, can I get out of it? Or because I didn't read it, do I not have a leg to stand on? Can people really charge whatever 'postage' they like?? Incidentally, got a parcel from the UK this morning with some baby clothes, probably the same weight as a grobag, and postage was 3.50....

How long left on the auction? You can ask the seller to cancel your bid or you can refuse to pay for it but risk a strike and a negative feedback. Neither are the end of the world but best avoided if possible.

try and cancel. but really they CAN charge (within reasonable limits) what they like for postage. ie. they charge for the cost, but also packaging, schlepp of going to the post office etc. you've really got to read all this stuff i'm afraid!

But it is worth emailing and asking how heavy it is and how they come up with 12 quid- which sounds a lot. In the same circumstances I once managed to shame a seller into reducing the p and p. Can't hurt to try. Especially if it's really extortionate and therefore blatant fee avoidance.