Global Shipping Programme

[j2774]

I just purchased an item from the UK that is going to be shipped to me via the Global Shipping programme.  It is a tiny, lightweight item, and the shipping seems excessive--at $30 to ship an item that weighs a fraction of a pound and boxed up will be a tiny parcel.   My guess is that this Global Shipping programme is hosted by eBay in some way to make MORE money on shipping, yes?  How exactly does it work?  If I sell something, I pack it, take it the post office, and post it myself.  It the item is much too large or delicate as to warrant professional packing, I drop it off at the local pack and mail store and let them do it, but that is rare and is only done for large, delicate, difficult items, and never for something small, lightweight, and very easy to pack and ship.

[dbmm-media]

you knew what the cost was going to be. if you thought it was to high you should not have bought the item 

[j2774]

Please try to concentrate and stay on point.

[pjcdn2005]

The seller ships the item to the gsp center which is run by Pitney Bowes.  I believe that they process the package through customs there and then forward the parcel via freight. I don't know how it works in all countries but when a package is sent to Canada via the gsp, it is sent first to another gsp processing center in Ontario and is sent the rest of the way with Canada Post.

I don't know if ebay gets a kickback or not, however, they started the program so that more sellers would sell internationally so obviously ebay benefits when there are more sales.  Sellers who are uncomfortable about shipping internationally on their own may use the gsp because once the item reaches the first processing center, most of the responsibility for the item falls on PB, not on the seller.

[j2774]

Thank you, pjcdn2005. I have purchased from overseas on a number of occasions and never had any real problems. The irony here is that the increased shipping cost to the buyer will cause me to buy less not more.

[pjcdn2005]

Many Canadians feel the same way.  Items sent from US to Canada can actually be less expensive through the gsp if they are heavy but many sellers use it for light, inexpensive items which can be frustrating.