In any case.

Packaging Costs
Combined Shipping
International Bidders
Insurance and Tracking
Pick ups

Packaging Costs: 

I put your stuff in sturdy boxes, and sturdy boxes cost money.  Whenever possible, I try to get those boxes for as cheap as possible to save you money.  Walmart, for instance, sells boxes for about half as much as the Post office.  Still, a small box costs a dollar, and the larger boxes can get up to three or four dollars.  Items that are multiple piece, like say a forest, require a larger box, than say a single item, like a normal sized hill.  That's just simple geometry.

In addition, I normally use both bubble wrap, newspaper, and packing peanuts as necessary.  Paper is free.  I get a paper; when I'm done with it, I just cut it up and use it for packaging material.  But packaging peanuts and bubble wrap can get expensive.  A forest can honestly take up a three dollar roll of bubble wrap.  I don't want to charge you too much for handling, but I also don't want to lose money getting stuff to you.  So, I try to set prices that are fair.  I will take your item down to the post office to double check shipping if you'd like, but keep in mind, that generally adds a day or two to the time it takes for me to get your stuff to you.

I am currently researching cheaper sources for packaging materials, and if I find them, the charge will go down, but until that point, please double check shipping charges before bidding so you know how much it is going to cost.

Combined Shipping

My version of combined shipping is to put everything in one box (thus lowering the handling cost considerably).  Once I have everything in one box, I take it down to the post office and they give me the new price.  In some cases, this might mean that shipping will only cost a dollar more, or even less.  For this reason, I encourage bidders to look through my auctions.  Buying things separately can result in having to pay high shipping cost again and again.

To wit, I will generally hold items from shipping if I notice that you're bidding on some of my other things.  Of course, if you'd like, I can ship immediately, but generally, I find that people want me to hold stuff until they're done buying.

That having been said, I cannot hold your stuff forever.  I eventually need the money.   This isn't a statement about you or anything, it's just that I'm doing business kind of blind here.  If I haven't heard from you after a week of your winning an auction, I reserve the right to put your stuff back up.

Also, yes, I do open claim disputes with Ebay so, please, don't bid unless you're serious about buying.  If arrangements for payment haven't been made within two weeks of an auctions close, I will involve either Ebay, Paypal, or both.

International Bidders

I welcome bids from outside the U.S., but be aware there are certain limitations that the post office simply cannot get around.  Some countries do not have express mail, some do not have priority, and some packages cannot be sent "airmail letter post."  Also, economy letter post is the "slow boat" and can take months to get to where it's going. 

Please wait for me to give you a total on international shipping.  Ebay is notoriously bad at calculating the price and generally gives me a dollar amount between two options. 

Lastly, I encourage all bidders to buy insurance, but none more than international bidders.  If you're purchase breaks, there really isn't that much I can do about it.  I package it as best I can, I tell the man behind the counter that it's fragile, but after that, it's out of my hands.  Purchasing options for tracking and insurance gives you some agency should your item break or not arrive at all.  Obviously, if such things happen, communication with me is helpful, but there really is only so much that I can do.

Insurance and Tracking

If you are at all worried about your item breaking and disappearing, I recommend that you buy insurance or tracking options.  You'll notice in my feedback, that people get what I've sent them so you can be assured that I'm dealing honestly with my customers, but things happen at post offices that I have no control over.

If an item breaks in transit and you want me to fix it or replace it, I will ask that you pay to ship the original back to me.  Again, it's best to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

Pick ups

Occasionally, someone will ask me if they can pick up their items.  The answer is yes.  And no, I won't charge you for shipping and handling, obviously.  I live in Northampton, MA on the border of Easthampton.  So, if you live nearby or will be in the area, I'd be happy to give you your stuff in person