My understanding here in central California is that Extra Space facilities are charging a 10% buyer's premium effective a couple of months ago.

In central CA the Extra Space's are conducted by J. Michael's (headed by Mike Joyce) which has its main office in southern CA.

My feeling is that Extra Space is taking advantage of the TV shows' popularity and is using that 10% to help defray the cost of the 20% to 25% they are paying J. Michael's.

*******

As to boycotting such practices, I would say "good luck".  There will be regular bidders to whom the extra 10% will not be a deterrent. I might be one of those if the lkr really looks good...it only takes one good piece to offset that extra cost and if the lkr is full of goodies I would take the hit.

On the other hand the extra charge MIGHT dissuade some of the newer buyers who in fact DO pay the sales tax as well at the time they buy the lkr.

What is he packing or is that you?

That's the buyer; I believe like the natives of old that having one's spirit captured by a magic box is a bad omen (at least in the forum sense !)  

I didn't ask what weapon he had with him; figured he had it as a guarantee that the cash he brought with him WOULD get him the safe and not a knock on the noggin! You hear Craigslist stories like that.

Sounds  more like a tv show watcher and now what to be a buyer. Great

Having bought almost 200 lkrs over six years already qualifies Rat as a veteran buyer . 

Thats about all your going to get out of me.

That was enough....nice to know you know whereof you speak !

How much did you pay for this lkr?

Did your original "spidey senses" give you no hints? 

Were you bidding on the "possibility" in boxes or did you use your complex algorithm forumula to make the decision to buy it?

In keeping with the actual title of this thread I would have to say:

Gold bars

I never  have understood the frustration with eBay.

I have been selling there for 8 years and yes some of the changes they have made are hard to understand or "take", but I still beleive you can't beat the exposure/customer base. Where else can you get millions of potential buyers.

Here's how I do it:

1) I only sell to the USA. I have friends who ship out of country, but I don't feel it's necessary.

2) Shipping:
          I weigh an item I'm selling. I measure it too. Then I add an inch or more on each dimension and a pound or
          two on weight. This accounts for packaging weight of boxes (internal/external and padding).

          When listing I use either UPS or USPS depending on item.  I build in a $3 packing handling charge and I make
          that a well-known fact both in my main description and in the "shipping area" description. The buyer is getting
          no surprises.

           As I use the CALCULATED approach the weight, size and zip code let the buyer know what he is paying for these
           services up front.

The $3 packing/handling charge helps to defray some of the expenses I incur from eBay. Yes, I know they now count the shipping as part of final value charge.

I don't know for sure why, but it looks like I am getting 50 free listings a month and my only listing charges come to 10 cents or so when I use a template to put a border around my listing. I like the way this shapes up my listing (at least on my screen).

I have over 850 feedback (and of course many don't provide feedback to me...and then I don't to them). I suggest always waiting for the buyer to give feedback first. You should have heard the uproar when eBay stopped allowing sellers to give negative feedback...still doesn't make sense.

I am a "top-rated" seller. This helps I think from a "reputation" standpoint in aquiring buyers. I don't accept returns; it might prevent some sales, but I won't deal with this aspect, and in 8 years I think I HAVE done two returns because of a description mistake I made.

I make a point of saying (especially on electronic items)..."Item is sold as-is, as-described, as-pictured. There is no opportunity for refund, return or replacement. Sale is final."  If they can't read and understand that, they have no business buying online.

I also place about 10 to 15 or so items a month and sometimes only 3 or so will sell, but sometimes 10 will sell.

I try to place items that are $25 or so for starting prices.....any less than that and the profit goes down when you consider your time taking pics, packing etc.

******

When I make a good buy (say $25 expense) on a specialty tool (from an unknowing flea or garage seller) and I can get $100 or more on eBay, it only makes sense to do that as the potential buyer pool is so much larger there than at a flea market; if I take a hit on fees a bit, it still is better than hauling it out to the flea.

*****

If you who are reading this are NEW to eBay, give it more of a chance or do some experimenting. Calculated shipping seems to guarantee you won't lose on that aspect.

But they will.....you even chimed in.

Suggesting to other posters here about not engaging you...or any one else for that matter...in confrontational posts is not the same as addressing you.