cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

 

I've been stupid enough not to pay attention that the seller I've bought the item from is going to ship it through "Global Shipping Program". One of the "selling points" of this latter outfit is that the Customs Fees are already included in the shipping costs, so buyer does not have to arrange for and pay for the Customs clearance upon item's arrival. This might make sense for buyers purchasing from the USA or other countries not belonging to the European Union.In my case, however, the seller and buyer (myself)  were both in the countries of the European Union, so there never was any question of any customs' clearance or dues or fees etc. etc. 

 

The item's listing before I bought it read, among other things, as follows : "Express Shipment to (destination) - GBP 24.15".  I've paid these 24.15 quid in addition to the item's price and commenced waiting for my parcel to arrive with "Express" speed.

 

Now, shipment between any two EU countries, even if sent by the country's most common/usual/normal postal service (registered airmail with tracking) takes no more than 7 running days (it's mostly 6 running days, actually, but in the very worst case - XMas, Easter etc. big holidays, the parcel may be delayed  and come within 8-10 runnings days).  My parcel has been shipped by the seller right after purchase, -  on December the 27th (i.e. after Christmas), so I cannot put any blame onto the seller for having been not prompt enough with his dispatch.

 

So the GSP took over on December the 27th, - and it took the parcel 2 days till December the 29th  to cover  132 miles from Cardiff to Lichfield (both in the United Kingdom.)  Then it just remained in Lichfield till December the 31st (another 2 days) and was finally shipped from there on that day.

 

Thereafter it just disappeared from tracking for full 3 days - until this morning the tracking showed nothing else apart from departure from Lichfield on December the 31st. [What made me laugh (though bitterly) was the kind explaination on the tracking site of what the hell the item had been doing in Lichfield on December the 29th :  "Customs Documentation and Labeling  - Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom"    As said there simply CANNOT be any such thing as "Customs Documentation" for parcels sent between any two countries of the EU.]

 

This morning January the 04th, the tracking woke up again to show the item having reached the city of Neuenstein in Germany - and it became obvious that the item is proceeding BY TRUCK.  With this way of shipment it is likely to reach me only in 7 (probably 10) running days from now. If this is an "Express" Shipment, then I am the Roman Pope.

 

And now, - the most beautiful part of all the aforementioned :  yesterday I have written to seller and he informed me that, on his part, he was charged 11.00 pounds by GSP for this shipment. As already said, in my turn, I have paid them guys 24.15 pounds, - so the total this organisation got for this small shipment (slightly more than 1 kilogram in weight) had actually been GBP 35.15.   

 

I am a long time eBay member sometimes selling the items myself so I know only too very well what kind of shipment  the amount of GBP 35.15 can buy. To start with, there's no question that for this kind of money the parcel must travel BY AIR, and not by truck.  Secondly, for about 35 pounds the item could have well been shipped by UPS or DHL courier and arrive here in 2-3 days (!!!)  

 

So what is this "Global Shipping Program" thing ? Is it a scam or an outright robbery ?

When I tried to express my bitter feelings to eBay, - I found absolutely no email address I can send my complaint to. The eBay have effectively  "defended" themselves against any complaints by offering a phone conversation as the only way of the client's feedback. On my part, I do not need any phone conversation with a person who, in 99 per cent of cases, simply does not understand what I'm talking about and, in any case, is completely unable to assist  (I've spoken to them ladies before, so I know what I'm talking about.)    

 

Does eBay community have any suggestions on how we can combat the intolerable practices of GSP ?

 

Thank you,

 

oldy2007 ( the eBay member for almost 12 years)

Message 1 of 14
latest reply
13 REPLIES 13

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

If the shipping cost you paid said 24.15 the 11 the seller is talking about that he paid came out do that 24.15 making it 11 to get to the gsp and 13 to get it to you.  

“Birth certificates show that you were born. Death certificates show that you died. Photographs show that you have lived.” -Unknown
Message 2 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

The seller doesn't pay anything to the gsp to ship the item. They are responsible to ship the item to the gsp center in Litchfield so they are saying that they paid  11 GBP to Royal Mail (or whichever carrier they used) not the the GSP.   If the seller charges for domestic shipping, part of the 24GBP that you paid would have gone to the seller for the domestic portion of the journey.  You wouldn't be able to see if the seller charged for the domestic shipping part of it but you should be able to see how much money went to PB and how much went to the seller.

 

The GSP is often slower than sending an item directly but for some reason, they use the term 'expedited shipping' on all gsp listings which I've never understood. It is sometimes more expensive as well but it isn't a scam or a robbery, it is just a method that some sellers prefer to use as they are uncomfortable or unwilling to ship directly outside of their own country. 

Message 3 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

   I always try to take a look at the other sides thinking. If Ebay Global Shipping was not offered to the seller by eBay, he probably would not sell internationally (extra packing,paperwork and rules). You would either have to provide a USA address to purchase the item, or not be able to buy the item at all (from him/her).

  Also, whenever I think of international mailing, I get ready to hunker down and just wait knowing it will take time. This mentality really helps me, espically when I order from China.

Message 4 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

I don't think GSP is a scam, per se.  It's eBay's baby, allegedly to help sellers ship better internationally.

 

(Related to another set of discussions) I'm wondering if, when you receive your item late, it'll qualify for a NAD return just like any other shipment which eBay claims the shipping/delivery time is part of the description.  Interesting thing is that the seller puts his/her trust in eBay's program - and eBay contracts with shipping services which clearly have difficulties telling the difference between economy (truck) and express.  You paid for express, and by eBay's "policy", they (eBay) should be held fully liable for a return/refund/demerit since they are the ones who contracted with the shipping service.  That is, if they are held to the same standard they hold the sellers who do not participate in their program.

 

I hope your package gets to you safe and sound.

 

~M

Message 5 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

Thanks for your input. The Seller, however,  w r o t e  me that he paid GBP 11 to GSP and I do not understand why on Earth would he have lied to me. As far as I am concerned, I surely have paid GBP 24.15 for P&P. But even if the Seller misunderstood something/if his information was thus inaccurate, - the fact that I was charged 24.15 quid for shipment is 100 pct certain 🙂   Now, - I have received the parcel yesterday and it spent in transit to me exactly 12 days !!!   For 2/3rds of this amount one could have sent it by normal registered airmail with tracking - through Royal Mail/Parceforce - and I would have got it in maximum 7 days.  Please also take into account than both seller and myself are in EU countries - so there is no "customs documentation" whatsoever to be drawn up.  I am also completely uncapable to fanthom what the hell the parce had been doing in Litchfield for 3 full working days and why on earth it had to proceed by truck instead of normal "PAR AVION" postage.

Message 6 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

Thanks for your comments. I have received the parcel yesterday and it spent in transit to me exactly 12 days !!!   For 2/3rds of this amount one could have sent it by normal registered airmail with tracking - through Royal Mail/Parceforce - and I would have got it in maximum 7 days.  Please also take into account than both seller and myself are in EU countries - so there is no "customs documentation" whatsoever to be drawn up.  I am also completely uncapable to fanthom what the hell the parce had been doing in Litchfield for 3 full working days and why on earth it had to proceed by truck instead of normal "PAR AVION" postage.

Message 7 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

"Taking a look at the other sides thinking" is, undoubtedly, a very fair approach.  But in our case with this seller there simply could NOT have been any "extra packing, paperwork and rules" - because we are both in EU countries. Likewise there are absolutely no "customs documentation" to be drawn when sending from one EU country to another, - and the GSP explanations on tracking site that the parcel spent some (enormously long)  time in Litchfield for this reason was simply a pack of lies.  After this experience I am 100 pct convinced on should absolutely NOT use GSP for shipments within EU, only for shipments to/from USA, China, other countries not belonging to this Community.

Message 8 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

@oldy2007, thanks for the clarification that you AND the seller are both in EU countries. That's a different matter, as the responses you got were regarding a USA seller using the GSP program. Unfortunately, it's doubtful anyone here has any knowledge of the processes of GSP from one EU country to another...the vast majority of us are based in the States.  If you feel the seller was deceptive and/or that the extended delivery time was unrelated to the holidays, contact eBay Customer Service.

 

When using GSP to ship from the USA, the seller's responsibility for the package ends once GSP takes over, and any issues from that point forward must be addressed with Customer Service.

Message 9 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?


@oldy2007 wrote:

Thanks for your input. The Seller, however,  w r o t e  me that he paid GBP 11 to GSP and I do not understand why on Earth would he have lied to me. As far as I am concerned, I surely have paid GBP 24.15 for P&P. But even if the Seller misunderstood something/if his information was thus inaccurate, - the fact that I was charged 24.15 quid for shipment is 100 pct certain 🙂   Now, - I have received the parcel yesterday and it spent in transit to me exactly 12 days !!!   For 2/3rds of this amount one could have sent it by normal registered airmail with tracking - through Royal Mail/Parceforce - and I would have got it in maximum 7 days.  Please also take into account than both seller and myself are in EU countries - so there is no "customs documentation" whatsoever to be drawn up.  I am also completely uncapable to fanthom what the hell the parce had been doing in Litchfield for 3 full working days and why on earth it had to proceed by truck instead of normal "PAR AVION" postage.


I’m still thinking there is a miscommunication.  As far as I know at no point does a seller pay gsp 

“Birth certificates show that you were born. Death certificates show that you died. Photographs show that you have lived.” -Unknown
Message 10 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

Please, let me just notice that so far no one has answered the initial question: is GSP scam or robbery?

Let it be me to answer then. It is  robbery. I have been charged £19.95 for a regular shippment of an item from UK to France. I could have bought a plane ticket for the price and pick up my parcel in person.

And it is a scam. You may think i had and option to not buy the item so it is my fault. No way would I accept this kind of price if I knew! The listing was showing £7.95 as the price of shipment to France instead. The additional cost of £11 was simply taken from my accont via paypal later as a separate transaction and I haven't been notified, I found out by pure chance, checking something on paypal.

I have just checked ebay informations about this and they state I can't ask GSP for the  total (option unevilable) nor can I know the total of postal charges before the transaction is paid for.

And now the original listing which I can check cia my purchase history is not original anymore! It shows the full postage price £19.95

I made a formal complaint to paypal yesterday and I'm waiting for their answer. From what I read online I have minimal chance to get any money back.

I do solemnly declare to not buy from any seller using GDP ever again.

Hanna Szajowska

Message 11 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

Please, let me just notice that so far no one has answered the initial question: is GSP scam or robbery?
Let it be me to answer then. It is robbery. I have been charged £19.95 for a regular shippment of an item from UK to France. I could have bought a plane ticket for the price and pick up my parcel in person.
And it is a scam. You may think i had and option not buy the item so it is my fault. Hah. No way would I accept this kind of price if I knew! The listing was showing £7.95 as the price of shippment to France instead. The additional cost of £11 was simply taken from my accont via paypal later as a separate transaction and I haven't been notified. I found out by pure chance, checking something on paypal.
I have just checked ebay informations about GSP and they state I can't ask GSP for the total (option unevilable) and there is no way of knowing the total of postal charges before the transaction is paid for.
And now the original listing (which you can check via "purchase history") is not original anymore! It shows the full postage price, £19.95
I made a formal complaint to paypal yesterday and I'm waiting for their answer. From what I read online I have minimal chance to get any money back.

I do solemnly declare not to buy from any seller using GSP ever again.

Hanna Szajowska

Message 12 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

I ship directly to my (domestic and international) customers, so I have never used the GSP. From what I know about the program, I don't consider the GSP a scam or robbery overall, it is simply inefficient and not cost effective for the particular scenario that you described (EU country to EU country). 

 

Now you certainly shouldn't have been told it was express shipping and shouldn't have been charged an additional GBP 11 for the shipment. I would contact ebay through their contact page to see about getting at least a partial refund.  That part is at least dishonest, if the "express" delivery date was not met and the additional fees were not disclosed during purchase.  

 

Message 13 of 14
latest reply

Global Shipping Program - a scam or an outright robbery ?

Please, forgive me my mistakes. I have tried to edit but "edit time has expired" and it seems it was my only chance. No edit option is not available.

Message 14 of 14
latest reply