Wanted - Personal experiences using eBay's Global Shipping Program

[ARKOUDAKI]

Not sure where to post this but since it is eBay related here will do...

Okay, I recently got contacted by eBay with one of their circulars about their 'Global Shipping Programme', where you send the item to a UK shipping address and eBay does the rest. Here is the link:

http://portal.ebay.co.uk/gsp

So what I am looking for is the personal experiences of any of you out there that have used this service, good and bad. Also, some idea of the costs involved, as I don't want int'l buyers to be put off but I have also noticed an increase in dishonest buyers from certain countries, namely my native US as well as Canada (those that claim they never got it!).

Hope to hear about your personal experiences using eBay's 'Global Shipping Programme'.

Thanks in advance.

[Daeothar]

I really only have experience as a buyer, and then only once from a seller using the Ebay shipping service.

To be honest, I was not impressed, and I have read a ridiculous amount of complaints about it on the web, ranging from mild annoyances to downright bloodfeuds.

A much heard complaint (and in fact, mine too), is that the tracking number that Ebay provides simply does not work. I hear this issue originates with the  preferred carrier, which obviously does not have its fecal matter in one place.

My package (from the UK to the Netherlands) finally showed up after about 4 weeks transit, where I usually receive packages form there within the week. In the mean time, there was no way of tracking the progress and also no way to contact anyone regarding the delay.

When scanning the web for this issue, I understood that the contact details (if you can actually find them) are simply incorrect, so buyers are kept in the dark until the package is delivered (if at all).

Also, I found that generally, their P&P prices are higher than those offered by individual sellers using their shipper of choice.

Certainly not trying to put you off, but you asked for experience, and here is mine...

[Mason]

I opted out of it as the prices they charge to international bidders are so high that you will end up taking flak for it rather than them.

[thequestingvole]

It's a pain in the backside - I've refrained from bidding rather then make use of it.

[ARKOUDAKI]

Thanks for the insight people. My main thought was that I am sicking of some overseas buyers claiming that they hadn't received the item (a typical con, as very little goes MIA in some countries) and then eBay screwing me for the cost of the item as well as postage, as they never side with you and no longer accept proof of posting as meaning anything. It is just not economic sense to send items int'l tracked and insured, as it costs way too much. Hence, I was hoping to shift the burden over to eBay...but hadn't thought of what Mason said about you taking flak for it on the feedback.

Not to sound too old and jaded but eBay has gotten so bad for sellers that I hate using it. As a buyer you still seem to be king but it is hard to find a genuine deal out there these days, as a lot of what is on offer is stock from big firms who often charge a premium for it (cheaper to go to their normal website).

So what is a boy to do??? 

[robh]

It's a pain in the backside - I've refrained from bidding rather then make use of it.

This

It is too expensive........seriously $42 shipping and import duty on a $1.49 heroclix figure!!
I am another who will not bid on an item if it is registered with the Global Shipping service.

[Mr. Peabody]

It's just eBay trying to make another buck. What they sell to you - the vendor - as a convenience, they charge the buyer.

I absolutely disregard any auction or buy-it-now item that is listed under the Global Shipping Program.

[Old Coast]

I've used it tons as a seller here in the US, its allowed me to sell internationally without hassle. before it was such a pain and I had so many problems, I just stopped selling out of the country. I have had zero problems with easily over 2 dozens transactions with it.  Now having said that I have no idea what the costs are for the buyer..its probably way too expensive. but for the seller on ebay its about mandatory.

[FramFramson]

I will never, ever, ever buy anything listed using ebay's global shipping program. It doubles or triples the cost of the shipping, or sometimes even more. It's an ill-planned disaster, even from the point of being a money grab because it's so poisonous to sales.

[stone-cold-lead]

As a buyer I've used it once. No problems with the item coming from the US to the UK. It is damn expensive though and usually I won't bother bidding or buying an item that lists it as the shipping option.

[Cubs]

I use it all the time I must confess, because it's the default setting on my selling preferences. As a seller it's convenient, because you don't have to bother calculating international postage for every country individually - it does it all for you (the seller doesn't see the final postage cost, just the bidders). You do your usual UK postage cost and then eBay will automatically add the international cost on top (then take it out of the payment). The bidders see what all the costs are in advance and as a seller you just send the parcel to the UK shipping centre. Your carrier (Royal Mail or MyHermes or whoever) is responsible for the parcel in the UK and eBay are responsible thereafter.

I personally have never had a problem with it on any of my sales. Issues I have heard about second or third hand, however, do include -

1) cost - it's much more expensive than regular international postage (although it is theoretically tracked and guaranteed ... like I say, I've never had a problem so I've never tested this aspect),

2) you can't combine postage costs - the system does not recognise a buyer making multiple purchases and giving the option to combine the cost, it's a full separate postage cost for each auction (although the buyer sees the costs in advance, sometimes people assume it can be combined afterwards ... it can't!),

I understand I may be losing potential buyers (especially on low price items where the cost would be more than the auction itself) by using the service, but I'm happy to accept that because it is easy to use, it does have more safeguards for sellers than using ordinary untracked international postage and at the end of the day, it gives buyers a choice. If I don't list my auction as open to international bidders at all because of the risks inherent in sending something overseas, they don't have that.

[FramFramson]

As a seller, it's up to you how you want to do business, but FYI, you can charge shipping for tracked shipments without going through the global shipper program. I would however hesitate to call $30 shipping for a $2 item a "choice".

It's also important to understand that the global shipper program doesn't just increase the shipping, it also "precharges" you customs and brokerage fees, which may not in fact apply to the shipment in question. Yet these do not actually prevent the end user paying customs fees - I've heard many a tale of a buyer who paid through the global shipping program and still had to pay customs fees as if they hadn't.

The whole thing is an incredibly questionable business practice on ebay's part.

If you DO continue to use the GSP, you should be forewarned that the seller protection is valid, BUT a lot of sellers don't know that their money will still be docked and held in escrow during an investigation in the case of a dispute and in order to get it released you must contact Paypal and that contacting ebay to have your seller funds released is actually completely useless.

[Timbor]

Interesting feedback, guys. As I am in Canada and most sellers are not, I also refuse to purchase anything via the GSP. My main reason - probably 95% of the parcels I receive internationally never get hit for customs/taxes, and the GSP charges it upfront.  Instant no-go as it adds a huge cost to the auction.

I have in the past contacted sellers directly and asked them to ship outside of the GSP.  Most were happy to oblige.

I have never sold anything on ebay, only on forums such as this, but would not be averse to using the GSP as a seller, as Canada does not offer tracked international shipping (outside of USA) for anything approaching a reasonable rate.  Either that or I would limit my auctions to Canada/US...

[Wachaza]

As a buyer only use it into the UK if the item is something I really want.

Double or plus on the normal postage, no combined postage, terrible tracking, automatic customs fees and a handling charge. I usually contact sellers and see if they are willing to send by a normal service. If they won't it's normally a deal breaker.

As a a seller it's asking for poor feedback, particularly on delivery time and postage charges.

All it does is make money for ebay and their shipping partners. The service provided is terrible given the money charged.

[Cubs]

As a a seller it's asking for poor feedback, particularly on delivery time and postage charges.

Do you think it's a reasonable response to punish a seller for charges and delivery times they have no control over, bearing in mind this feedback should be given for how much the postage actually costs vs how much you were charged, and when the item was posted, not how long it took to get to you?

I wonder if this is a transatlantic thing and the duty fees are the real killer? Certainly I can say without a shadow of a doubt that my auctions get a lot more interest from European bidders than previously and over half the successful buyers are on the continent these days.