@logan17k_ll wrote:
As a rule I don't ship internationally, due to the hassle of potential returns, so I don't allow it in my listings. But companies are popping up that do the same thing as eBay's "Global Shipping Depot" or somesuch - offering US addresses for buyers across the world to buy our items and have them shipped. I've seen this on both my most recent big sales. A US address that turns out to be a shipping depot. There's no outward sign to the seller that you're not shipping directly to the buyer. This is the most recent: https://en.polexp.com/ebay.html
What's eBay's official stance on this? What are the liabilities/protections in these cases? If the buyer receives it damaged in shipping in Russia or whatever, I should be free and clear unless the US 'depot' opened it and inspected it prior to shipping it on, right?
I'm sure most of these places are simply trying to make it easier to buy and ship overseas items, which I can appreciate, I just want to make sure there's not some known scam here before I ship an expensive item to a middle man. Thanks.
Reshippers aren't new, I've sent items through them several times over the last few years. It's nice for me because the reshipper is on the hook for damaged items. If the buyer changes their mind or wants to scam, they have to PAY the shipping back to the reshipper FIRST. This is different (and much better) than eBay's GSP program. It's not 100% foolproof, but it's the only international method that gives a reasonable balance to seller vs buyer protection.
Member of the Grumpy Old Man crew
