What has always been a mystery to me is why WP charges 9.95 upfront, and FVF on top of that.
Take into consideration the site from a buyer's point of view. What is known about consumer buying behavior online is that a buyer wants to pay immediately, be able to pay with a CC, have a simple registration process (or not be required to register on a site to purchase).
WP doesn't have immediate ability to pay, requires not only registration on the site, but phone verification as well.
Sellers have to actively market their own items, and have to seek out the buyers. All of the small auction venues will not be different in this aspect, but most of them do not charge upfront fees.
The buyers are finding your items either from froogle/google, or your own marketing efforts.
Let's compare WP to Blujay.
Blujay is 100% free
Blujay has a shopping cart, offers paypal and google checkout.
Buyers do not have to register to purchase
Buyers can pay immediately
Froogle/google feed provided
The community is supportive, active forums, and from what I can see there is not the heavy handed censorship of members
Ray has done very little customization of the rscript software. This software is limited in what it can do.
Even if you have been fortunate enough to find a buyer willing to go through multiple hoops to make a purchase, keep in mind this type of buyer will be in the minority.
The reality is that most of these small sites are not going to advertise. It is up to the seller, which is fine as long as you are not charged upfront fees and FVF. Ebay knows that they can charge fees because they do bring the buyers, they do advertise, and they are a household name.
If you have had sales on WP, that has everything to do with you, what you sell, and how you have marketed your items. WP cannot take any credit for this. If you have had success take heart because you can find alternatives to WP, and be even more successful.