what is with the Global Shipping rip off? I have never paid customs on an item like a watch, a phone

[okinaneko]

What is with the customs charges being handled on items that you never get charged on.

Is this just another way for eBay to rip off some extra loot along with Pitney Bowes?

I have had watches, cell phones and computer goodies all come through with no issue, just pay the tax when you pick up the package.

[patken123]

So if I need to buy  an item here that's under $100, should I take a chance with GSP enrolled sellers and the possible opening/repackaging of my item,the possible extra fees and charges? Or look to see who else is selling the same item without GSP being involved in the deal?

I know what common sense tells me which is:hey if you want a smooth,trouble free,low cost deal from eBay,stay away from GSP and any one connected to it.  

Am I worng thinking that?

[marnotom!]

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@patken123 wrote:

So if I need to buy  an item here that's under $100, should I take a chance with GSP enrolled sellers and the possible opening/repackaging of my item,the possible extra fees and charges? Or look to see who else is selling the same item without GSP being involved in the deal?

I know what common sense tells me which is:hey if you want a smooth,trouble free,low cost deal from eBay,stay away from GSP and any one connected to it.  

Am I worng thinking that?

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How much under $100 is the item?  Remember, anything with a declared value of over C$20 can potentially be hit with a tax charge from Canada Border Services plus a C$9.95 handling charge if sent through the mail.  I'm not sure what you mean by "extra fees and charges" in this context.  The charges on a GSP item should be stated right on the listing page.  While the "import charges" are an estimate, the sense I get is that they're usually pretty accurate. 

Your item may or may not get repackaged, depending on its nature.  I posted this link on another thread yesterday which explains--in theory, at least--when items will get repackaged, amongst other things:

http://blogs.pb.com/ecommerce/2013/07/17/global-shipping-program-faqs/

The concerns I have are mostly with the customer service end of things when an item doesn't arrive or if for whatever reason a full refund needs to be issued, but I think those wrinkles are slowly getting ironed out.

If looking at a GSP listing, decide whether the shipping charge seems reasonable for an item of its size.  Work out the taxes owing on it (PST/GST/HST) and decide if the import charges are an accurate reflection of those taxes owing.  Consider how likely it would be for those items to be charged those taxes plus ten bucks handling if the the item were sent by mail.  Consider how likely it would be that the item might need to be returned.  Finally, consider the total price of the item which would include the shipping and any other handling fees.  Is it still a good enough deal for you?

Keep in mind that most of those considerations apply to any eBay purchase, not just ones using the GSP.

[00nevermind00]

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@marnotom! wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

"don't purchase the item, find another sellers".

That is easy for you to say but it is hard when the seller has the only one item in the whole wide world like original negatives, slides and transparencies, the ones that don't have extras. 

It is not like a photographer that can take a picture of Elvis and come out with 20 same negatives of the same image.  So it is not that easy.   It is similar to some items that are one-of-a-kind items which we won't "find another sellers".

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Owning a one of a kind photo of Elvis also isn't essential for one to lead a full, productive life.  Remember, much of the stuff that's sold on eBay is stuff we don't actually need.

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I can't let this one pass.

I usually enjoy reading your contributions Marnotom but I think you were out of line here. People buy what they buy on ebay for all kinds of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. The comment about one-of-a-kind items is one that resonates with me because a lot of what i buy here falls into that category. Do I need it to lead a full, productive life? No, I don't. But it makes me happy to own it. What's wrong with that? My house is full of things I don't actually need to lead a full, productive life. And if you're honest about it, I'm sure you'll admit that yours is too.

So yes, the advice to "find another seller" works for people buying things that are offered by many sellers. But it's a non-starter for those of us buying rare or one-of-a-kind items. I think the poster was making a valid point.

[bb_cool_stuff]

Did you ask the seller if they would be willing to opt out of the GSP for the item you were interested in ?

Worth a shot.

[00nevermind00]

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@bb_cool_stuff wrote:

Did you ask the seller if they would be willing to opt out of the GSP for the item you were interested in ?

Worth a shot.

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Sellers can only do this if their items don't already have bids. Listings that have bids can't be altered. When that happens, I email the seller to let them know why I won't be bidding on their item. I usually get a nice "thank you" note, telling me they had no idea how expensive the GSP was for the buyer.

There was one item a few months ago that I just couldn't pass up on. So a friend of mine in the US bid on it for me using his own ebay account. He won it and sent it to me along with other stuff he was going to send me anyway. This $300+ postcard-sized item sailed through customs unharmed and I saved $80+ in GSP and other fees.

Most of the time when I see that "no additional charges at delivery!" blurb, I just sigh and move on. This GSP thing is leaving more money in my pocket and putting a little less in ebay's. Not that they'd notice, mind you.

[marnotom!]

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@message*board*id wrote:

I can't let this one pass.

I usually enjoy reading your contributions Marnotom but I think you were out of line here. People buy what they buy on ebay for all kinds of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. The comment about one-of-a-kind items is one that resonates with me because a lot of what i buy here falls into that category. Do I need it to lead a full, productive life? No, I don't. But it makes me happy to own it. What's wrong with that? My house is full of things I don't actually need to lead a full, productive life. And if you're honest about it, I'm sure you'll admit that yours is too.

So yes, the advice to "find another seller" works for people buying things that are offered by many sellers. But it's a non-starter for those of us buying rare or one-of-a-kind items. I think the poster was making a valid point.

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Sorry, but I'm standing by my comments.  There's lots of stuff in my house that I'm happy to own, as well, but if it were suddenly wiped out in a house fire tonight, I'd certainly be upset but I'd sooner be happy that my wife and cats were safe.

[dipmicro]

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marnotom! wrote: 

Think of the Canada Border Services agency as being like a policeman.  People break the speed limit all the time, but he can only catch so many of them.

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Instead of policeman, think of them as toll booth attendant.

When you receive shipment and taxes were not charged, it's border agency not doing its job 🙂 You owe nothing.

[vickieg34]

I've been buying items form eBay for several years now & even bigger items (i.e. a bicycle trailer/stroller) and have never paid duty or additional shipping charges.  Yes, I can stop buying frpm the US, and yes I can find items elsewhere, but I was often trying to buy from my neighbouring country instead of sending my money overseas (to where the items are MUCH cheaper & shipping is often FREE).  So even if you talk yourselves blue in the face with your excuses/explanations of why this GSP thing is there, it's still a deterrent for alot of us Canadians & I think you're shooting yourselves in the foot.

[marnotom!]

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@vickieg34 wrote:

I've been buying items form eBay for several years now & even bigger items (i.e. a bicycle trailer/stroller) and have never paid duty or additional shipping charges.  Yes, I can stop buying frpm the US, and yes I can find items elsewhere, but I was often trying to buy from my neighbouring country instead of sending my money overseas (to where the items are MUCH cheaper & shipping is often FREE).  So even if you talk yourselves blue in the face with your excuses/explanations of why this GSP thing is there, it's still a deterrent for alot of us Canadians & I think you're shooting yourselves in the foot.

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So what are you going to do if you do get charged taxes (and possibly duty) for an eBay item you purchase from outside the country?  Stop buying from eBay altogether?

[mojoenix]

I'm totally with vickieg34 on this one. I've bought countless items on ebay, none of them have I had to deal with customs. First time I got charged this extra $30, I simply asked for proof of payment to customs and no one was able to or willing to provide it. Not ebay, not the seller, not Pitney Bowes. This really rubs me the wrong way especially because the product I purchased was made and assembled in the US so it should have been exempt based on NAFTA. I simply wanted the proof of payment to customs so I could request my legitimate refund on erroneous charges. If this were completely legitimate I'd think that this wouldn't be a problem. Got a funny feeling either ebay or their Pitney is simply pocketing the cash on these. Wouldn't surprise me considering the issues I've had with Paypal in the past. If I want something on here now I will be avoiding this scam entirely. I haven't purchased anything on ebay since that last purchase that cost $30 more than it should have. This is bad for the ebay community and if it is legitimate, it should be far more transparent. 

[afantiques]

the product I purchased was made and assembled in the US so it should have been exempt

If it was valued over Can$20 it was not exempt from sales tax, and the charge was import sales tax not 'duty'

Since the money you paid was just part of the money paid on clearing a bulk shipment of many packages, a specific reseipt would not be possible, or indeed have any real point as you were liable to pay it (see numerous explanations on other threads.)

It is sensible to avoid GSP sellers where the program is used inappropriately, such as for items that could be sent far cheaper by FCMI and would have a good chance of avoiding import taxes altogether, but you need to be aware that anythin over $20 is liable to be taxed.

[northmak69]

Just bought my first item that ran through this GSP (or Pitney Bowes). If I wouldn't have needed the item so badly - I would have skipped buying. Import charges on a USED camera part? Come on - seriously? I'm cynical as well about how much actually goes to Government of Canada coffers. I'll be giving the heads up to several other ebayers i know - as in I am quite ticked with this new ambigious money collection service. Yes, i read all the variables that CAN go into the import charges. But I'm guessing that the biggest chunk is a handling fee that Pitney Bowes and Ebay are collecting. Not amused. I will be avoiding the GSP as much as I can. If you are a seller using GSP, well don't be surprised if it takes much longer to sell to Canadians.

[marnotom!]

As mentioned in another post, Northmak, $1.95 of those Import Charges went to GST and the other $3.71 are various customs clearance fees.  Those fees are lower than the C$9.95 Canada Post charges for collecting taxes on behalf of the Canada Border Services Agency on those occasions when they do assess imports for taxes due.  They do do this sometimes as all postal imports with declared values of over C$20 can be taxed, etc.

[pocomocomputing]

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@marnotom! wrote:

As mentioned in another post, Northmak, $1.95 of those Import Charges went to GST and the other $3.71 are various customs clearance fees.  Those fees are lower than the C$9.95 Canada Post charges for collecting taxes on behalf of the Canada Border Services Agency on those occasions when they do assess imports for taxes due.  They do do this sometimes as all postal imports with declared values of over C$20 can be taxed, etc.

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The GSP is a pile of "do do", lol.

[grosspointblank63]

Well, for comparison, lets look at an actual example, buying a guitar for $750.00

Bought one from a seller on Ebay who DIDN'T use the GSP.

He sent it to me through USPS, insured, signature required.

I paid him $84 for the shipping/insurance. It arrived to my door in 6 days, at which time i paid an additional $107.45.

So my total outlay for having this shipped to me was $ 191.45

If it was put through the GSP, this is what the charges are that are listed that have to be paid on checkout.

Shipping - $108.71  Import Fee's $ 163.91  For a total of $ 273.62 !! That is $81.17 more ! And i can almost guarantee it would

take 3-6 days LONGER through GSP.

So where is that $81 + going ?  That is a huge difference, and i find it hard that that much extra is justifiable.

On top of that, if you look through the listings with the GSP listed, on 10 other similar guitars costing $750, the charges will

vary through the GSP by as much as $75. Its like they are random, and that is as frustrating as anything else involved in this scam.

As mentioned, most sellers are not aware of the outrageous charges.

For those reply's that are dismissive, if you are a seller, with auctions, is it not much more to your advantage to have as many bidders as possible ? More bidder's means there is a greater chance of a higher auction ending price. But there are many many 'potential' bidder's, like myself, that even though you have an item i want, will not bid because of the ridiculous GSP costs.

So who is benefiting from this program ?  Hmmm...

[grosspointblank63]

One other thing, i meant to mention in the previous post.

I have bought a number of guitar's, amplifier's, and other musical gear item's, probably approaching 75-80 item's, and 99% have been sent to me in Canada through USPS.

Without exception, not a single item has been damaged, and the average time for deliver is 7 business days. ( i have had items arrive in 4 bus days, and a few, have taken as long as 10 business days, with one that took 14 days, but that was the exception )

So what is the GSP supposed to do ? Other than obviously extracting a lot of my money from me ?

And contrary to some previous posts, it is most certainly not making its way to our Canadian government coffer's, that is just hilarious ! ( i am not suggesting that none of it is, but by my previous post and example, obviously a very large percentage of the money being charged is fattening up the bank accounts at PB and feebay. )  It is nothing but a purposely convoluted, and tricky way for them to grab more $, as they are running out of other ways to find fee's to charge to seller's, having been hard at work in past years exhausting that avenue.

It's an unscrupulous and unethical business practice, and i'm not sure how they are able to get away with it. 

[marnotom!]

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@grosspointblank63 wrote:

Well, for comparison, lets look at an actual example, buying a guitar for $750.00

Bought one from a seller on Ebay who DIDN'T use the GSP.

He sent it to me through USPS, insured, signature required.

I paid him $84 for the shipping/insurance. It arrived to my door in 6 days, at which time i paid an additional $107.45.

So my total outlay for having this shipped to me was $ 191.45

If it was put through the GSP, this is what the charges are that are listed that have to be paid on checkout.

Shipping - $108.71  Import Fee's $ 163.91  For a total of $ 273.62 !! That is $81.17 more ! And i can almost guarantee it would

take 3-6 days LONGER through GSP.

So where is that $81 + going ?  That is a huge difference, and i find it hard that that much extra is justifiable.

On top of that, if you look through the listings with the GSP listed, on 10 other similar guitars costing $750, the charges will

vary through the GSP by as much as $75. Its like they are random, and that is as frustrating as anything else involved in this scam.

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I've also seen guitars listed with the GSP with shipping rates lower than what you paid for your guitar.  Keep in mind that a portion of the GSP's shipping charges are what the seller charges for shipping the item to the Global Shipping Center.  A seller with relatively modest domestic shipping charges is likely going to have more reasonable GSP shipping charges.

As for the import charges in your example, I have no idea if you're doing an apples versus apples comparison here or an apples and oranges one.  You don't suggest at all whether or not the guitars are exactly the same or even if they they have the same selling price or are manufactured in the same country.  The price of the item and its country of origin can have an effect on the import charges.

[regalservice]

In Response to Marnotom!

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Im in Canada, and find it truly appalling that this Global Shipping Program exists, I will NOT be buying ANYTHING that uses the GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM

This program really Ruins shopping on eBay some people are going to completely stop using eBay simply because of the Pitney Bowes Global Shipping Program. There are many reviews of it on the internet and youtube and almost all of them are negative.

I would appreciate it if eBay would STOP the PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM Completely and Entirely and revert back to the old ways of doing things where sellers and buyers are in control.

There has been many listings that I would have normally already bought but haven't because of the global shipping program. its irritating to ask every seller who uses the program to NOT USE IT if you BUY from them.

[regalservice]

I would appreciate it if eBay would STOP the PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM Completely and Entirely and revert back to the old ways of doing things where sellers and buyers are in control.

There has been many listings that I would have normally already bought but haven't because of the global shipping program. its irritating to ask every seller who uses the program to NOT USE IT if you BUY from them.

[marnotom!]

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@supersales2u wrote:

I would appreciate it if eBay would STOP the PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM Completely and Entirely and revert back to the old ways of doing things where sellers and buyers are in control.

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Are you implying that sellers have absolutely no control over whether or not they use the GSP?

Are you implying that buyers have absolutely no control over whether or not they purchase an item that's listed with the GSP?

[marnotom!]

I would appreciate it if eBay would STOP the PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM Completely and Entirely and revert back to the old ways of doing things where sellers and buyers are in control.

[regalservice]

Yes,  after asking sellers who are enrolled in the global shipping program to not use the program for a sale they often do not respond or say they cannot do it.

yes, after calling eBay customer support I was told that it is not possible to search eBay listings from sellers without the global shipping program.