eBay

vssoutlet · ‎04-12-2018

As a seller, there’s a lot to like about GSP, including:

The ability to ship heavier and more expensive items internationally
Not having to deal with customs
No worries about the length of time it takes for items to arrive
Tracking and delivery confirmation on every international shipment
Strong buyer and seller protection in the case of lost or damaged items.

In short, it was a huge risk for me to ship a $1000 camera to countries like Australia, Italy and China. Now the risk is greatly reduced.

GSP does have a rather large problem that continues to bother me as a seller, because it affects my customers: GSP personnel repackage EVERYTHING sent to the global shipping center in Kentucky.

We take great care in packaging our items. Our standard is that any of our packages should be able to withstand a 10 foot drop onto a concrete surface without damage. I’ve received damage complaints from international buyers with photos of the damaged products and packaging. Our larger bubble wrap is replaced by smaller, less protective bubbles. Our larger, heavier-gauge boxes are replaced with thin cartons. This “less is more” packaging philosophy seems to be universally applied to all items regardless of value and fragility. I’ve suggested to eBay that they have a special group with special training and higher standards to handle fragile and valuable items. I don’t believe they have implemented any such program.

While I appreciate the protection and reach that GSP has given me, I’m not satisfied until an item is safely on the hands of my customer and it is exactly in the condition in which I shipped it. This is a great program that can be much better with this small improvement.

phono_0490xxxxxx · ‎05-09-2018

@carlmarxx wrote:
Not all of US Sellers are in GSP .

Yes, but is the GSP the default setting when submitting a listing.... like paypal is the default method when paying for an item?

I have issues with the way GSP is via this Pitney Bowles and they being the only disclosed entity in this GSP sham. The written 'terms' state that Pitney Bowles 'may' use other parties in the process. They sure do, and it's likely my parcel/s will pass through 3-4 different entities before I get it.

The TRUSTPILOT reviews of the primary entity doesn't bode well at all.

https://au.trustpilot.com/review/wndirect.com

From an Australian review in these 12 pages, it looks like my consignment get handed to a courier Co. I've had bad experience with - long delays, poor customer service, useless tracking systems AND the fact my delivery address is outside their set delivery zones [unlike AusPost system where I'm in metropolitan Melbourne area]. As a result it moves from customs to this wndirect [ironic name] centre, then to a larger courier co. [fastway - not fast at all] , then to a small time contractor courier for local delivery IF I happen to be home [I doubt it]. If not home to accept? God knows, book a re-delivery? My last experience was seemingly stalled at a Fastway centre and then spent 3 days in the back of some small time courier van, who couldn't be contacted to find out where it was and when it would be here to accept.

This is a highly flawed and convoluted delivery system. eBay may try to profess they care just Pitney Bowles. I doubt it.

FACT: Simple, time proven, cheaper rates Royal Mail 1st class with tracking is far quicker, reliable and convenient, given I can pickup from a Post Office if I'm at work the day they deliver [a delivery I know to expect due to email notifications prior to AND upon delivery completed [ie. after I pickup at Post office - delcon].