What's the point?

[Monty]

I came across a Polish seller on eBay who has several similar listings.  

https://tinyurl.com/w6p29azu

The price of the paint is OK, but look at the shipping cost.

Bet those sell like hotcakes

Edited September 12 by Monty

[Mark]

I believe he's "making a statement".  I bought some Tamiya enamel paints from him awhile back; prices and shipping were quite reasonable then.  I spotted the same massive shipping increase when I went back thinking I'd get some more.  Needless to say, I'm holding off for now.  The Tamiya enamels are quite good, hopefully they will be offered here at some point.

[Monty]

4 minutes ago, Mark said:

I believe he's "making a statement".  I bought some Tamiya enamel paints from him awhile back; prices and shipping were quite reasonable then.  I spotted the same massive shipping increase when I went back thinking I'd get some more.  Needless to say, I'm holding off for now.  The Tamiya enamels are quite good, hopefully they will be offered here at some point.

OK, elaborate on that.  What "statement" is he making when his shipping price virtually guarantees that no one will buy these paints?  I'm obviously missing something here.

[Big Messer]

Tariffs?

[Mark]

Just now, Big Messer said:

Tariffs?

Bingo.  They might have a bunch of paperwork to fill out right now, probably don't want to get involved with that, so the listing was changed.  If/when something changes, the listing can be revised again.  They probably have the listing repeating every thirty days or so, and don't want to pull it while the tariff thing shakes out.

[imarriedawitch]

Looks like the shipping to U.S. is elevated, not so to the other countries they ship to. Love it. 

[Brian Austin]

Different situation but i remember there was a time many years ago when some eBay listings had cheap prices but exorbitant shipping.  These were considered scammy.

[stitchdup]

9 hours ago, imarriedawitch said:

Looks like the shipping to U.S. is elevated, not so to the other countries they ship to. Love it. 

thats where the tariffs are added. its not the shipping going up, its the shippers collecting the tariffs

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, stitchdup said:

thats where the tariffs are added. its not the shipping going up, its the shippers collecting the tariffs

Apparently at least $75 tariff on $3.50 worth of paint from this particular seller in Poland?

Might want to check the math on that.

And speaking of a topic that is already getting "political"...

EDIT: And I'm sure any attempt on my part to explain the rationale for the tariffs would be branded as "political", so I won't bother.

 

Edited September 13 by Ace-Garageguy

[NOBLNG]

3 hours ago, stitchdup said:

thats where the tariffs are added. its not the shipping going up, its the shippers collecting the tariffs

…..from the purchaser on behalf of the government. (Just adding clarity)