As pretty as that is, I would be very cautious about bidding on this auction. The shipping is only $5. I can tell you that the $30 (at the moment) bid will probably not even cover the shipping. Also, note that the seller has a 0 selling record.

Beautiful dishes though.

I wouldn't have a problem buying from a new seller. We all started off as newbies.

But I think she's made some serious errors in calculating her shipping costs. I've sent her an email asking if she's aware that her shipping will cost her $$ if the auction is completed as is.

If a new seller is going to lose $$, it's generally due to the shipping costs being set too low.

I wouldn't be too worried either. I use Paypal. I've gotten my money back on a transaction gone bad. Takes a while, but it can be done.
But I want to take it slow. I'm so excited, I can just see myself buying too much! I get that way sometimes. I often need to stop and take a big, deep breath.

I have bought from new sellers, too. But the price here for shipping startled me. I bought something in my early years of ebay shopping and it said something like "actual shipping costs" and I was SHOCKED at the price. Good thinking on contacting this newbie. You might have saved her from taking a great loss.

I heard back from the seller and she said it was not an error. She wants to give buyers a good deal.

I kinda did a quick calculation from a zip code in NC to Central FL and an oversized package weighing 5 pounds sent Parcel Post would cost around $8.00.

So these plates could be an incredible deal for somebody. I have enough or I'd be bidding on the auction.

OK. It will be fun to watch. Keep in mind, it cost me just a dollar or so over $100 to have two small chargers shipped to California.
Now, let's see what 8 dinner plates, 8 salad plates and 8 mugs go for! I've got a "watch this item" going.

I know that I paid over $80 for ahipping on that ebay item that I thought was a good buy.

I only guestimated the weight at 5 pounds;it could likely be more. But she's okay with only charging $5 for shipping from Georgia to anywhere in the States. I tried.

Someone got a pretty good deal. Twenty-four pieces for $51.66.

The mugs alone were worth that much. I was sooooo tempted to bid, but I resisted.

Mona,
My chargers arrived today! They're wonderful. Can't wait to use them. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction.

There's another set up for auction now and it's generating some action. It will sell for more than this first set I mentioned and it's because of the seller's experience in the picture she's posted and the description of the items.

I feel sorry for the newbie seller...she sold for less than it was worth and she lost money on the shipping.

Here is a link that might be useful: plates