Declaring shipping value? (how annoying!!)

[Mikey2008]

Geeks,
getting this off my chest as I feel the seller has being a complete careless. he's no longer present on this forum but resides on the others!!

I buy 2 crystals in a trade +cash transaction. Seller is based in the USA.
Package arrives 13 days later with customs/vat invoice + mail handling fee. Total £12.50 ($20). I don't mind the wait, but the invoice was a shock.
So I paid $80 + $20 in fees. WTF?!!
Most people dealing with reps would know not to declare a $40 valuation on watch parts. We're not buying gen parts. The risk is on me anyway to lose the items in post.

Anything written for more than $15 in valuation should be agreed prior to shipping!!!