eBay

flowemitch · ‎05-19-2019

Hi, a buyer recently offered a good price for me, I am in the US and they are in Spain. The listing offered the use of the global shipping program. I was wondering what the pros and cons of the GSP were when it comes to an item worth $500-600. I understand that I can track it only in the US and that the people who repackage it do a poor job at it, but other than that what are the cons? It is a jacket that I am shipping. It will be left in the original plastic as well as the box as well. Please let me know what I should do.

gracieallen01 · ‎05-19-2019

Whether using GSP or not, one of the first things one should do is check USPS.com Postal Explorer for restricted and prohibited items, as well as size restrictions, etc. - to see if there is going to be a reason GSP won't ship. If the item is used, it says:

Restrictions

Used clothing must be accompanied by a certificate of disinfection.

It seems that sometimes GSP picks and chooses what items it can/will ship.

Not saying 'NO' doesn't mean 'YES'.

The foolishness of one's actions or words is determined by the number of witnesses.

Perhaps if Brains were described as an APP, many people would use them more often.

Respect, like money, is only of 'worth' when it is earned - with all due respect, it can not be ordained, legislated or coerced. Anonymous

jeannicho22 · ‎05-19-2019

@flowemitch wrote:
Hi, a buyer recently offered a good price for me, I am in the US and they are in Spain. The listing offered the use of the global shipping program. I was wondering what the pros and cons of the GSP were when it comes to an item worth $500-600. I understand that I can track it only in the US and that the people who repackage it do a poor job at it, but other than that what are the cons? It is a jacket that I am shipping. It will be left in the original plastic as well as the box as well. Please let me know what I should do.

One of the "cons" of international shipping be it through GSP or on your own is that if the buyer decides the item is INAD, YOU have to pay return shipping and will have to refund in full which includes the initial shipping they paid. Also a returned item purchased through GSP is a mess since the buyer is also paying Pitney Bowes a shipping cost as well... They will probably expect you to flip the bill for that as well.

I gotta be honest and say that GSP is just a mess.

femmefan1946 · ‎05-19-2019

This is the sort of transaction the GSP was designed for.

It is a Seller Protection program.

The seller is only responsible for delivery to the GSP's plant in KY. After that delivery is the program's responsibility.
All import fees are paid by the buyer before you ship. He cannot claim non-delivery then pickup the goods at his PO paying only import fees and getting his original payment refunded.
Damage in transit is the responsibility of the GSP and the seller has to deal with GSP, not the seller.
If the claim is SNAD, the seller may have to pay for tracked return shipping, but that's less important on a $600 item than on a $60 item. Not unimportant, just less important. Most times, the GSP handles these claims themselves.
On an SNAD, the seller is not responsible for any import fees paid by the buyer, because those were paid to the GSP and - more important- the GSP is the one who paid the buyer's government. The buyer cannot reclaim those import fees.
Most people are honest.

I'm in Canada and we deal with buyer problems with the GSP fairly often on our Seller Boards.

Effectively, a transaction that is done with GSP as the freight forwarder is probably safer than one done through USPS , where the seller takes full responsiblity for prompt, secure shipping and delivery of the purchase.

patd3283 · ‎05-19-2019

Check the country it is going to. Many do not allow clothing to be imported. Some require a certificate of disinfection.

Patd

jeannicho22 · ‎05-19-2019

@patd3283 wrote:
Check the country it is going to. Many do not allow clothing to be imported. Some require a certificate of disinfection.
Patd

Here is a rather handy little link from the USPS about international restrictions:

https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_toc.htm

slippinjimmy · ‎05-19-2019

@jeannicho22 wrote:
@patd3283 wrote:
Check the country it is going to. Many do not allow clothing to be imported. Some require a certificate of disinfection.
Patd
Here is a rather handy little link from the USPS about international restrictions:

https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_toc.htm

And yes it's still riddled with errors just as it was 1-0 years, no wait, 20 years ago, no wait 30 years ago!!!!!

The USPS list is nearly useless for most countries, the information has not been updated in decades.

Any references to used clothing requiring a certificate of disinfection only applies (if at all) to bulk (container) loads not individual items sent by mail.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

pjcdn2005 · ‎05-20-2019

A gsp item can be tracked outside of the US as well.

I agree with the other poster that the usps list of other country’s prohibited items is isnaccurate not up to date so I would ignore the comments here to be wary of sending used clothing through the gsp. I’ve never heard of the gsp refusing to ship clothing. I can’t use the gsp as I’m not in the US but if I was there, I would probably be more comfortable shipping a $500 item to Spain through the gsp rather than shipping directly to the buyer. I would not use the gsp for inexpensive items less than a pound, I would ship those items directly.

myangelandmyprincess · ‎05-20-2019

I’ve shipped used clothing through gsp no problem. Even if the determine for some reason that your item is restricted it won’t matter you still keep the money. Gsp keeps the item and resells it.

Ive not had an issue using gsp yet. Yes you’re responsible in a not as described but to me that is the only con.

“Birth certificates show that you were born. Death certificates show that you died. Photographs show that you have lived.” -Unknown

lacemaker3 · ‎05-20-2019

@flowemitch wrote:
.... I understand that I can track it only in the US ...

The main benefit of the GSP for many is the excellent tracking. Once it reaches the GSP shipping depot in Kentucky, they give it a new number, which can be tracked here: PB GSP Tracking. When it is handed off to the post office in the destination country, it will get a new tracking number which is shown on that page, and there will be a link to the new tracking page.

@flowemitch wrote:
... that the people who repackage it do a poor job at it,...

I have purchased many items from the UK which were shipped by the GSP. None of them have ever been repackaged, or even opened. I don't think you need to worry about this. You can expect that the item will be professionally repacked if that is needed for some reason.

As others have said, this is the kind of transaction that GSP is best for.