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Integrating Global Shipping

Issue:

How to integrate global shipping into 1,000 + currently live listings and adjust the description explaining a global return policy within each listing.  

 

Context:

I have over 1,000 listings. 99% are used and new clothes. I have a 60 free day return policy on 99% of my listings. I am a TopRated seller.  I spoke with an eBay rep last night who explained that when a customer from another country purchases a T-Shirt for example, and they decide they do not like it, they must pay return shipping EVEN THOUGH I have free return shipping in the US. I double checked this info with another eBay agent. However, the agents did say that for my own protection I should state in every listing that international customers must pay their own return shipping. 

 

So I know the bulk editor can help me somewhat, however, I have different descriptions for NWT items and EUC items. So my descritions differ. 

 

What is the best way for me to:

 

1. Enroll all items into global shipping program.

2. Update all live listings to state "International customers must pay return shipping, under all circumstances without any exceptions."

 

Thanks!

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Integrating Global Shipping

The first post on this board describes how to set up international shipping so they have information about setting up for the gsp there.

 

2. Update all live listings to state "International customers must pay return shipping, under all circumstances without any exceptions."

 

You have to be careful of what customer service tells you. That particular statement wouldn't be enforceable if the buyer opened a not as described case and the reason was that you made a mistake you would be liable for return shipping. If the case was opened because the item was damaged in shipping or the item was switched at the gsp center, then the gsp would have to refund the buyer but they don't require a return.

 

For remorse returns... I'm not totally clear on how this works because an international buyer can't see any return policy on the actual gsp listing so they wouldn't see the 'free returns' unless they changed their location to the US. The gsp does state that they don't support buyer remorse returns  but they do say:

 

"The returns policy specified by your Seller in his/her listing description of a GSP Item will apply to your purchase of the GSP Item. For GSP Items located in the United States that you purchase under GSP and that you return to your Seller, you will not be eligible for, and you will not receive, a refund of any Program Fees that you paid to Pitney Bowes and Pitney Bowes will not be responsible for shipping the GSP Item back to your Seller."

 

That means that if a buyer did a remorse return, they would not receive the international shipping portion or  any fees paid to PB so I doubt that there are very many remorse returns. If they did actually file one though I don't know how that would work and if eBay would simply go by your stated return policy or if they would make an exception for international shipping.  since I don't see a place to specify free returns for domestic and not free for international.   You can put whatever you want in your description but that doesn't mean that eBay will honeor it. 

 

I realize that my information isn't what you asked for and it probably doesn't help you much but just wanted to mention that there is often more information available than the phone cs gives you and that they are not always aware of how things really work.

 

If I were in your situation I might ask  on the weekly board hour on Wednesdays on how to handle a situation like this...if free return shipping would be expected by eBay.  Something else that I just noticed...when I look at a search page as a Canadian and check off free return shipping on the left, I do see free returns on the search page itself to the left of each listing although I don't see it within the listing itself.

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Message 2 of 6
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Integrating Global Shipping

The first post on this board describes how to set up international shipping so they have information about setting up for the gsp there.

 

2. Update all live listings to state "International customers must pay return shipping, under all circumstances without any exceptions."

 

You have to be careful of what customer service tells you. That particular statement wouldn't be enforceable if the buyer opened a not as described case and the reason was that you made a mistake you would be liable for return shipping. If the case was opened because the item was damaged in shipping or the item was switched at the gsp center, then the gsp would have to refund the buyer but they don't require a return.

 

For remorse returns... I'm not totally clear on how this works because an international buyer can't see any return policy on the actual gsp listing so they wouldn't see the 'free returns' unless they changed their location to the US. The gsp does state that they don't support buyer remorse returns  but they do say:

 

"The returns policy specified by your Seller in his/her listing description of a GSP Item will apply to your purchase of the GSP Item. For GSP Items located in the United States that you purchase under GSP and that you return to your Seller, you will not be eligible for, and you will not receive, a refund of any Program Fees that you paid to Pitney Bowes and Pitney Bowes will not be responsible for shipping the GSP Item back to your Seller."

 

That means that if a buyer did a remorse return, they would not receive the international shipping portion or  any fees paid to PB so I doubt that there are very many remorse returns. If they did actually file one though I don't know how that would work and if eBay would simply go by your stated return policy or if they would make an exception for international shipping.  since I don't see a place to specify free returns for domestic and not free for international.   You can put whatever you want in your description but that doesn't mean that eBay will honeor it. 

 

I realize that my information isn't what you asked for and it probably doesn't help you much but just wanted to mention that there is often more information available than the phone cs gives you and that they are not always aware of how things really work.

 

If I were in your situation I might ask  on the weekly board hour on Wednesdays on how to handle a situation like this...if free return shipping would be expected by eBay.  Something else that I just noticed...when I look at a search page as a Canadian and check off free return shipping on the left, I do see free returns on the search page itself to the left of each listing although I don't see it within the listing itself.

Message 2 of 6
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Integrating Global Shipping

In my opinion, you should not use Global Shipping. Besides all the other issues with GSP, the costs are very high with lighter items and you might not get many sales. I believe you would be better off shipping  international yourself. (Unless these are expensive clothes) Add money to the handling fee to use as your own "insurance" to cover lost items. The less ebay is involved the better. Customer service is just about useless.

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Integrating Global Shipping

Agreed. It looks like the OP sells commodity clothing items that will ship at less than 1 lb. The GSP makes absolutely no sense for items like that. Even eBay admits as much nowadays.

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Integrating Global Shipping

Why do you say the costs are high? It was explained to me that the costs are the same for me as a seller, just like selling to someone in the US. I live in TN, so I would only ship to the GSP office in KY, less than a few hundred miles so MY shipping would't change. Does eBay take a higher percent from a GSP sale? What other costs are you referring to?
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Integrating Global Shipping


@greatbuysnservice wrote:
Why do you say the costs are high? It was explained to me that the costs are the same for me as a seller, just like selling to someone in the US. I live in TN, so I would only ship to the GSP office in KY, less than a few hundred miles so MY shipping would't change. Does eBay take a higher percent from a GSP sale? What other costs are you referring to?

They are referring to the costs paid by the buyer. In many cases, it costs the buyer more when the seller uses the GSP because the GSP charges them for international priority shipping plus import fees—which are inflated due to taxes and other fees charged by the GSP. For small items, it’s often cheaper for the buyer if the seller ships directly to them. 



One life is all we have to live
Love is all we have to give

**Formerly known as MissJen316**
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