Can Sellers opt out of the Global Shipping Program?

[alwaysthemusic]

I'm in a rural area and eBay has been my go to for many items needed, thankful for that! However I'm now finding the built  in import charges exceedingly high via the GSP, and some sellers agree it's unfair.  Can a seller remove the GSP or is an inevitable change to soon take over all seller accounts? If so, it's game over for me.

As an example, I'm looking at a pair of boots listed at a Buy It Now price of $149.99. The GSP import charge is a whopping $55.22. Which means once I've paid for shipping ($25.44) I've essentially spent half of the actual price of the item on .....

I'm astounded. And I know a lot of great U.S. sellers who absolutely need their Canadian customers.

What on earth is going on here???? I no longer will buy items from sellers charging this fee.

[surplusdealdude]

Sellers cannot opt out if they've opted in, but nothing says they have to list with GSP as a choice on their listings.

At $150, you'd get hit for HST for sure, plus applicable duty - that's what the $55 is for.

[marnotom!]

Information on opting out of the Global Shipping Program can be found on this .com page:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/shipping-globally.html#opt_out

Speaking of .com, view the listing for those boots on the .com site as well as the .ca site.  It was brought to our attention that for clothing items (and possibly a few other categories), the import charges are stated differently on .ca than they are on any other eBay site.

I'm not sure if this would translate into different import fees depending on what site you're logged into when purchasing the item, however.

[i*m-still-here]

always.........  Email the seller and ask that the item be listed without the GSP or if it's an auction item with bids ask the seller if he or she will ship without the GSP and  then fix it later.

OR.........  Buy the boots from someone else.

Yes, avoiding the GSP makes eBay shopping more time consuming and less fun, but if you have the time and really want the item the extra effort might make be worth it to you.

You're right though...........  It's unlikely that you'd have to pay taxes on a pair of boots regardless of cost............. at least that's the way it's been for me.

However, I've found that a very important problem with the GSP is that shipping costs tend to be inflated as well, and there's some question as to what happens to our parcels en route.  Perhaps not important for unbreakable items, but for delicate pieces it is an issue to consider.

(Apparently shipping cost is competitive for a very small percentage of select items, but even then it makes the search more time consuming and difficult for the buyer.)

Good Luck!

[marnotom!]

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@i*m-still-here wrote:

always.........  Email the seller and ask that the item be listed without the GSP or if it's an auction item with bids ask the seller if he or she will ship without the GSP and  then fix it later.

OR.........  Buy the boots from someone else.

Yes, avoiding the GSP makes eBay shopping more time consuming and less fun, but if you have the time and really want the item the extra effort might make be worth it to you.

However, I've found that a very important problem with the GSP is that shipping costs tend to be inflated as well, and there's some question as to what happens to our parcels en route.  Perhaps not important for unbreakable items, but for delicate pieces it is an issue to consider.

(Apparently shipping cost is competitive for a very small percentage of select items, but even then it makes the search more time consuming and difficult for the buyer.)

Good Luck!

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I don't see how the GSP makes searching for items less "fun" and more work than trying to avoid sellers who use completely inappropriate mailing methods such as Priority, Express, UPS or FedEx for modestly-priced items that are small enough to ship by First Class International.

At least GSP items can be found easily in search results so you don't even have to click on them.

[alwaysthemusic]

Ok thanks for the feedback, at least from now on I can tell the seller they can opt to relist without the GSP.  So far most of the sellers I've talked to aren't aware of that option.

[cyber_rover]

The Global Shipping Program does not cover import duties - read what it says; really it's just a bunch of ebay invented BS charges that never existed in the past. It is just an ebay cash grab to pad their bottom line and satisfy investors. I urge everyone in Canada to BOYCOTT ALL SELLERS using the GSH like I have done. ...and I complained about this to one seller and he immediately opted out of it.

[marnotom!]

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@cyber_rover wrote:

The Global Shipping Program does not cover import duties - read what it says

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How about just quoting what it says to support your argument, because right now I'm thinking your assertion is off the mark.

[alwaysthemusic]

Well I just got hit again, and a new twist on this GSP issue. Bought an item via the "Buy It Now" (there was no bidding option). The import charges were listed at $19 for the item at that price. So I committed to buying the item as I thought the charge was reasonable and the item was very much a great deal. I justified the GSP because of that.

Big mistake.

After commmitting to buy, the import charge changed to $44. What????

Called eBay to resolve and they passed me on to GSP after giving me no reasonable explanation or support whatsoever, aside from advising me to contact the seller. Meanwhile the whole point was to deal with the root cause of the problem as I know the seller isn't the issue here.

GSP was useless and offered no help, but they DID agree it was strange for the charges to change like that for a fixed price item.

Do I hear the word DECEITFUL anywhere, I asked him. Silence.

Finally I called the seller and she is horrified with not only this transaction's outcome, but has had problems with the GSP for other international sales. She will be cancelling the auction altogether and we will deal outside of Ebay.

That's what is going to happen here. And Ebay will be out the money altogether.

Bad, very, very bad form.

[reallynicestamps]

What province are you in and what was the value of the purchase?

If you are in Alberta the GST only would be charged at 5% of the purchase value. If you are in Ontario that would rise to 13% of the purchase value. The duty, if any , would not change, nor would the postage.

Some provinces also tax items (books, childrens' shoes) that are not taxed in other provinces.

Until the purchase is made the program cannot be exact about the tax portion of the GSP.

On low value items the GSP is a bad idea. On large, high value and heavy items, it can be cheaper than using USPS/Canada Post and it is almost always cheaper than using UPS or other couriers.

Keep in mind that while Canada Post is lax about charging tax, duty and their $10 service fee, you are liable for those costs if the post office picks your parcel out for processing.

[pjcdn2005]

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@alwaysthemusic wrote:

Well I just got hit again, and a new twist on this GSP issue. Bought an item via the "Buy It Now" (there was no bidding option). The import charges were listed at $19 for the item at that price. So I committed to buying the item as I thought the charge was reasonable and the item was very much a great deal. I justified the GSP because of that.

Big mistake.

After commmitting to buy, the import charge changed to $44. What????

Called eBay to resolve and they passed me on to GSP after giving me no reasonable explanation or support whatsoever, aside from advising me to contact the seller. Meanwhile the whole point was to deal with the root cause of the problem as I know the seller isn't the issue here.

GSP was useless and offered no help, but they DID agree it was strange for the charges to change like that for a fixed price item.

Do I hear the word DECEITFUL anywhere, I asked him. Silence.

Finally I called the seller and she is horrified with not only this transaction's outcome, but has had problems with the GSP for other international sales. She will be cancelling the auction altogether and we will deal outside of Ebay.

That's what is going to happen here. And Ebay will be out the money altogether.

Bad, very, very bad form.

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Please check my reply to your post on this in the Pitney Bowes repackages thread

[pierrelebel]

"After commmitting to buy, the import charge changed to $44. What????"

The problem is caused by a glitch on eBay.com where the wrong (and usually lower) "import fee" information is given at times.

If you take a look at your listing on eBay.ca, you see the correct "import fee":

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Frye-Womens-Melissa-Button-Zip-Short-76502-Gray-Size-US-10-B-/331010880223?Vi...

If you take a look at the same listing on eBay.com, the information is different (lower import fee):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Frye-Womens-Melissa-Button-Zip-Short-76502-Gray-Size-US-10-B-/331010880223?V...

The glitch (bug) is well known to the staff and management at eBay.ca in Toronto.  Why customer service at eBay could not help you speaks loudly about the lack of quality of their untrained or undertrained customer service.

It is most unfortunate you were "victim" of the glitch, allowing you to make a decision based on the wrong information displayed by eBay.com

You should contact management at eBay.ca and have them deal with the problem.

"they passed me on to GSP"

I am curious about that.  What does it mean?  I did not know eBay had a "GSP" department. GSP is Pitney Bowes, a different company contracted by eBay and located in a different location.

[pierrelebel]

Further to my earlier post, I should add that in addition to GST/HST/PST, there is 18% duty on boots imported into Canada when made in Mexico.

http://www.dutycalculator.com/dc/1318680/bags-shoes-watches-accessories/shoes-with-leather-upper-man...

The duty and taxes (GST/HST/PST) would apply at the same rates if imported directly from the seller by mail.  In addition, Canada Post charges $9.95 administration fee (brokerage/handling).

I am not trying to "defend" the Global Shipping Program (GSP) as I think it is not suitable to most Canadians in most instances.  I am simply attempting to explain the facts as they exist.  Many readers think that everything imported from the USA is "duty free" because of NAFTA.  That is not always the case as evidenced here.

[marnotom!]

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@pierrelebel wrote:

"they passed me on to GSP"

I am curious about that.  What does it mean?  I did not know eBay had a "GSP" department. GSP is Pitney Bowes, a different company contracted by eBay and located in a different location.

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Pierre, I've gleaned from a handful of other posts that calls regarding the GSP can be handled by a department separate from the usual eBay CSRs during regular business hours.  I haven't been able to find out if this department is made up of eBay staffers, Pitney Bowes staffers, or contracted workers, however.

[pierrelebel]

"...calls regarding the GSP can be handled by a department separate..."

Yes, it would be nice to have a bit more reliable information on that question.

A long time ago, I learned from individuals employed as "customer service representatives" for large international organizations that, too often, when we call a "customer service" department and eventually ask to speak to a supervisor, the call is simply forwarded to another representative, with identical status, giving similar answers.

The problem of lack of quality and adequate training for call centre employees is not found at eBay exclusively.  It seems to be universal, unfortunately.

In this case, the answer received from that so-called GSP department makes it difficult to believe it is staffed by folks who know what they are doing.

[i*m-still-here]

GSP posts really belong in the buyer's section, but they've seeped over to the seller's board and Town Square as well.

It's pretty much always the same.

An angry buyer vents about the GSP.

Then a handful of regular posters, and I am included in that number, respond by repeating the same opinions over and over and over.......... ad nauseam.

No one changes anyone else's opinion about the GSP and they never will.

Unless you're an eBay buyer or someone who has made it a hobby and takes pride in knowing eBay minutiae and rules and regulations ............................

No one cares about the GSP.

The threads go and on and on and on............... 

Until another angry Canadian buyer posts and then everyone moves and switches to that thread and says the same things over and over and over again.

I'd say we have a long year ahead.

[i*m-still-here]

Somehow lost from my OP along the way but very important........

The angry buyers who started the threads are gone after a post or two, and then it's down to a handful of regulars posting the same ideas over and over............

No one else reading this board cares about the GSP other than a lot of angry buyers ........... long gone..........and a few regular posters.

[kh-leslie]

Please post all questions about the GSP here: Questions about the Global Shipping Program

Please post all comments about the GSP here: Comments about the Global Shipping Program

[bennett4612]

Hi pierrelebel (and others on this thread).

Just a quick two cents regarding the availability of customer service "GSP experts". I can assure you that they DO exist. 

In order to get in touch with one of these experts, simply call the number for Customer Support and request to speak with a GSP Specialist. Hours of operation are Monday - Sunday, 6:00am - 11:00pm Mountain Time. 

Hope that helps. 

---Ben