Problems with eBay's Global Shipping Program?

[ATP]

This isn't meant to sound snotty, just in case it comes out that way Mike. In your example you posted with the screenshot of the charges for the Mantle item, as the buyer, what part of that do you feel is too much, price wise? The $16 for the shipping or the amount estimated for the import duty? To me it looks like about the cost for priority mail shipping I would assume, if I shipped and insured a $300 item, plus somewhere on the lower end of your estimate of between 13 percent and the ridiculous 45 percent you mentioned. Genuinely, I am really interested in understanding how international buyers feel about this program as I have gone back and forth many times about using it, and this discussion is helping me see it from the buyers side.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by ATP

This isn't meant to sound snotty, just in case it comes out that way Mike. In your example you posted with the screenshot of the charges for the Mantle item, as the buyer, what part of that do you feel is too much, price wise? The $16 for the shipping or the amount estimated for the import duty? To me it looks like about the cost for priority mail shipping I would assume, if I shipped and insured a $300 item, plus somewhere on the lower end of your estimate of between 13 percent and the ridiculous 45 percent you mentioned. Genuinely, I am really interested in understanding how international buyers feel about this program as I have gone back and forth many times about using it, and this discussion is helping me see it from the buyers side.

I personally have not had much problem in terms of the pricing, as I never said that. What irritates me is the process the GSP goes through. First of all, I can't combine shipping from a seller (which does allude to cost). Next, I am paying for a pretty expensive shipping service that 1) does not provide reliable tracking 2) feels the need to open up all my packages and 3) several times repackage them poorly, or in this case, damage it.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by MikeKam

I personally have not had much problem in terms of the pricing, as I never said that. What irritates me is the process the GSP goes through. First of all, I can't combine shipping from a seller (which does allude to cost). Next, I am paying for a pretty expensive shipping service that 1) does not provide reliable tracking 2) feels the need to open up all my packages and 3) several times repackage them poorly, or in this case, damage it.

I suppose they have to open each package to insure that the item is actually in the package since they are now the ones on the hook for it. I had never even thought about that before...I guess I assumed they just took the package and forwarded it on with other packages headed for the same destination.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I suppose they have to open each package to insure that the item is actually in the package since they are now the ones on the hook for it. I had never even thought about that before...I guess I assumed they just took the package and forwarded it on with other packages headed for the same destination.

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I suppose they have to open each package to insure that the item is actually in the package since they are now the ones on the hook for it. I had never even thought about that before...I guess I assumed they just took the package and forwarded it on with other packages headed for the same destination.

Thats a fair and smart assumption, but it isn't the case.

It just seems more efficient to me for the seller to ship directly to the buyer, without the middle man.

I understand the whole liability/responsibility of the package issue here, but I feel like that packages shipped internationally with tracking shouldn't be much of an issue. I am biased in the sense though that I've never had any problems with tracking international shipping.

[ATP]

Just for fun, I calculated how much it would be if I were to send the Mantle photo in the example to canada. If I sent it the cheapest method available on usps.com, it would be $19.50, and that would be a flat rate priority international envelope with no insurance. So, their $16.91 shipping fee (not including the import part) is cheaper than I could get, that's interesting.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by ATP

Just for fun, I calculated how much it would be if I were to send the Mantle photo in the example to canada. If I sent it the cheapest method available on usps.com, it would be $19.50, and that would be a flat rate priority international envelope with no insurance. So, their $16.91 shipping fee (not including the import part) is cheaper than I could get, that's interesting.

Strange, but I typically never get charged that high. Most people charge me up to $10 for an 8x10 and that includes tracking. I once received a poster in a tube (with tracking) and the price paid was $5 and a few cents.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by MikeKam

Thats a fair and smart assumption, but it isn't the case.

It just seems more efficient to me for the seller to ship directly to the buyer, without the middle man.

I understand the whole liability/responsibility of the package issue here, but I feel like that packages shipped internationally with tracking shouldn't be much of an issue. I am biased in the sense though that I've never had any problems with tracking international shipping.

Well, I've had 5 that I can recall just this year that didn't make it to their destination or didn't get scanned in when delivered and an unscrupulous buyer took advantage of me. 3 of them to China. The tracking usually just shows "arrived at customs" or some similar message...and then nothing. Only one lost package in the US out of thousands and it only had to go from Lincoln, Nebraska to Sutton, Nebraska. I probably had 100-150 international packages.

[slidekellyslide]

This was posted to ebay's community forums today.

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Shippin...4503#U23194503

This is exactly why I use the Global Shipping Program.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

This was posted to ebay's community forums today.

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Shippin...4503#U23194503

This is exactly why I use the Global Shipping Program.

This seems weird to me, and if it is problem for you guys I do agree that the program does benefit you greatly. I ship from Canada using Canada Post, and no matter the country, I've always had the tracking go straight to delivery and not stop at processing.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

This was posted to ebay's community forums today.

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Shippin...4503#U23194503

This is exactly why I use the Global Shipping Program.

Her issue was that the tracking didn't show "delivered" with the final scan due to the type of shipping she chose. This has long been a problem with defending claims when shipping internationally as ebay will automatically rule in the buyers favor unless you have a tracking that can be checked online and shows "delivered" for that final scan. When shipping to Canada now, as well as a number of other countries, the USPS tracking now tracks all the way to final delivery. This is a relatively recent development for USPS shipping though, and still does not apply for every country.

[ATP]

Originally Posted by MikeKam

I personally have not had much problem in terms of the pricing, as I never said that. What irritates me is the process the GSP goes through. First of all, I can't combine shipping from a seller (which does allude to cost). Next, I am paying for a pretty expensive shipping service that 1) does not provide reliable tracking 2) feels the need to open up all my packages and 3) several times repackage them poorly, or in this case, damage it.

Thanks for clarifying, I think I just assumed you thought the price was too high as everyone seems to complain about that, but you are right :-)

To some degree, I can understand that they do need to know what is in the package since they are responsible for importing it. However, I think it is terrible that they repackage it poorly. The one item I had an issue with was a framed photo, and when it arrived in Canada, it was just thrown in a box loose, all of the packaging I placed inside to protect had been removed (to lighten the package I suppose). I am still on the fence about continuing to use the program, and really appreciate the insight.