Lack of support

[m3399]

As far as I'm concerned eBay offers no immediat support when needed.

Opinions of other members are not always helpful or accurate.I am talking as a buyer.I do not sell.

eBay makes the money not the buyer,yet when there are problems we have to go to great length to protect ourselves from some dubious sellers .There is no possibility to contact eBay direct in urgent situations.

That's the sad truth about eBay and their Global Shipping Program charges are  unfair and without concept or clear percentage calculations. In some cases there are higher so called import fees for lss expensive items and the other way around.Completely random and not serious.

Another issue is the return shipping policy.If a seller gives innacurate informations about their merchandise,the buyer should not be forced to return and pay for shipping and risk not to be refunded .

As a buyer we need to pay in advance for what we buy.The seller should be forced to do the same.Refund and pay for return shipping (if he/she misrepresented the items or sent the wrong ones) before the buyer sends back the false,damaged or misrepresented product.

[dmil8030]

<<opinions of other members are not always helpful or accurate.>>

I suppose not, particularly when you are not being told what you want to hear.  

Then seek out the superior assistance of an ebay telephone attendant.  From the top left

side of the page, find the words Help & Contact and click it.

Scroll down to the blue button that says Contact us.

A phone number and pass code has become difficult to get to, but you can do it by clicking the

"after purchase" option and selecting the one for  "leaving feedback".

You will then be permitted the phone call and code, -- be sure to use it right away.

[femmefan1946]

Buyers hate the Global Shipping Program and it is usually not useful for Canadian buyers.

That being said, the import fees are made up of :

Duty-- based on the origin of the item not where it is purchased.

You can check the duty here: 

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pdt-pdt-eng.html#_s3

There is no duty on used goods.

Sales Tax-- varies from province to province.

Sales taxes are applied to used goods

Service fee-- around $5 USD.

Remember that has risen due to the drop in the Canadian dollar.

Not part of the import fee but part of the buyer's shipping cost:

Seller's shipping and handling fee.

The seller chooses this.

Most, especially those who do not realize they are enrolled in the program, who are more numerous than you think, only charge what it costs them to send the parcel domestically with Confirmation of Delivery.

But some, will charge the USPS international tracked rate, which really should not be applied to Canadian shipments. There is a different. cheaper, rate card for Canada.

One thing we have to remember, especially with an election this month, is that the Harper government raised the amount a cross-border driver could bring back in, to $200 but left the maximum of $20 for postal imports.

While CBSA and Canada Post have informally decided to ignore shipments that cost more to process than could possibly be charged to the importer, private commercial companies cannot legally do this.

They have to assess every item valued over $20CDN (about $15 USD at the moment)and remit the money collected to the Crown.

We don't have to like it.

[lucitabby]

It's been said before but here it is again.

Do not buy from sellers using the GSP.  Do not buy from sellers in China.  Do not buy from sellers using "drop shipping.  Yes, some are fine but we hear of many issues - no arrivals, high shipping, return difficulties, etc.

Do buy from Canadian sellers with excellent feedback and reasonable or free shipping - do buy from US & UK sellers with excellent feedback and reasonable USPS or Royal Mail shipping, no GSP.

Look for quality and fair price including shipping and don't forget to read the entire description of items for sale.

Mail order is not for everyone - buyers and sellers.  As a buyer, you are in charge and can pick and choose the seller that you think has the best deal for you.  You may choose a seller with a total higher price than others but one with high quality and service.  

Shop wisely on the internet, same as you would at different stores in your town.