"It is because of sellers like this that people are deserting ebay in droves"

Yep that's why:

"eBay Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2013 Results
Volume Accelerated to 21% for Full Year
Revenue Growth 14% for Full Year

Marketplaces gross merchandise volume (GMV) excluding vehicles grew 13% in both the fourth quarter and full year totaling $76.5 billion in 2013"

They keep losing sales like that they'll being knocking on your door for a loan any day now. 

The buyer was not ripped off, if he had inquired he could have made an informed decision and not bought if he thought the postage was too high.  The fact that there was little time left is immaterial.  Instead he took a punt and lost, and is now taking out his frustration on the seller.  A ripoff would be if the seller said they would discount or combine postage and then don't.