International Priority Shipping via the Global Shipping Program

[ronwer224]

I buy my electronic components usually on eBay, while I do not need any advanced stuff like what Mouser/Digikey offers.

Most of the components are bought from China, and most of the time this works out just fine. 

The times I need a somewhat more exotic component, I would prefer to buy from a US seller. 

But as soon as I read "International Priority Shipping via the Global Shipping Program", it is a big turn off.

Prices for shipping get prohibitively high, and I take my chances elsewhere.

A few times I asked the seller to drop the shipping program, but they don't seem to be interested to do so. 

I cannot be the only buyer experiencing this. Don't the US sellers care about missing a lot of sales to China/Taiwan/Malaysia/Thailand...? 

Another example, I wanted to buy a $10,- item from a US seller. Shipping to Norway: $14, 50!

I checked with the norwegian post. Shipping from Norway to the US: $5,-

I asked the seller about this price difference, but didn't hear from him anymore. 

Don't US sellers care anymore whether or not they sell!? 

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@ronwer224 wrote:

Another example, I wanted to buy a $10,- item from a US seller. Shipping to Norway: $14, 50!

I checked with the norwegian post. Shipping from Norway to the US: $5,-

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I can't speak for the GSP as I don't use it, but that is what a small package would cost to ship with tracking from the US to Norway.  What it costs to ship from Norway to the US is irrelevant.  Here's what a four ounce package would cost to ship to Norway:

https://postcalc.usps.com/Calculator/MailServices?country=10338&ccode=NO&omil=False&dmil=False&mdt=1...

Sellers who use the GSP normally wouldn't ship overseas at all. GSP takes responsibility for packages if they are lost or damaged in shipment, and takes care of customs fees at the same time.  Believe it or not, it's very common for overseas buyers to claim they didn't get a package, or to let the package sit in customs until the seller is forced to refund, then they go pick up their now free package. GSP gets rid of this issue for sellers.

[reallynicestamps]

We Canadians despise the GSP as much as you do.

But you should realize it is not designed for buyers.

GSP is a Seller Protection Program.

It protects sellers in the US and UK by charging an import fee up front which covers Norwegian* duty, sales taxes and a small service fee of ~$5.00.

It protects sellers by ending their responsibility for delivery at the GSP plant door in Kentucky. Shipping then becomes the responsiblity of the GSP.

It protects sellers by taking responsibility for damage in shipping.

The only responsibilities that rest with the GSP seller are getting the shipment promptly and securely to the plant door and dealing with Not As Described claims where the problem occurred before shipping. **

Don't the US sellers care about missing a lot of sales

No.

If a buyer does not understand that he will be paying duty and sales taxes on delivery and that he will also be paying a service fee to the shipper, then dealing with him is too high maintenance.

Keep in mind that the USA is the largest single economy in the world***. Many US sellers are perfectly happy selling only to the USA. Some will not even ship to Hawai'i, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or military bases. 

You been given the cost of shipping by USPS First Class International Package, which includes Confirmation of Delivery to many destinations and is the least expensive service.  Here is the entire rate card, if you want to sell how it goes.

It is possible to switch to sensible metric measures on the second page.

https://postcalc.usps.com/Calculator/ShapeAndSize?country=10440&ccode=AE&omil=False&dmil=False&mdt=1...

*and Canadian etc

** eg- you ordered a red sweater and the seller sent a blue one.

*** The EU is the largest group economy in the world. Canada and Norway which do not belong to the EU are blips.