eBay

aramatic · ‎07-17-2023

They say to be careful what you wish for. Well, time to eat humble pie. I was a voluble critic of Global Shipping's mysterious "import charges" and of course the apparent nonsense of shipping an item twice, first to Erlanger, Kentucky, and then to wherever it was actually going. I've got what wished for, sort of... no more "import charges". Worse, CBSA collecting sales tax, charging $9.95 for the pleasure of doing so, and even adding 8% duty apparently at random. The federal government must be running short of money as it's grabbing every penny it can, and more.

And instead of Erlanger, everything from the US now seems to be sucked into a postal black hole in Illinois, inching forward from one post office to another somewhere in the Chicago area until finally being released. Even slower than GPS! I didn't think it was possible. I had something sent from Sweden on June 28. It arrived July 10. On June 23 I bought something that was shipped from Texas. Still waiting.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎07-18-2023

@marnotom! wrote:
@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
Because there is no actual visible breakdown of charges can anyone confirm if EIS is factoring in the billed shipping charges for basing a value for customs? Is it possible this may be throwing off the calculation for duties/tax being collected?
For what it's worth, @lotzofuniquegoodies. my C$36 pair of pants shipped through eIS would have been taxed if shipping charges were factored into the declared value. They weren't.

@marnotom!

Would nice to see it all documented. Standard procedure with CP or couriers. Would simplify confirming items are being taxed properly based on the correct classification. As you and others have pointed it out it as per ebay EIS is not intended for B to B transactions. Many buyers that buy online are businesses. They shouldn't be penalized because eBay does not know how document anything officially from a buyers or even a sellers perspective. (Similar to choosing not to include a receipt for shipping labels.)

-Lotz

marnotom! · ‎07-18-2023

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
Would nice to see it all documented. Standard procedure with CP or couriers. Would simplify confirming items are being taxed properly based on the correct classification. As you and others have pointed it out it as per ebay EIS is not intended for B to B transactions. Many buyers that buy online are businesses. They shouldn't be penalized because eBay does not know how document anything officially from a buyers or even a sellers perspective. (Similar to choosing not to include a receipt for shipping labels.)

Won't likely happen as long as this is part of eIS's terms and conditions for buyers, @lotzofuniquegoodies:

byto253 · ‎07-18-2023

And all this GSP and its replacment stuff is why I mainly look for folks that actually ship directly with USPS, or have it sent to a holding facility across the border for me to pick up.

My eBay buying from the US has pretty well gone to nada since GPS, etc. came in. I buy from overseas or directly from US websites that understand how to ship at a reasonable rate.

reallynicestamps · ‎07-18-2023

eBay International Standard is actually more a way of offering discounted international postage to US sellers.

Yes.

Once again, eIS like GSP, is a Seller Protection program, which also encourages international shipping.

The first is good for Sellers, the second for eBay.

Buyers are not really part of the story.

I've seen a few listings where buyers can choose between it and other shipping methods the seller offers.

That's an improvement over GSP.

marnotom! · ‎07-18-2023

@reallynicestamps wrote:

eBay International Standard is actually more a way of offering discounted international postage to US sellers.

Yes.
Once again, eIS like GSP, is a Seller Protection program, which also encourages international shipping.
The first is good for Sellers, the second for eBay.
Buyers are not really part of the story.

eBay International Standard Delivery, however, is not a seller protection program in the same sense as eBay International Shipping or the GSP. For example, many sellers who have used it are shocked to find out that, unlike eBay International Shipping, the maximum indemnity on their items is US$100.

@reallynicestamps wrote:

I've seen a few listings where buyers can choose between it and other shipping methods the seller offers.

That's an improvement over GSP.

But a short-lived one as eBay International Standard Delivery will likely be no more by autumm.