eBay and PayPal fees are out of control, can't blame sellers for wanting a private sale. Last pin I sold on eBay cost me, wait for it......$434.14 in eBay and PayPal fees. If the buyer would have contacted me we could of both saved some money.

Precisely... great place to advertise, crap to sell on. If you are interested in a pin then ALWAYS contact the seller privately, very few insist on seeing the auction through to the end