Adding GSP - should I do it?

[southern*sweet*tea]

Looking for some opinions and advice here.

I used to ship internationally to some countries, and I did get buyers from time to time, especially from Australia. I stopped last year because of the Covid mail mess.  I miss my international buyers but really don't want to start back with the mails still not up to speed.

How has GSP been working for those that use it? NOT Ebay standard international shipping - if I'm gonna do that I might as well ship direct myself.   GSP - global shipping program.

I'm thinking about trying it but am just looking for some honest opinions on how it is working at the present time.  I sell mainly old books and vintage and antique paper items, nothing hot, trendy, popular or in high demand, so that's not an issue.

Thanks in advance 🙂

[magsmg101]

@southern*sweet*tea 

I too have been toying with the idea of restarting International sales via the GSP... but I sell pottery and would be interested in hearing from sellers that list “breakable stuff”. 

[chapabargain]

I get a few sales thru GSP.

Its working very well for me. 

@southern*sweet*tea 

[chapabargain]

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@mybigsale wrote:

Being protected from lost or damaged packages is a plus - but I haven't run into those issues. You may want to NOT include GSP for very heavy, costly or items you consider high risk for scam.  You would still be responsible for not as described claims. I am sure there are sellers that have had bad GSP experiences (as well as domestic experiences) running into buyers intent on abusing eBay Buyer Protections.

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Great advice.

People think its all or nothing with GSP. 

[marnotom!]

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@southern*sweet*tea wrote:

Looking for some opinions and advice here.

I used to ship internationally to some countries, and I did get buyers from time to time, especially from Australia. I stopped last year because of the Covid mail mess.  I miss my international buyers but really don't want to start back with the mails still not up to speed.

How has GSP been working for those that use it? NOT Ebay standard international shipping - if I'm gonna do that I might as well ship direct myself.   GSP - global shipping program.

I'm thinking about trying it but am just looking for some honest opinions on how it is working at the present time.  I sell mainly old books and vintage and antique paper items, nothing hot, trendy, popular or in high demand, so that's not an issue.

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Just thought I'd check in on this thread, @southern*sweet*tea.  I see you're now using the Global Shipping Program pretty extensively.  Are you aware that the Brier Rose Syrup label that you're currently selling and has a US shipping rate of $3.50 has a shipping rate of over $20 with the GSP?

[nostalgicfinds2021]

About 10-15 years ago I sold 10-15% of my inventory to international buyers and they spend more money. I quit selling for about 13 years. The last two years I've not sold one internationally. And have placed international shipping on my auctions but forget to a lot of the time. It's kind of a hamster with all the red tape **bleep** and taxes and forms and having to mark as gift when it's really a sale but the countries are **bleep** the buyers on taxes to import the stupidest stuff. 

[nostalgicfinds2021]

I bought some nice rarer ancient silver & copper coins in a lot I won on auction around Christmas. Broke the bank the whole $50 plus shipping I had to pay it and the day it was supposed to arrive 30 days after payment seller messages and says it arrived back to them do I want a refund or to resend coins. I was like refund please. But still think I was screwed over very wrongly by all of you. 

[nostalgicfinds2021]

You don't have to use gsp to ship internationally but do have to fill out customs forms etc... I'm sure they found some way to profit on top of what they already get from fees like the promote your listing additional fee. 

[dbfolks166mt]

     I sell internationally but have excluded some countries and I always use the GSP. I like the fact that the GSP actually sends the invoice to the buyer and I am responsible for getting it to the GSC in Kentucky. The GSC handles everything from there including all the paperwork and packing and handing it off to the international carriers. They also update the shipping and tracking information on the orders to include the international carriers. I have never had a problem with the GSP and consider it to be one of the positive things eBay has done for the sellers. It does however add a little time to the shipping process.