Yeah I've run into this a lot as well. I have been on eBay since 1999
and I have 113 feedback all positive, I usually email the seller
before hand stating this and 99% of the time they say OK go ahead and
bid (get a shipping quote upfront so they don't rip you off for being
in Canada... shipping is only marginally more).

The German eBayers are even more xenophobic, and are very reluctant to
ship outside Germany. In their defense communication (usually through
translation programs) and payment are awkward and shipping is insanely
high, you REALLY have to want a German item to be willing to pay
shipping on it. For instance the new rear passenger side sliding
window I just picked up:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7987583126&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Unless a seller explicitly states "NO INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS, NO
EXCEPTIONS" I used to just bid on stuff and apologize later. But then
you face the extortion like shipping charges from vengeful sellers.

Chris

On 8/5/05, Laurence Smith <laurence@alanasmith.com> wrote:
> So I am on eBay again checking out what available to feed my Vanagon
> addiction.  Lots of stuff, but all the US seller only want to sell to
> the US.  Could someone tell me why?  The obvious answer is that it
> may be a PITA to send an international shipment, but I'm willing to
> pay the extra cost, and the seller will get my higher bid to offset
> the extra effort.
> 
> Come on US sellers.  How about being nice to us international folks
> that want (no need) your stuff.
> 
> - Laurence
> www.subaruvanagon.com
>