sold a thing
payed the postage from the total amount from the buyer
payed the protection racket fee from the total amount from the buyer which ebay add to your carefully thought out and reasonable pitch, elevating the cost of the item. You can revalue your item to absorb the ebay fee i guess, but "taking a hit" and "paying a fee" are pretty close imho.
I re-started with the bay after a long stoppage, its reach is great, but its not the same place, FN Market Place is ok apart from no shows, but at least the scammers are direct and in your face. Gumtree, Friday Ad, post card in the shop window... everyone wants a slice of your sale.
I think a general lack of trust in ebay is the issue here. Like the insurance companies hiking the cost of fraud and shit drivers onto every one else, I am sure FleaBay are taking a fiscal hit with all the shenanigans on their platform and so, "Buyer Protection" is born. charge upfront on all transactions for any that go south.. its a spread bet, and remember the house ALWAYS wins.
Free to list. Not truly free to sell, some one has to pay.