New Listing Tool GSP Shipping Issue

[iart]

Maybe I’m missing something and, if so, apologies for the time waste. This new system is really messing us up (we’ve had to revise 7 of our last 9 listings – a new record!). And I know that after a few weeks it will probably seem normal.

But… we don’t usually pre-pack our items. There are a lot of reasons for this. First, it would take up too much space, and our home already looks like a warehouse. Next, we might pack differently depending on where an item is going. Priority Flat rate might be cheaper than simple Priority. Or, maybe an item goes for a lot more money than we expected so we want to box it instead of using a padded envelope. Also, a lot of our items don’t sell for a couple years (or more) and postal rates might change so much that we want to pack the item differently, or even use a different shipper.

Okay, so on the old form we could estimate the weight 1-2 pounds, 4-5 pounds, etc. We were usually pretty close and the only time it really mattered was when the item went international through eBay’s Global Shipping Program (GSP). (We offer free shipping on most items except very heavy or large items where we DO pre-pack and enter the actual weight and size, postage paid by buyer according to location). But now, it seems they want us to put in the actual weight including the ounces. And then the actual size of the package.

So far, with this new and unimproved system, we’ve been opting to leave it all blank when using Free Shipping (the option: ‘I don’t know package details’). This should only matter when it goes international through GSP. But what happens when it does go GSP? How will eBay know what to charge the buyer? Will GSP automatically not allow it to ship globally through them? Will we be asked to provide the info every time an international buyer is interested in an item? Will eBay assume the item is weightless and dimensionless?

I'm tempted just to drop GSP, which we like, to avoid any potential problems.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

IDK about the new system, but it doesn't just matter for GSP, it also matters for the new surcharges that just went into effect for pkgs that are deemed longer than a certain length.  One of those is $4, the other $15.  It won't be calculated correctly, if you don't have dimensions.  That's true on the new listing tool or the old one. 

[itscalledapostingid]

Having that info in there will allow GSP to give an accurate shipping quote to the buyer which can result in more GSP sales. If you don't put it in they may be estimating a higher cost to buyers.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@itscalledapostingid wrote:

Having that info in there will allow GSP to give an accurate shipping quote to the buyer which can result in more GSP sales. If you don't put it in they may be estimating a higher cost to buyers.

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Yes.  But that is ALSO true for NON-GSP sales. 

[blingfling123]

@simply-the-best-for-you 

"Yes.  But that is ALSO true for NON-GSP sales. "

While you are right that the system uses generic information to provide a quote for a buyer domestically, for GSP it is different. 

GSP has default "guestimates" used based on similar sold items when nothing is entered with free shipping or missing dimensions. This was confirmed years ago by the blues.  The GSP estimates are high, because they cannot go back to the buyer for more money and they rarely charge the seller/cancel the sale over it unless it is a gross change. 

A buyer can get two different prices based on whether a seller has entered in weight and dimensions or not for the same exact item. Often times the default amount is higher than the amount when data is entered.  

I had a vintage bread box listed.  A buyer in Canada wanted it. I did not have the dimensions.  The buyer asked me to add them and then showed me screen shots of the difference in the shipping after the dimensions were added. It was not a small amount. 

[iart]

@simply-the-best-for-you 

As I wrote. We offer free shipping on most items. When we don't we DO add the correct weight and dimensions. Just as we said.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Sorry @iart  I missed the free shipping.  So you must already know about the surcharges, etc.  My bad.  

@blingfling123  that is really interesting.  I had no idea & I've used GSP for a couple of years now.  I sell clothing though, so it's probably a lot easier to estimate than for more bulky items.   Thanks for the education.