Actually, if I'm understanding correctly, I meant the same thing as you've expressed here.
For me, when I'm talking profit, I don't include the original cost of the item. Most everything I'm listing is something that we bought or had given to us (or belonged to our parents) and that we don't need anymore. So, I don't see the original cost as coming into it. Like you, I don't want to pay out of pocket and I like to make a little spending money for my trouble.
Sale price + shipping
less the fees and the shipping costs
= what I consider to be my 'profit' on the sale.
I keep a spreadsheet of the figures so I know where I'm at. If I buy some type of stationery item that I need for shipping then the outlay comes off my 'profit'.