GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM

[wl91531]

Hi All happy new year.

I would like to just vent a little bit. I know it wont make any difference.

I have been buying from Ebay since 1995. And lucky never had any problems with shipping except a few damaged packages. Till Global shipping came to light. I guess Global shipping is good for the sellers . but its not so good  for buyers and since i only buy, I wont get into all my problems . 

 I definitely perfure The USPS  over Bowers. 

Any way I find it disheartening that I cant buy something on ebay because of Shipping method. I spent 1000's of Dollars a year on ebay . And i dont know how many 1000's i didnt spend because seller could'nt or would'nt Ship with the USPS. 

I know that most of ebay sellers and buyers never look at these pages . I just hope that maybe next year will be a better year on ebay. And ebay opens up there pay and shipping mehtods .

thanks all no need to reply every one have a great new year!!!

[phcd1]

It's sad that eBay has totally destroyed international purchases, but that is what they have done. I (along with 90% of other sellers) no longer ship internationally. I'm sorry.

It worked just fine be GSP.

[catmandoos]

What exactly is the issue? Ive heard complaints about high rates. I've sold a few things international through gsp but not many.

[00nevermind00]

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@catmandoos wrote:
What exactly is the issue? Ive heard complaints about high rates.

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How much time do you have?

High rates, slow shipping, difficulty combining items for shipping are a few of the problems. Also mentioned on these boards sometimes is damaged items due to poor repacking at the hub.

Then there is the hopelessly confusing claims process when something goes wrong: item not received, item damaged in transit, wrong item received. The process is very counterintuitive but poorly explained so buyers are often left to their own device trying to figure out how to get their money back. Some (many?) involve the seller because that is what you are supposed to do with non-GSP problems. This will usually leave the buyer unhappy because the part of his/her payment that went to Pitney Bowes cannot be refunded by the seller. It also leaves the seller unhappy because he/she is out the money refunded after being promised by eBay/Pitney Bowes that he/she is out of the loop once the item is on its way to Kentucky.

The GSP is obviously successful otherwise it would have been scrapped. However, there are buyers (I am one) who would sooner have painful dental surgery rather than purchase anything that has the GSP tacked onto it. Ebay is so blinded by love for its pet program that it has consistently refused to address, or even look at, the most glaring problems.

On the positive side, there are items (mostly large and/or heavy and/or bulky items) that ship cheaper, and sometimes quite a bit cheaper, with the GSP. A sewing machine is a good choice for GSP shipping. A postcard or a pair of fashion earrings, not so much!

[catmandoos]

Thanks for the insight. Of the handful of items I've sold, two heavier pair of work style shoes, the other a larger dimensional item.

[catmandoos]

I'll add while I don't normally jump into something without being fully versed - ebay has made it very easy for sellers to opt in. It's literally a box to check, and suddenly (supposed) the world is your oyster. Then, we ship as usual to KY. They handle everything from that point.

[afantiques]

For sellers, it's like driving the tank, for buyers the view from under the treads is less appealing.

[wl91531]

Great answer. for me its also import charges . when my country has no carges for anything less than 300. They always seem to add an extra amount. 

Ebay does nothing for free . you better believe there making money off shipping too with the GSP.

I also just want to thank all the sellers that see through there scam . And are still willing to Ship good old USPS

[wl91531]

I wouldn't stop selling international all together theres far to much money to be maid. I would first consider there feedback score. then communicate with them ask witch way is the best way to ship to there country. buyers like me have had thousands of items shipped to Asia for over 10 years .

[rvannooij]

Latest on my long list of GSP complaints; Ordered two hard-cover limited-edition books. Sellers package was repacked by P&B without any filler to stop the books sliding around in the box.Result: corners on the covers all dented horribly.

A Google search gives a long list of horror stories about GSP over the last 4 years, why hasn't Ebay done anything about it?

I'm done this money-grab scam of a program.

[testedg00d]

Is this why shipping fees if not shipping with GSP are outrageous? Our Company (writing from my personal acct) has refused to take part in GSP since the beginning, But Ebay's calculated shipping fees are out of control.. I called ebay to find out why and the first thing they recommended was signing up with the GSP.

[kathimac05]

I need some help with best way to ship a pair of altec lansing cabinete speakers to China. I've check UPS and the cost (air) is more than the speakers. I'm not familiar with the global shipping program. The weight will be about 200 lbs, crated, from US 37405 to Yulin China, 537000. Can anyone give me some direction on what would be least expensive way to ship these speakers to China? Thank you. BTW, I did uncheck global shipping box when first appeared bc it was messing things up but have shipped to many countries overseas, including Asia, with no problems but have never shipped something this heavy 

[wl91531]

The issue is its not strait up. 

I buy somthing from you . you go to the post office mail it. It Goes through USPS system .to my country postal system and gets diliverd for a price . No problems

 Now use GSP . There price is about the same as USPS. EXCEPT  they add on so called import , duty or handling charges when there is no import or duty . They pass it off to a second party postal sestem .

usally Fedex . and the fedex has special rules with ebay . you dont get the prime service . they bring to your house when they are coming to you area . or pass it off again to a 4 party dilivery system. 

 So on averge they are about a week slower . 

 Also I live in a privit Condo and only the local postal company has access to my unit and mail box. 

 If im not home they can't enter the Condo my mail box is locked so they never leave a message of delivery. its a real pain .

 Now if ebay worked out a deal with the USPS  everything would be great .

I dont like I have to pay for another 3rd party postal service . ebay claims is duty,or import charges. 

Now I have to beg sellers to go the old way and ship USPS direct. 

 GSP is a great Idea . I just dont think ebay did there home work because every country has differnt postal systems and differnt requirments . Using each country national postal service should be the way to go.

[wl91531]

I bought a box of sport cards . when it was sent to GSP someone cut right through the box with a box cutter when opening original packaging . the item wa chaep so i just let it go.

There should be some kind direct feed back about GSP 

when you leave feedback on your item for the seller . there should also be feedback on the GSP SYSTEM