Hi Paul:
The problem, as far as I can tell, is that many sellers:
1) - don't realise there are different shipping methods. The USPS site makes it worse. It offers Priority as the most obvious. You need to look for FirstCclass and other lower cost options. When I see a seller quoting Priority, I will check the USPS site, then contact the seller and ask if they will mail it First Class parcel, and indicate the approximate cost I saw on the USPS site. If they say no, then they don't want the sale, and I look elsewhere.
2) - don't weigh their items and look for the least cost shipping charge to Canada. Some items can go in a simple envelope, but the seller is quoting a flat-rate box or something.
3) - don't realise there is quite a difference in cost between shipping to Canada versus shipping International (overseas). Many will find the highest cost International destination and use that as a flat rate cost for anything outside of the US.
4) - simply don't care too much about selling into Canada. Many don't do it at all. Other do, but don't see it as a big deal, so don't make much effort on the costs.
In addition:
5) - eBay's new calculator for outside US shipping offers the ability to add extra charges to cover duty and tracking, etc. Possibly useful for a large and/or expensive item. A bit over the top for many other things.
6) - sometimes the charge that shows when the item appears in a search, or even in your Watch list, may not be accurate. I don't know why. But always check the actual listing. It may have a more accurate price. Some very sharp sellers will show a choice of shipping methods (and costs) in their Shipping section.
I wish ebay would coach the sellers a little better regarding the costs to ship to Canada. Especially since the recent hike in costs from both USPS and Canada Post. Seller's with outrageous ship prices really are cutting off a good piece of their market. I once did and informal survey of the prices a certain item fetched over a few months. Anytime one went for a very low price, I saw it was from a seller who either didn't ship to Canada or who had an absurd shipping price.
So, bottom line - yes, some prices are nuts - mainly because the sellers likely don't know it, and don't know it could be done for less. If you want something, check the pricing and ask if they will send it for less. Hope this helps!
