Bidz.com Transaction fees and handling fees = sneaky Internet

I have purchased several things from Bidz, and have actually been pleased with the quality and speedy shipping time. However, on my last order I happened to notice two things that really bother me.

1) The 3% transaction fee-yes, it is stated in the help desk somewhere, but bottom line is it should be stated on EVERY auction, that you need to add 3% to the winning bid. This is very sneaky, and usually is against VISA/MASTERCARD policy. I believe this is an expense that the company should absorb as a cost of doing business.

When they set up an internet based company they knew that they would have to take credit card payments, this should not be passed on to me, and it should be much more clearly stated, instead of hidden in the terms and conditions. I understand the point of view that Bidz has expressed on this website, that the customer needs to take responsibility for knowing what they are getting in to, but the business should want to be above board and clearly state that there is a fee, instead of appearing to be sneaky.

2) The "handling" fee that is assessed to additional products in the same order-this really irritates me, they already over-charge on the first shipping cost (10.95), to send a single piece of jewlery that weighs maybe a couple of ounces, but then to tack on an additional 3.00 for simply throwing another piece in the box? Ridiculous, especially since I am paying a 3% transaction fee.

Here is the bottom line: I won an auction for a necklace that was made of some agates for about $11, but after the 3% transaction fee and the 10.95 shipping fee, I wound up paying over $22 for it. Seems a little ridiculous to me, if this would have been stated on the auction, like it is on Ebay, I may not have bid. So the question that is left in mind is "if all of the shipping is a standardized amount, and the transaction fee is always 3%, why can't that be listed in every auction?"....I guess the answer is that people may decide that those fees are excessive BEFORE they bid...but I wouldn't....I would have bid anyway, but I won't anymore, i don't like dealing with companies that aren't honest and that don't give me the choice to make that decision.

If the products, and prices they have to offer are that fantastic, they should have more confidence in the fact that these fees won't scare away customers, but make them more secure, feeling that they are dealing with an honest company.

Ryan
PORTLAND, Oregon
U.S.A.