In the interests of fairness to both parties..
The clips,decals are not being made in huge volumes in China for pennies. I don't know but I could well imagine the cost of production here in the UK runs into a few pounds per item.
I am an online trader in a completely non related area and have been selling on eBay for over ten years.
Let's say for arguments sake the sale price of £5.00 clips/decals etc cost approx £2.50 to produce..
In my world this would equate to:
SP & P&P £6.50
Less VAT (£1.08)
£5.42
Less CP (£2.50)
eBay/Paypal
Fees 10%. (£0.65)
£2.27
P&P* (£0.60)
NP. £1.67
* small Jiffy Bag 7p(bought in bulk)
* if sent as a large letter 60p(contract prices)
* if sent as a parcel £1.80 (contract prices)
You can see what seems like an expensive purchase doesn't necessarily mean the seller is making a Kings Ransom.
You will have to sell a truck load of clips etc etc to do that.
Especially as I haven't factored in time,petrol,sundry costs etc etc
The OP has some valid points too.
Maybe some savings in postage on multiple items could be incorporated into the eBay listing?
In this instance the Seller is I feel well meaning.
He has filled a gap out of necessity as a result of Audis own policies,this on his own initiative..the guy is a fellow Audi enthusiast. I don't for one moment think his motives were borne out of greed or avarice. Rather he's gone to the trouble and if he can make a couple of quid you can't really begrudge him.
I have never met either party but I would wager the OP and the seller have more in common than you would think ,even given the way this thread has gone. After all both have worked long long hours trying to restore one of these cars back to its former glory.
I am sure the seller would rather sell a few bits for a little less, but on a gentlemanly basis to fellow enthusiasts and lose a few costs of sale. Everyone benefits then.
On the flip side all the breakers and car scalpers that look at a car as nothing more than a resource to be tapped ( until there is no more) regardless of the Marque, they are providing a service and filling a gap,but the motive is different.
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