I know what you're saying... the thing is,
I know a lot of foreign collectors who are polite,
nice people to deal with... my rant here is
the people who seem to think that shipping is
something that they have an OPTION to pay for
(or that they can make the seller pay for since
it's the seller's fault they live in another
country or something).  

I remember someone asking once about sellers
on Yahoo Japan who stated they wouldn't ship
internationally, and whether it did any good
to ask... yes, it is the seller's right to say
no, but I don't think there's usually a problem
if the foreign customer can (and WILL) pay for
the item and will pay for the shipping charges...

I sometimes think that some people (and no, I'm
not talking about only foreign customers, there
are plenty of American customers I've dealt with
who have given me some rude and strange 
expectations of how they should have everything
"free") just think because you're not a store
that they can take advantage of you.  There was 
a thread a few days back about customer service...
I agree that should be the seller's top priority
in making sure to please the customer with fast,
friendly service, etc etc.  But doesn't the 
customer also have an obligation to pay for the
item and whatever else is described as part of 
the sale (ie. shipping)?

I guess my main question in this rant/thread
is to ask WHERE you can draw the line between
being a polite, friendly seller (whether it's a
large business/store or just an eBay seller)
and knowing you're being taken advantage of?
I don't think the term "customer service" implies
that you should let the customer pay only part
of his/her obligation in order to make him/her
happy...

(LOL, only part of this was a response to your
reply, court... I promise I didn't skewer your
intent THAT much ^.~)

Peace!
Kim
aka Lady Z