Why we stopped using "eBay International Standard Delivery"

[toyshnip]

eBay International Standard Delivery is a service for international shipping. The label comes out of ebay with 2 tracking numbers, one that goes to the ebay center, and one that goes from ebay to the international destination.

At first I was skeptical. We do a lot of international shipping, so why do we need a middle man. The savings were not that amazing. But we decided to offer it and see if customers want it.
We did get here and there customers that wanted ebay's service, so we worked with it.

Until we started to get issues. Customers would contact me asking for customs information. We don't know what ebay put in their customs forms. ebay told the customers to contact us.
Then customers complained that they didn't get the item. They started to open cases. Since we didn't do the international shipment, we don't know why there were issues. It is very hard to find the 2nd tracking number as what is listed on the sale is just the tracking info going to the ebay center, and not international info.

eBay puts in their help page that there ebay will cover up to $100. All we need to do is issue a refund to the customer or win the case and then put a claim with ebay.
But here is the catch. eBay will only cover the value of the item. So lets say someone orders a $20 item that cost $25 to ship (yes, sometimes shipping is more expensive then the item). The customer paid a total of $45. We paid $25 to purchase the label. When we refund (as the item is lost), we refund $45. eBay claims only cover the value of the items - $20. So we are short $25 and don't have the item and an unsatisfied customer.
Just not worth it.

[gwzcomps]

This doesn't surprise me.  I had enough problems with GSP to know I couldn't trust this service either.

[toyshnip]

The price is not the issue.
eBay's price for "eBay International Standard Delivery" is actually cheaper compared to USPS. What they charge include shipping the item to their center and then it covers international shipping. The only thing it doesn't charge (unlike GSP) is customs and other fees.

Many sellers don't want to deal with international orders. This makes it easy as they print a regular label and drop it off at USPS. The customer needs to pay a bit less in shipping. But when things go wrong that is when it is not worth it.

[toyshnip]

"and how do buyers know before purchase how much shipping will actually be? My guess they don't."

We do shipping by weight. So when the buyer goes to the listing, they see shipping rates including (when it was active) the option for ebay shipping.

[Anonymous]

Contact eBay... they will reverse this. eBay's international standard delivery service is liable if the package doesn't arrive on time or at all... but you will still lose the case if left to the idiot computers. You need to speak with a human to get this fixed.

[lakeland_music]

You sure about that?  From my understanding they are "liable" for only $100, and you are responsible for refunding the buyer in full.  I have a buyer from Russia right now who opened an INR, and the tracking only goes to the shipping center in Miami and stops there.  It's been 53 days since shipment.  I'm going to talk to ebay today but I do not have high hopes of resolving in my favor.

[ittybitnot]

@lakeland_music 

  I have a buyer from Russia right now who opened an INR, and the tracking only goes to the shipping center in Miami and stops there.

If your buyer used a "freight forwarder" (there are lots of them in Dade County), and THAT is the address provided to you by eBay,  add the delivery confirmation (to Miami) in the dispute.  You should not lose the case. 

[lakeland_music]

It's ebay International Standard Delivery, they are the shipper.  I don't think it qualifies as a third party.

[Anonymous]

I sold a part to a fellow in Canada... and shipped with Standard Delivery. Sadly the package was sent to Tokyo and then to New Zealand! After the delivery date passed, my customer filed a did not receive claim and then escalated it. eBay gave his money back as they should... but they took the money from me!

I called several times to appeal the decision but so far eBay's just giving me the run-around!

Below is what we are told about seller protections when using Standard Delivery... clearly this is a lie!

Our shipping protection plan:

Every time you use eBay international shipping we protect your shipment with our shipping protection plan.
You can be assured that your international shipments arrive at their destinations, or we will protect you if
there is an issue that is beyond your control. (Talk is cheap eBay!)

[miata*coyote]

I was just looking into using this service, and I'm very glad I found these posts. When I was reading over the terms, I felt uncomfortable how complicated it seemed. 

Thanks for adding your info, everyone. You might have just saved me a big headache!

[kennys-kollectibles]

I tried this for about a month years and years ago, and had several issues in that month and 

I have not sold internationally ever since.  Didn't look back.  More hassles than it was worth. 

[do_918382]

Sorry to read your experience. Thanks for posting it.

[cornerstorecollectables76]

I have had this exact same issue, and have had to refund more than the cost of the "insurance" claim with give us. Never using ebay interational shipping service ever again

[lakeland_music]

I despise eBay's shipping.  I used to use GSP all the time, which was great because they took full responsibility for the item.  But then they began rejecting the items (amplifier vacuum tubes), saying they were hazardous, which is ridiculous, so I would lose the item and have a **bleep** off customer.

Then eBay international standard delivery came out, and it was cheap, and they took care of the international part.  Fine, tried it for awhile, and at first it was working great, but then they started losing packages left and right, and they started rejecting them again for the same reason.    

So now I just leave it up as an option, and use USPS directly, I put the weight in so that I get a big bump in shipping price, and that is for insurance, or to pad my losses when they lose something or a customer scams me with an INR.  Do I feel bad about it? Nope.  I'm making up all my losses, which are pretty significant over the years.  

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.