You are right about the Visa/MC charges. I bought a watch from an established brick and morter, authorized dealer at the end of last year. I negotiated a pretty aggressive price but they would only give me that deal for cash or certified check. I ended up paying the 2 percent fee that that merchant paid just for convenience. They usually eat the fee, but at retail markup of 80% or so they can afford to. At the prices a lot of ebayers sell at as well as if you can negotiate a good price with retail stores the fees matter and I think it is fair to pay for the convenience as a customer.