Comments about the Global Shipping Program

[kalvin@ebay.com]

Feel free to share your thoughts about the Global Shipping Program here. 

A few questions to get the ball rolling:

• What has worked well for you with the Global Shipping Program?
• Any ideas to help improve the experience for Canadian buyers?
• What has deterred you from buying items offered using the Global Shipping Program?
• How have you managed to search for items outside the program?

Please try & keep the comments constructive 🙂

If you have any questions about the program, please post them here.

[mwc1942]

"I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool rabid free enterpriser by any means, but I feel that at some point you've got to let the somewhat-regulated market work its magic on companies that aren't doing their jobs."

 Why, if companies are not doing their job, they should disappear .. like magic.  Same goes for the GSP.

[kxeron]

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@marnotom! wrote:

No, but given enough rope, PBI would likely hang itself. All these refunds for fouled-up shipments can't be costing the company absolutely nothing.

I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool rabid free enterpriser by any means, but I feel that at some point you've got to let the somewhat-regulated market work its magic on companies that aren't doing their jobs.

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"Free Market" doesn't work when the offender has billions of dollars to make anything happen and where they have alternate business to make incidents like GSP failures a drop in the bucket.

"Free Market" doesn't work when the offender (eBay) has a broad largely unquestioned public trust through a brand name. eBay and PBI are well known brands in their industries where their logos peppers various advertising platforms, newspapers, magazines and whatnot. People can and will trust anything and everything quoted by eBay. eBay has a marketing team and they know how to prey upon people legally as to provide only the good information about the GSP.

"Free Market" doesn't work when the big-name offender (both eBay and PBI) has pervasive contracts that make it hard for any user of their service to challenge that service's operation. The eBay main terms are designed to wash eBay and all of its business associates' hands should any issues arrise.

"Free Market" doesn't work when the offender (eBay) has control over largely the sole channel of communication with others and will censor issues that arrise citing policy. eBay routinely removes bad feedback that cites the GSP as a poor shipping method. Feedback is often the only thing that will grab many sellers' attention on eBay's website.

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 But the soda, sandwich and chips are sold and regarded as separate items.

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Legally, so are taxes, duty and fees as per legal statute, but PBI/eBay have taken reality and twisted it to work the way they want it to work. They want to cherry pick law and only implement the kind that removes their liability which means they don't directly charge for taxes and duty to avoid being audited. We had this conversation before.

I understand you're trying to come at the ongoing GSP conflict from a "How does it work from an eBay perspective" but I'm looking at this from outside in, all I see is a completely arbitrary, whimsical, wanton process with a gross amount of lack of accountability.  All I see is "black boxes" that if they existed as physical objects the bomb squad would have been called on them.

There is truly zero accountability with the GSP, Zero. Nada. Zilch. eBay has shielded sellers to avoid the programme being questioned by the salespeople of the GSP, this includes removal of negative feedback as a result of the GSP, this includes keeping sellers in the dark about what they're effectively charging buyers. This includes making practically every bit of critical information optional. The GSP works only because sellers as a group will trust eBay's hallowed word.

[vcabbott]

Just got the old system restriction undeliverable b.s. So I'm not getting my guitar now? Never buy if it's coming through global shipping program, too expensive and takes way longer IF IT EVEN ARRIVES!!!!

[chimera148]

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@vcabbott wrote:
Just got the old system restriction undeliverable b.s. So I'm not getting my guitar now? Never buy if it's coming through global shipping program, too expensive and takes way longer IF IT EVEN ARRIVES!!!!

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There seems to be a quite a few problems shipping guitars lately.

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Packaging-Shipping/All-Global-Shipping-Program-packages-are-going-undel...

http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Buying-on-eBay/about-6-washburn-guitars-weren-t-allowed-to-cross-US-CA-b... 

[chimera148]

Sorry about the bad link.

Hope this one works.

Quite a waste of time trying to buy, unfortunately.

http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Buying-on-eBay/about-6-washburn-guitars-weren-t-allowed-to-cross-US-CA-b... 

[00nevermind00]

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@vcabbott wrote:
Just got the old system restriction undeliverable b.s. So I'm not getting my guitar now? Never buy if it's coming through global shipping program, too expensive and takes way longer IF IT EVEN ARRIVES!!!!

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Another "satisfied" customer!

This has to stop! If an item can't be shipped with GSP, then it shouldn't be possible to list it with GSP.  Period.

To answer your question, no you won't be getting your guitar. You'll get a full refund instead of the item you wanted, searched for, found and purchased. If you go over to the ebay.com discussion boards, you'll see a lot of similar complaints.

[hushstar]

Import Duty IS NOT being confused with Import Sales Tax as some would assume.  In the case of the health food and telescope the only tax payable on items shipped from US to Canada (AB) would be the 5% GST - that is ALL.  No other Taxes, No other Duty, No other Import charges apply that information is provided directly from Canada Customs.  Further, I contacted the seller of the health food oil, send them a screen-clip showing that the Global Shipping Import charges a WHOOPING $90 on a $30 purchase item.  They were somewhat surprised that their item had been listed with the Global Shipping Program and responded by removing the item from the Global Shipping Program.  I then bid on the item (buy it now) and they then mailed the item to me (USPS) for a total shipping, duty, taxes, etc. fee of about $5.  Imagine, the Global Shipping Program was opt to charge a $90 Import Fee for an with an actual $5 import charge.  What a scam.  Would seem there is a bet going on with folks employed in the Global Shipping Program to see who can buy the most yachts is the shortest amount of time (LOL).

The Global Shipping Program Import Charges are simply RIDICULOUS as demonstrated repeatedly based reading many related posts on this forum.  Indeed the Global Shipping Program team are an aloof bunch who address all inquiries via email cleverly avoiding any direct phone contact with loyal ebay members.  In fact the Global Shipping Program customer support services are in stark contrast and hugely disappointing in comparison to stellar ebay customer support whom I've always found very helpful and capable.  The one response I did receive from the Global Shipping Program when I inquired about their unusually high import duty fees, was a generic cut-and-paste carefully word-smith reply that failed to answer the question.  I would suggest that in principle the Global Shipping Program is a great concept but is being poorly implemented the top manager(s) should be fired replaced by those more capable of delivering ebays classic well earned qualify service and support.

[marnotom!]

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@hushstar wrote:

Import Duty IS NOT being confused with Import Sales Tax as some would assume.  In the case of the health food and telescope the only tax payable on items shipped from US to Canada (AB) would be the 5% GST - that is ALL.  No other Taxes, No other Duty, No other Import charges apply that information is provided directly from Canada Customs.

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Duty may be calculated on an item that would be otherwise not subject to duty if the seller incorrectly categorizes the item on eBay, as the "GSP bot" calculates duty based on the item's category.

Duty may also be incorrectly calculated on an item manufactured in a free trade zone if the seller doesn't specify the item's country of manufacture in the "Item Specifics" section of the listing.  (Although it might do anyway due to an eBay glitch.)

Buying from sellers who don't realize that they're opted into the GSP is an excellent way to get hit with unnecessary GSP charges as they've likely not followed the program rules for setting up their listings.

[dee_doo]

By Canadian law, they do cannot charge import taxes on an item less than $20, but Pitney Bowes sometimes does...  And i'm quite certain the government never see the color of that money...

[dee_doo]

When i mention that to some GSP sellers they just say they don't care if they lose buyers from Canada, i guess some people make too much money now.

[afantiques]

And i'm quite certain the government never see the color of that money..

.You have faith, but do you have knowledge?

By Canadian law, they do cannot charge import taxes on an item less than $20, but Pitney Bowes sometimes does

Could you post a few examples. What the sailor said is not evidence.

[porkos123]

recently bought a guitar thought the new global shipping pogram and the item was cancelled by the shipping copany handleing this . were as i would have received the item if it was shipped by regular mail with no issues what the **bleep** is the problem with this ,i also bought a product that should have been sent regular mail and was informed that it was sent back because i was not around when the so called (CAMPAR) delivered the item and got sent back to the destination it was sent from . get rid of the pogram because it sucks and i wont purchase any items with this pogram in affect and i see there is a lot of sellers are staying with the regular shipping pollices that were put into effect when this site started . No wonder they are loosing sellers and buyers . Hope u go bankrupt soon

[reallynicestamps]

First, paragraphs are your friends.

I suspect the guitar was refused by the GPS (PitneyBowes) because it was too large for them to handle. To keep their costs down they do not handle very bulky items.

File an "Item Not Recieved" claim with eBay/Paypal for a full refund of your payment.

Contact your seller and ask that it be re-sent by USPS First Class International, which is a Delivery Confirmed service. Politely let him know that his guitars are too big for the GPS. This will save him a lot of trouble in future.

Usually we counsel buyers not to penalize sellers for GSP errors, but the seller should have ascertained that his product fit within the guidelines before blindly using it.

For the second item, the seller is at fault. He promised to send by USPS/Canada Post and switched to CANPAR, which would cost the buyer more on his doorstep, because couriers charge duty/sales tax/ substantial service fee before they will hand over the parcel. CANPAR  should have left a notice of delivery for you, and apparently did not.

Again file an Item Not Received dispute if the seller does not refund you full payment promptly. Do allow time for the parcel to be returned to the seller, about 10 days from the 'attempted' delivery.

The principle is that neither the seller nor the buyer should have both the money and the item.

[marnotom!]

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@dee_doo wrote:

By Canadian law, they do cannot charge import taxes on an item less than $20, but Pitney Bowes sometimes does...  And i'm quite certain the government never see the color of that money...

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Remember, that amount is twenty bucks Canadian, not twenty bucks U.S.

And there are some items that don't qualify for the $20 exemption.  Books, for example.

[00nevermind00]

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@marnotom! wrote:

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And there are some items that don't qualify for the $20 exemption.  Books, for example.

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Not that I'd ever do this, but if I were to buy a $1 book with GSP, would they really charge me the 5¢ tax which I would normally owe???

[marnotom!]

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@00nevermind00 wrote:

Not that I'd ever do this, but if I were to buy a $1 book with GSP, would they really charge me the 5¢ tax which I would normally owe???

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How would anybody know?  Remember that for an item of that value, the "import charges" would be folded into the shipping charges.  😉

[chimera148]

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@porkos123 wrote:

recently bought a guitar thought the new global shipping pogram and the item was cancelled by the shipping copany handleing this . were as i would have received the item if it was shipped by regular mail with no issues what the **bleep** is the problem with this .....

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Maybe the guitar contained restricted wood.

[pjcdn2005]

I suspect the guitar was refused by the GPS (PitneyBowes) because it was too large for them to handle. To keep their costs down they do not handle very bulky items.

File an "Item Not Recieved" claim with eBay/Paypal for a full refund of your payment.

Contact your seller and ask that it be re-sent by USPS First Class International, which is a Delivery Confirmed service.

Unfortunately, the seller is unlikely to receive the guitar back. PB pays out the buyer and then has someone else sell the item for them. 

In the case of the second item, Canpar is often used for gsp delivery. The seller doesn't have any control over that.

[rickkins]

Consider this a heads up. Canadians are outraged at this Global Shipping Program forced upon ebay users for US purchases. I join a growing list absolutely refusing to make any purchase using this system. Suggest you guys get on the freakin ball and fix this quick.

Here's a sample of the disgust...
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/ebay-global-shipping-program-you-victim-1448357/

[proxyx99]

Few thoughts:

It is up to Canadian Gov. to collect what they feel is owed. If they want to collect on every item they have a capability and resources to do so. If they choose not to collect on every item it is their own prerogative to act or fail to act accordingly. Not Ebay's business.

Ebay cannot hide behind a notion that it's in public interest collecting what is owed. It is solely Canadian business, not Ebay's.

Canadian authorities handle internal Canadian business and Ebay has no authority to dress up Canadian affairs and try to sell them as good public service. They are after your money, only! and do it in order to improve their boootm line.

Let's not mix things up. This is a private undertaking between Ebay - still a private (shareholders) entity and Pitney-Bowes to act in a fashion that appears to American sellers as almost an arm of Canadian Govt/Customs etc. It is clear to me that Ebay will pay dearly for this mistake, one way or another. I already stopped buying from US GSP participants, and fully enjoy buying from Hong Kong, Canada. They want to collect 50$ in shipping/taxes/customs/brokerage services on a 20$ transaction? Godspeed. It will be the end of Ebay. Maybe it's time for that as they have lost regard for their base, members and users.

It is a joke that still after over a year of discussion Ebay is deaf to popular opinion. If their wallet get's thinner they'll listen, until that happens they will use already allocated funds to push GSP no matter what. This forum is just an outlet to let people vent while Ebay keeps on pushing their agenda with Pitney-Bowes, a company that before this program was implemented was firing employes left and right in last effort to stay afloat. Look at their stock and what happened in 2013 since GSP. They must have pitched to Ebay a "new, innovative" way to scam Ebayers and Ebay bough it. If Ebay suffers severely they will abandon the scam. Is it a scam? yes, tons of voices with evidence here. Who benefits from it? Canadians ? Canadian Govt? or is it Ebay-Pitney.Bowes combo? The money goes straight to their wallets, majority of it, peanuts eventually will find their way back to Canada.