@mjwl2006 wrote:
It is in the best interests of Ebay as a corporate entity because it will lower the hurdles Canadian buyers may face mentally when deciding whether or not to buy that $467 purse from an American handbag vendor. The question being, "How much will I have to pay in import fees?" If the answer is, "Nothing, buy from USA sellers like there is no tomorrow!" then that's not good for individual Canadian sellers. And, of course, I am looking at this like a small-time Canadian seller. I'm not seeing the 'big picture' like the head of ebay Canada might. And ten years ago, when I only bought on ebay and never sold, my reply to this call to action would have been, "Heck yes, where do I sign?!"
Good that you are able to see and accept that some will see it differently. People who mostly or only buy will want it lowered. I can't shake off the thought that eBay's wanting this is almost entirely grounded in their having that GSP in place. If ever there was a program to put people off eBay and buying American, that is it. I could be wrong, and probably am, but I can't help but wonder if there wouldn't be this pressing urge to change the Canadian import limit if there never was a GSP and things went on as they always had done before its inception.
I also am puzzling over the idea that the Canadian government would do as they're told by a US company. Maybe. I agree that changing the limit and having it on par with the American one would be good news for Canadian buyers, but I don't think it would be good for Canada as a whole. I don't see where our $20 limit is harming 'Canada' in any way. If items under around $100 get ignored then that is a choice, and done because it would cost to much to collect every cent. Making that choice then is good for Canada because it saves money for Canada. But to change the limit officially? No changing it back, or at least not without problems and costs. (There are times when stupid things happen, like the HST in BC. On, Off, On, Off, Oh, Decisions Decisions).
An eBay rep, even a Canadian one, is naturally going to be lobbying on eBay's behalf. This is not a person whose livelihood is dependent on selling here. Urging Canada to change the limit will be good for the American economy. It will mean the GSP does not have to charge tax on items valued at $20 cad and that will mean more people will buy GSP items. More people will, as pointed out here, buy freely from the US because there will be no incentive to try to find a comparable item in Canada first. No obvious reason to tell buyers, "Choose Canada Only from under Item Location".
Then there is the issue of how that limit will affect the entire retail industry in Canada, not just eBay. I wonder how easily the Canadian government can be bent to the will of an American company. How readily will Canada risk the Canadian economy to favor the American economy just because a big American company is telling them to. Because that is who will benefit from this. I don't see how this will benefit Canada or Canadians at all. Individual buyers, yes. But the Country as a whole, no. This is intended to be good for eBay and the US as a whole. More money flowing into the American economy. Same song, different verse.
Well now, I think I'm about all ranted out. 🙂
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