I seek a simple easy way to determine what a selle rwants for shipping on an auction. Up until now i have to contact each seller.

Each listing has a tab entitled 'Shipping & Handling' - simple!

Ah, but the contents of this tab are generic and set in My Parameters - they do not refer to an individual item like (say) eBay does

Absolutely true, however a prospective buyer has to have something to go on hence its existence and to avoid having to answer queries about S&H constantly - though of course that happens where multiple purchases are involved.

Ah, but the contents of this tab are generic and set in My Parameters - they do not refer to an individual item like (say) eBay does

Very true. Another problem with a generic S & H is if you have two different type items with different shipping structures (example stamps & postcards). There must be many sellers with this situation. How do they handle it?

Very true. Another problem with a generic S & H is if you have two different type items with different shipping structures (example stamps & postcards). There must be many sellers with this situation. How do they handle it?

I expressed shipping as "typical single-item costs" for stamps, cards and covers, but of course there is a wide variety in the range of sizes and weights of covers, so it is just a general guide to how much it may cost

I don't have any problems with the shipping costs on Delcampe.

Surely, for the most part, it's quite simple.
A seller lists according to their home country/europe/rest of world.
They can then list in volumes if they so wish.

Of course I'm sure there must be the odd error ie a standard v continental size postcard but in my case I just list all postcards at a standard price. Sometimes I lose out a little but rather that than lose the trade or offend a customer.

Or am I missing something...?

I don't have any problems with the shipping costs on Delcampe.

Surely, for the most part, it's quite simple.
A seller lists according to their home country/europe/rest of world.
They can then list in volumes if they so wish.

Of course I'm sure there must be the odd error ie a standard v continental size postcard but in my case I just list all postcards at a standard price. Sometimes I lose out a little but rather that than lose the trade or offend a customer.

Or am I missing something...?