I am trying to find a link where I can 'complain' about the shipping rates to Canada.

[canajungirl]

I've been on eBay for several years and have made many purchases, mostly from the U.S.

Lately the cost of shipping has gone through the roof. I have discussed this with sellers who tell

me the U.S. Postal Service no longer does parcels !? Everyone is 'forced' to use Global Shipping

by eBay. Others have told me that a 20% cut of the shipping fees goes to eBay. Don't know what

to believe but the cost of shipping has now become prohibitive. I do not live close enough to a border

town that I can set up an American Post Office Box. Some sellers don't ship to po. boxes anyhow.

I wanted to send feedback to eBay, not that it will matter much.

Anyone else less than happy with shipping rates to Canada?

[valve37]

You can complain here:

http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Buyer-Central/Comments-about-the-Global-Shipping-Program/m-p/180263#U180...

[artfulgardener]

I agree that US rates to Canada have  become ridiculous in many cases.  I have bought books on Ebay for about 12 years or so.   I find rates are all over the board now. as a result, I buy next to nothing now on ebay.  When I do, I always make sure the seller will only ship

by regular first class mail to Canada.  I never use Priority International or Global .  The stupid thing is I can see a book for sale for

$5. and shipping of $30.00 by Global , often with $8. or !0.  more on top of that for border fees.  This is what I hate.  A book can be

sent in an envelope by mail for 6 or 8.  by USP.  to my home in Hamilton, ON. I have even received 4 books in one parcel by regular mail from a seller in Texas and the postage cost by the US post office was just around $8.50.  No duty or border fees are necessary. 

The Canadian Post office only picks random parcels for assessment of extra fees which is usually to see if HST is required .  In all the

years of buying from the US.  I have only had that happen one time and I had to pay a few dollars on my end. 

Why would I ever use Global?  I can get books from the UK cheaper than from the US on ebay.  I have asked a few sellers in the US on Ebay if they will send an item by regular mail and they reply that they are unable to.  I believe that means they can't be bothered.

So I don't buy and they lose a sale.

I also have sold on ebay over the years and do not anymore.  I sold artcards which I simply sent in the mail in a regular envelope at about $2.  for shipping.  The sale price is usually $20.  and less, so with all the fees, charges and regulations with Ebay and Paypal , it

is hardly worth it anymore.

[puckstopshere]

Many U.S. sellers post the "approved" eBay/Pitney Bowes global rates in the shipping information.

I have found that many are quite happy to ship the old way for significantly less money.  It saves them the cost of getting the item to the nearest "Global" shipping center.

I bought a lot of pricing stickers from a fellow in Arkansas.  He said it would be at least a week before they shipped as he wanted to accumulate enough orders to make it worth his while to drive 6o miles to the nearest center.

[canajungirl]

I have had these experiences lately. $5.00 item and $30.00 of shipping fees with import costs on top of that. I too have only had to pay duty on a handful of the 300+ items I've purchased on eBay since opening my account.

The vendors I have contacted will not change to a cheaper method. Most are telling me eBay won't let them or the USPS doesn't have a parcel rate any more !!!! Also, one vendor told me that once an item has bid activity on it they cannot change from Global shipping to any other method.

I will be finding other online vendors for my purchases in future.

[canajungirl]

You have been more fortunate than I. Requests to ship cheaper/slower have been denied. We're talking small vintage Christmas ornaments not big furniture.

[femmefan1946]

. $5.00 item and $30.00 of shipping fees with import costs on top of that

There is neither duty nor sales tax on imports under $20. (And BTW, when these are charged the money comes to Canadian governments.(

Pitney Bowes who run the GSP usually only charge about $5 for processing and shipping from KY to Canada.

Check that listing again. Is the $30 the first shipping price? That's what the seller is charging. Is it the price a little further down? That is the duty/sales tax/trans-shipment fee from PB.

Keep in mind that the cost of shipping has nothing to do with the value of the item. Today I shipped a book to California. The book sold for $9.99. Exact postage was $25.87 because it weighed over a kilo.

Before GSP many US sellers insisted on using Global Priority shipping to have the same Delivery Confirmation that costs them 25 cents to obtain on domestic shipments. That service starts around $25.

Recently, USPS added DC to First Class International service. This means that for under $10 a parcel weighing up to four pounds can be shipped to Canada with Delivery Confirmation.

Many sellers have not learned this yet.

 or the USPS doesn't have a parcel rate any more !!!!

Either stupid or sleazy. Not someone to trust your money to.