If people are preparred to pay postage why restrict your audiance?

I once sold a heavy cast iron motor (18KG+) and the only 2 enquiries were from the USA & Vietnam, postage estimates for both were between $250 - 400 from memory. Anyway after advising of postal costs I thought "well they wont be buying" and you can imagine my surprise when the item price jumped from $20 to $960 in the last 5 seconds and the only 2 bidders were these 2 guys. The American won and even wanted the item double boxed and paid the extra postage to do so! from memory his postage costs were around the $460 range, so dont assume they wont pay if they really want the item! Also I have never had an item not arrive. I used to sell approx 10% OS but since our dollar has gone up it is generally less, maybe 5% now.