eBay

christing29 · ‎08-05-2015

Hello everyone,

I sent seller a message that I was interested to bid a used strobe lighting made in USA; however, I noticed there were 2 identical images from 2 different sellers. I asked him I was interested in purchasing 2 items and if he could combine the shipping. It appeared they were 2 different sellers. He replied me immediately that he only has 1 item and the shipping is free. I decided to bid and won the item on Monday, August 5th, 2015. I was about to pay on the same day but it showed that I need to pay an extra $45 US for shipping and import charges. I immediately sent 2 separate messages to him asking why there is shipping fee plus import/duty charges and if there is a way to remove them. I received no response for more than 48 hours.

I finally received the response back from him this morning "No, there is not. That's just part of buying something expensive from another country. I should let you know that I've put it up for a second chance offer. So if you plan on paying the import duty, you'll want to do that fast."

I called Ebay customer service if it's ok to ship the item to cross border shipping address in the USA. Point Roberts, USA is only 15 minutes drive from Vancouver, BC. They told me it's allowed but I have to send the request to the seller before I pay the item. So far I receive no response back from the seller. Any suggestion of what I should do?

Thanks for your help!

pierrelebel · ‎08-05-2015

What is the listing number?

Does the listing mentions "free shipping" to Canada specifically?

or only within the USA?

Does the listing show the seller shipping to Canada?

PS - Most listings on eBay.com showing "free shipping" mean exactly that: free shipping within the USA.The distance to the border is meaningless. Shipping outside the USA requires special shipping method and they cost more, often much more.

"He replied me immediately that he only has 1 item and the shipping is free"

Did the seller know at that point that you were located in Canada? Was it specifically mentioned in your request?

christing29 · ‎08-05-2015

Thank you for your help. The eBay item number:131563140445

The seller didn't mention that in his first message so I assumed that he didn't know I'm located in Canada. I wasn't aware that the FREE shipping was only within the USA either. I purchase a lot of of items from the USA and they normally ship them to Point Roberts, Washington to avoid brokerage fee, etc. I have sent a request if he can ship the item to Point Roberts but I received no response back from him.

pierrelebel · ‎08-05-2015

The listing is very clear. Free shipping is to the USA only.

Coming to Canada requires extra shipping and prepayment of taxes (import charges) on this listing. It is clearly specified in the listing.

eBay sees you as residing in Canada. By purchasing the item, you have committed yourself to payment of these charges.

The only way around would be for the seller to cancel the transaction and create a new listing not requiring Global Shipping.

"so I assumed that.... "

Never a good idea to assume (we all know the meaning of the word) on eBay.

Good Luck

christing29 · ‎08-05-2015

Thank you for the valuable feedback. I'm pretty new with Ebay and I found out it's not always a friendly environment 🙂

So, what would you recommend me to do? I don't want to pay the extra $45. I sent a request if he can ship it to Point Roberts and so far no reply from him.

Thanks again 🙂

pierrelebel · ‎08-05-2015

"I sent a request if he can ship it to Point Roberts and so far no reply from him."

It is more complicated than that.

The item was purchased under the Global Shipping Program (GSP) where the American seller ships domestically to a distribution centre in Kentucky and the parcel is then sent to Canada (and overseas) with prepayment of taxes, duty (if applicable), extra shipping and handling fee (brokerage fee),

The purchase you made falls under GSP. The seller is obligated to ship to Kentucky upon receiving payment from buyer. There is no option available to the seller to change the shipping address.

As stated above, the best thing to solve the problem is for the seller to cancel the transaction and relist the item without GSP.

If you want the item shipped to an address in Washington, you must add that address to your PayPal profile.

Good Luck

christing29 · ‎08-05-2015

Thank you Pierre. You've been more than helpful and you made my day so much better!!

pocomocomputing · ‎08-05-2015

@pierrelebel wrote:
"I sent a request if he can ship it to Point Roberts and so far no reply from him."

It is more complicated than that.

The item was purchased under the Global Shipping Program (GSP) where the American seller ships domestically to a distribution centre in Kentucky and the parcel is then sent to Canada (and overseas) with prepayment of taxes, duty (if applicable), extra shipping and handling fee (brokerage fee),

The purchase you made falls under GSP. The seller is obligated to ship to Kentucky upon receiving payment from buyer. There is no option available to the seller to change the shipping address.

As stated above, the best thing to solve the problem is for the seller to cancel the transaction and relist the item without GSP.

If you want the item shipped to an address in Washington, you must add that address to your PayPal profile.

Good Luck

My understanding is that a PayPal Canada account can only have addresses in Canada.

The OP should add the USA to her eBay Shipping addresses and make the that address her primary shipping address then purchase the item. The USA address will be passed to PayPal as the address for the transaction. After the purchase is made, then the OP can change the Primary shipping address back to their Canada address.

In the future, the OP (Original Poster in case the OP does not understand this abbreviation) should do this change to her primary address before purchasing from a USA seller and purchasing will be easier.

lady.stark · ‎08-05-2015

@pocomocomputing wrote:

In the future, the OP (Original Poster in case the OP does not understand this abbreviation) should do this change to her primary address before purchasing from a USA seller and purchasing will be easier.

I don't think it is necessary to add the address before buying. The OP could add his USA shipping address now and choose that address when paying. He does not even need to make it his primary address since shipping is free in the US. EBay will recognise it immediately, even for GSP items. I know, I did it 😉

Steps:

- Add USA shipping address on eBay shipping adresses

- Click "Pay now" in Purchase History

- Verify if only one item is there - if not, choose "pay only this seller" for the GSP item

- Change the shipping address there at the upper left

- Continue the payment process as usual

christing29 · ‎08-05-2015

Thank you Pocomo,

Unfortunately I can't change my Paypal shipping address because it's linked with my Etsy account. I also sell handmade items on Etsy and I shipped over 1000 items worldwide. I need my customers to know where the items are from.

christing29 · ‎08-05-2015

Thank you for your help Lady Stark. I found out there is an option for me to change the shipping address to the USA address.

Now my concern is would the FREE shipping include a tracking number and insurance? When I called Ebay customer service this morning, she mentioned that I should not pay the item unless the Seller agrees to ship it to the new address. He described that there was an accident with the item but it should be working properly. I want to make sure I'm protected by Ebay in case something wrong with the item (item not received or damaged).

I still havent received no communication back from the buyer either.

pocomocomputing · ‎08-05-2015

@lady.stark wrote:
@pocomocomputing wrote:
In the future, the OP (Original Poster in case the OP does not understand this abbreviation) should do this change to her primary address before purchasing from a USA seller and purchasing will be easier.

I don't think it is necessary to add the address before buying. The OP could add his USA shipping address now and choose that address when paying. He does not even need to make it his primary address since shipping is free in the US. EBay will recognise it immediately, even for GSP items. I know, I did it 😉

Steps:
- Add USA shipping address on eBay shipping adresses
- Click "Pay now" in Purchase History
- Verify if only one item is there - if not, choose "pay only this seller" for the GSP item
- Change the shipping address there at the upper left
- Continue the payment process as usual

Thanks for the clarification. I do little buying on eBay since I find most items I need or want locally in the Vancouver BC area.

On another note, if the OP (or any Canadian buyer with a USA shipping address available) makes their primary shipping address on eBay their USA address when searching, would eBay search not show them a lot more items to choose from with extra USA only sellers (not in GSP) especially if they search on eBay.com (maybe even on eBay.ca if the address is USA).

The other issue would be with PayPal and the seller restricting purchases to PayPal USA buyers. As I understand it, a USA seller can restrict payments to PayPal USA accounts. This would restrict PayPal Canada buyers.

pocomocomputing · ‎08-05-2015

@christing29 wrote:
Thank you Pocomo,

Unfortunately I can't change my Paypal shipping address because it's linked with my Etsy account. I also sell handmade items on Etsy and I shipped over 1000 items worldwide. I need my customers to know where the items are from.

Pierre was suggesting changing the PayPal address. I was suggesting adding the USA address to your eBay account.

femmefan1946 · ‎08-05-2015

He replied me immediately that he only has 1 item and the shipping is free.

Sellers cannot see where a Message originates unless the customer tells them. Most US sellers will assume that the enquiry comes from the USA.

Best Offers do not apply to shipping*.

I immediately sent 2 separate messages to him asking why there is shipping fee plus import/duty charges and if there is a way to remove them.

Why two?

Import fees are set by the Canadian government and have nothing to do with the seller. Most import fees include a service fee to the shipper for wrangling the purchase through customs.

Was this a GSP item?

If so the import fees would appear on the listing. The amount may vary, because the Canadian duty and sales taxes are percentages of the selling price.

They told me it's allowed but I have to send the request to the seller before I pay the item.

OTOH, the seller is required to ship only to the address on your Paypal account. Add the Point Roberts address to your PP account and notify the seller.

While the import limit is $200CDN** at the border, and only $20 by mail, you may still have to pay import fees. Don't forget to include your time (BC minimum wage is about 17 cents a minute) and gas to your import costs.

So far I receive no response back from the seller.

You could ask eBay for his phone number. He will also get yours.

Sometimes these problems can be resolved with voice communication, when emailing is too awkward.

*There is a workaround, in which the Best Offer is further reduced by the cost of the shipping, but the shipping remains in place. That is The item is $10 and shipping to Canada is given as $5. Total $15. The Offer is $9 and Free Shipping. The counter-Offer is $4 and $5 shipping. In both cases the buyer pays $9.

** About $150 USD. If import fees through the GSP were $45USD, you will be paying the same at the border.

maximus7001 · ‎08-06-2015

" He replied me immediately that he only has 1 item and the shipping is free."

That is because he is an American and as far as he knows there is only one country in the world and that is USA.

I has a look at the auction in question $440 US ($579.13 CDN) and I see $75 CDN payable at the border (Pembina/Emerson crossing) @13% plus (You pay more in BC) $5 UD ($6CDN) for the guy that holds your package for pickup (thats what I pay per package up to 70 pounds).

Canada customs has it wrong with their online calculator. Manitoba has 8%pst and 5% gst = 13% not 12%.

That $200 exemption only applies if you have been in USA for 24 hours.

Less than 24 hours24 hours or more

Personal exemptions do not apply to same-day cross-border shoppers.

Up to CAN$200 – Alcohol and tobacco cannot be claimed. Goods must be in your possession at time of entry to Canada. If the value of the goods you have purchased abroad exceeds $200 after a 24 hour absence, duty and taxes are applicable on the entire amount of the imported goods.

I am in no way defending the GSP and I have a US ebay and paypal account along with a US address to avoid the stupid GSP that is misused most of the time. In this case the GSP would have worked out in your favour, included shipping and you would not have had to even start your car.

Now you don't have the strobe and he has a stronger unfounded belief that Canadians are idiots. Great outcome NOT.

maximus7001 · ‎08-06-2015

This part "(You pay more in BC)" is incorrect and the edit time is over on that post.

lady.stark · ‎08-06-2015

@pocomocomputing wrote:
On another note, if the OP (or any Canadian buyer with a USA shipping address available) makes their primary shipping address on eBay their USA address when searching, would eBay search not show them a lot more items to choose from with extra USA only sellers (not in GSP) especially if they search on eBay.com (maybe even on eBay.ca if the address is USA).

The other issue would be with PayPal and the seller restricting purchases to PayPal USA buyers. As I understand it, a USA seller can restrict payments to PayPal USA accounts. This would restrict PayPal Canada buyers.

Yes, if primary address is in USA, the search on eBay.com would include items "USA only". But there is a way to make them appear without changing your shipping address. You just need to make a search, click on a listing. go to the shipping tab and change the country there (I always use 90210 as the zip code). Then I click on "Go back to search results" and new items will appear. If one of them interests you, it is possible to contact the seller and ask politely if he would ship to Canada. Some will accept, others won't.

I have never heard of that restriction from PayPal though... is it new?

lady.stark · ‎08-06-2015

@femmefan1946 wrote:
(1) Sellers cannot see where a Message originates unless the customer tells them. Most US sellers will assume that the enquiry comes from the USA.

(2) Add the Point Roberts address to your PP account and notify the seller.

(1) When a buyer send an eBay message, I always see the country he is from under is ID.

(2) Not PayPal -> add to ebay shipping addresses in "Account" then "Addresses"

pjcdn2005 · ‎08-06-2015

You're right, you can see the country the user is registered in when they send a message. The seller might not have thought to check....especially if they get few international transactions.