I haven't sold on eBay for ages so am out of touch. I was under the impression that there's no insertion fee, up to a certain number of listings?
I've just completed one listing, and am being charged $1 insertion fee. I have a number of listings to do, and since I'll also be charged $1 each time a listing is renewed, this could become hefty. 

I really didn't expect an insertion fee. Can anyone advise please?