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.

[kimmo3366]

Hi There,

I'm definitely not a fan of the global shipping program.

I feel that I have missed out on several items I would have liked to purchase because of the GSP. I feel that we are charged more money than what regular delivery service and Canada customs fees would actually come out to. It's awful and what is suppose to be a deal isn't a deal anymore especially with the GSP. Sometimes we are not even charged Canada Customs on certain items that are under a certain amount but we would still get charged if we purchased an item when the seller is using the GSP. Sometimes, I find that sellers are unaware that they posted with it as well!

It's awful and I really don't like it. If an item has not SOLD and I am interested in it, I will usually send the seller a message to relist without using the GSP. 

Not a fan of this progam!

Thanks,

Kim

[marnotom!]

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@kimmo3366 wrote:

Sometimes we are not even charged Canada Customs on certain items that are under a certain amount but we would still get charged if we purchased an item when the seller is using the GSP. Sometimes, I find that sellers are unaware that they posted with it as well!

---

Since the Global Shipping Program isn't smart enough to read a listing and figure out if duty applies to it in addition to taxes, it relies on the seller entering this information into the listing and listing it in the correct category.

Sellers who aren't aware that they've got the GSP applied to their listings likely won't do this.  Sellers who are aware that they're using the GSP don't always do this, either.

The accuracy of the assessment of taxes and duty on an item listed with the GSP is only as good as the information the seller provides.  However, there have been posts in the past about items with import charges that seem to reflect inaccurate tax/duty applications because the eBay category the item is listed in is--while accurate--too broad to deal with certain exceptions.

[laurier1212]

I have just had a very negative experience with the inappropriately named "Global" shipping. I have generally avoided purchasing items that have this shipping option due to the mercenary pricing. I gave in, purchased an item, followed the tracking documentation (very clear) through to the border, into Canada, and, in theory, to my house.  However, the item never arrived. 

I contacted Canada Post, they issued me a "ticket" so that they could open an investigation, and instructed me to contact Ebay.  I tried to do that and was told I needed to contact the seller - we had already been in touch and she was very helpful and obviously upset that I hadn't received the item - then Ebay picked up the ball when she prompted them.  My request was simple and clear - for them to contact Canada Post with the investigation ticket and facilitate a resolution since the item had been shipped "globally". 

Ebay send me a speedy reply telling me they had "investigated thoroughly"  and that they were finding in the seller's favour and I would receive no refund.  Sigh.  I had asked for the item to be tracked town, had indicated that I "knew" this wasn't the seller's fault, and that Canada Post needed to  hear from "THEM" because that is where the item originated.  I replied to Ebay again and explained this, and have encountered radio silence.

I phoned Canada Post again (I think this is their responsibility ultimately because they claim the item was "delivered" - but was left at my house without signature and vanished - I'm on a busy street and common sense would tell someone to leave a signature form for pickup, right??).  Sorry, they say, unless Ebay contacts them, their policy says they can do nothing further (and kept trying to tell me that someone accepted the item... the house was empty... the dog is incapable of answering the door... ??!).

I reviewed EBay's global shipping policy - "signature" can only be requested by the seller to the point of receipt by the Ebay shipping centre... once it crosses a border, and this "pitney bowes" takes over, apparently there is no further responsibility.  So what is the point of saying you provide "global" service and then refusing to facilitate a discussion with the other country's postal service when something goes sideways?

Annoyed in Canada......

[marnotom!]

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@laurier1212 wrote:

I have just had a very negative experience with the inappropriately named "Global" shipping. I have generally avoided purchasing items that have this shipping option due to the mercenary pricing. I gave in, purchased an item, followed the tracking documentation (very clear) through to the border, into Canada, and, in theory, to my house.  However, the item never arrived. 

I contacted Canada Post, they issued me a "ticket" so that they could open an investigation, and instructed me to contact Ebay.  I tried to do that and was told I needed to contact the seller - we had already been in touch and she was very helpful and obviously upset that I hadn't received the item - then Ebay picked up the ball when she prompted them.  My request was simple and clear - for them to contact Canada Post with the investigation ticket and facilitate a resolution since the item had been shipped "globally". 

Ebay send me a speedy reply telling me they had "investigated thoroughly"  and that they were finding in the seller's favour and I would receive no refund.  Sigh.  I had asked for the item to be tracked town, had indicated that I "knew" this wasn't the seller's fault, and that Canada Post needed to  hear from "THEM" because that is where the item originated.  I replied to Ebay again and explained this, and have encountered radio silence.

I phoned Canada Post again (I think this is their responsibility ultimately because they claim the item was "delivered" - but was left at my house without signature and vanished - I'm on a busy street and common sense would tell someone to leave a signature form for pickup, right??).  Sorry, they say, unless Ebay contacts them, their policy says they can do nothing further (and kept trying to tell me that someone accepted the item... the house was empty... the dog is incapable of answering the door... ??!).

I reviewed EBay's global shipping policy - "signature" can only be requested by the seller to the point of receipt by the Ebay shipping centre... once it crosses a border, and this "pitney bowes" takes over, apparently there is no further responsibility.  So what is the point of saying you provide "global" service and then refusing to facilitate a discussion with the other country's postal service when something goes sideways?

Annoyed in Canada......

---

Most of us are in Canada on this board.  🙂

Does Canada Post's tracking information indicate that a signature was required and obtained for the item?  Not all items shipped as parcels through Canada Post require signatures.  I've had good-sized packages left on my doorstep every so often rather than a pick-up card.  And I've had very small packages that I've had to pick up at my postal outlet because they do require a signature.

As you suggest, this is more an issue with Canada Post rather than the Global Shipping Program/Pitney Bowes/eBay.  From what you're describing, there's satisfactory on-line viewable evidence that the item was delivered, so that's why eBay isn't terribly interested in dealing further with this.  At any point in your dealings with eBay did you speak to a "Global Shipping Specialist" or were you just dealing with regular eBay customer service reps?  I'm not sure if this would have made a difference to the outcome of your case, but at least it might have put it on the radar of someone at PitneyBowes.

If you used a credit card through PayPal to make your payment for the item and associated charges, consider calling the card issuer to dispute the charge for merchandise purchased but not received.  This is commonly referred to as a "chargeback".

[backspardan]

I recently made a purchase using the global shipping program. I did not receive a shipping notification so sent seven emails over a three week period  to the seller requesting one. He finally sent me a message stating the item I was waiting for was oversized and would not be shipped by the global shipping program and refunded my money.  I believe this was fraudulent in the fact that he accepted my payment and we had a contract. Spent 2.5 hours on the phone to Ebay resolution center and could get no satisfaction. Be aware when Ebay tells you that they can not  process a claim because Paypal already started one, even when you had not had not started one,  that this is a ploy to get rid of you. Ebay seems to think that it  is the buyers responsibility to to know what qualifies for the global shipping program even when the seller advertise that it qualifies. This all adds up to false advertising. Lucky I paid thru Paypal as Ebay said they would not pay the import charges.I had to file a claim thru Paypal and still  waiting to see if I can get my money thru them. Buyers beware. 

[00nevermind00]

Instead of sending seven messages to the seller (seriously?) you should have read up on the Global Shipping Program. The seller's job is to send the item to a distribution center in Kentucky and to make sure it arrives there in good condition. That's it, that's all. He can't help you about anything else

The seller didn't decide that the item was oversized, Pitney Bowes (who run the GSP) did. One of the program's many, many  flaws is that eBay doesn't feel it necessary to prevent sellers from listing items with the GSP when they can't be shipped with the GSP. You're hardly the first buyer to experience this kind of frustration. But please don't take it out on the seller. Find Pitney Bowes' Facebook page and tell them about your "customer experience". Or let eBay know how you feel. Not that they care, mind you. They have made it abundantly clear that buyer experience counts for nothing with the GSP.

[arlene_v]

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@backspardan wrote:

 Spent 2.5 hours on the phone to Ebay resolution center and could get no satisfaction. Be aware when Ebay tells you that they can not  process a claim because Paypal already started one, even when you had not had not started one,  that this is a ploy to get rid of you. Ebay seems to think that it  is the buyers responsibility to to know what qualifies for the global shipping program even when the seller advertise that it qualifies. This all adds up to false advertising. Lucky I paid thru Paypal as Ebay said they would not pay the import charges.I had to file a claim thru Paypal and still  waiting to see if I can get my money thru them. Buyers beware. 

---

Hmmmm, this is not good news. I am in a similar position because the seller I bought my item from via the GSP alerted me to a glitch showing up in the tracking indicating PB is not going to ship the item to me. (I bought a medium sized oven for use on a counter top, not a range oven)

My seller  is as baffled as I am about this. We are both waiting to see what happens next. No word just the tracking info so far.

What bothers me about what you report here is that you weren't automatically refunded in full. That you had to chase eBay/PB to get a refund, this is not what I thought I would have to do, and as I have not heard a word from PB or eBay about this and it has been almost two weeks now since the alert that the item is not going to be shipped I am beginning to wonder if I am going to have to do the same thing to get my refund. What a pain.

Sigh.

I intensely dislike the GSP but will hold my nose and buy if  the deal is worth it on the very odd occasion, but this time I think I am done.

[laurier1212]

HI

I contacted customer service because that is what the seller was told I needed to do.  I was very specific about my request and should not customer service then actually "serve" the customer and facilitate  or connect me with global shipping?  I tried to find global shipping contact info on the ebay website to no avail - there is a single avenue for customer service.  What a runaround...

[arlene_v]

I agree with you I couldn't find any info either about who to contact re GSP items specifically so I just used the customer service number and hoped for the best.

I was put on hold for about 20 minutes because the rep wasn't sure what to do. I gather she spoke to a supervisor.

Well, she told me that I would get a full refund, either  100% from  PB (if they keep the oven) OR  the refund would be issued by the seller AND PB jointly  if the oven is returned to the seller ....?

I was assured by the Rep that I'd be hearing back from Pitney Bowes via my eBay messages within 48 hours.

After I finished talking to the rep I noticed that a case has been opened on my behalf and that the seller has been told to issue a refund. I've received an email telling me not to contact the seller and that eBay is handling this.

I hope this is going to work out because it amounts to $90 US in total.  I feel rather badly for the seller and hope she isn't too freaked out.

[marnotom!]

My understanding from other posts is that once you're successful in contacting a living, breathing customer service rep on the phone, you should be asking to be put through to a Global Shipping Specialist.

Why these discussion boards are the only place to find this information is beyond me.

[sutherland1023]

I'm sick to Death of Ebay, and these last experiences with Ebay are the final straw. 1) at time of placing a bid, the shipping costs were $12.00 on a beat up pair of $9.00 Binoculars, Then at the final sale, as no other bidders, Bid, the shipping fee's went to $40.00. I sent the seller an email and heard nothing back. Already knowing I couldn't win and as the Bino's were cheap I just paid rather than get bad feedback, and frustrated, but the prices kept changing.

    2) I purchased 1 item from a seller and then a second to be shipped together, but 4 of each appeared on my bill and I have an extra $19.00 charge on my bill, even though only one of each item arrived together in same envelope, charge refers to nothing.

     3) Bills keep changing, as you catch them out, while complaining so it's hard to correct anything as they have already changed it, so print off everything, as they cannot be trusted, to correct error overnight.

     4) $40.00 charge for $9.00 item, shipping cost on Box 11.75, Taxes and Duty $0.00 exempt due to being low value antiques, and no Brokerage fee's shown on Box to clear customs either, as USPS to Canada post is a free exchange. We have to pay these ridiculous charges, but what do we get for our money, they claim a money back Grantee, but then if you get an **bleep**hole dealer demanding their item back,  the junk they sent becomes expensive, your out A minimum $20 to send it back. So what service to we get out of this. You cannot charge a fee for a service, if none is ever intended to be provided.

    5) Where does the money go?   I have never paid Taxes to the Canadian Gov on anything I've purchased, no brokerage on postal service exchanges, and Taxes again rarely paid or even applicable. Our MP's Don't want to get involved but now would be a good time to force them to get involved, as we are being lightened of a lot of money, our Government should have not Pitney Bowes.

Ian Sutherland. 

[sutherland1023]

I forgot to mention,

                                     I am retired and so have lots of time to go to as many MP's as possible and demand that Canada actually gets it's money back, it's nothing less than theft, and you've finally driven me off ebay. I'm ordering from dealers now direct. A bit more expensive sometimes, but I smile everytime I think about not using your stinking service.

       Shame you use to be good, the competition will be coming, with blood in the water, someone will come along, I hope you loose.

[femmefan1946]

1) at time of placing a bid, the shipping costs were $12.00 on a beat up pair of $9.00 Binoculars, Then at the final sale,... the shipping fee's went to $40.00.

There are two shipping fees when the GSP is in play.

The first is the seller's fee for shipping. That may be what the $12 was-- Confirmed Delivery of a parcel to the GSP plant in Kentucky.

The second is import fees. That's made up of Canadian duty (none on used items) Canadian sales taxes (which vary depending on your province) and a service fee of ~$5USD.

... as the Bino's were cheap I just paid rather than get bad feedback, and frustrated, but the prices kept changing.

Buyers cannot get bad feedback. Sellers can only leave positive feedback or no feedback.

A non-paying bidder can get an Unpaid Item Strike. These are not publicly visible, but since most sellers have an automatic Block against bidders with Strikes, they are actually much more effective.

I purchased 1 item from a seller and then a second to be shipped together, but 4 of each appeared on my bill and I have an extra $19.00 charge on my bill, even though only one of each item arrived together in same envelope, charge refers to nothing.

Contact the seller first and ask about the double charges. This is one case where you should not pay until the situation is corrected.

It is possible that you clicked the BUY button twice instead of once. The seller can easily cancel the incorrect purchases.

If this is still a GSP question, one of the really dumb things about the GSP is that the seller cannot combine charges for two items onto one invoice, even if she is going to ship in one envelope.

The geniuses who set up the program overlooked the possibility that the buyer may make multiple purchases from a favoured seller.

If the GSP is involved you are going to have to call eBay Customer Service and ask for a GSP specialist to get it straightened out. The seller did not get that extra charge and is basically innocent of any wrongdoing , except using the GSP in the first place.

as USPS to Canada post is a free exchange.

Well, no.

If you are referring to NAFTA, that only relates to duty on new items manufactured in the NAFTA signatory countries.

Sales tax is still payable on any item valued over $15USD ($20CDN).

CSDA has an informal policy of not assessing items for import fees when the cost of assessment will be lower than the fees collected. This seems to be around $100 but again it's informal.

Couriers like GSP/Pitney Bowes, UPS , FedEx have to obey the letter of the law. And of those GSP has the lowest service fee at ~$5 USD. UPS starts around $25.

your out A minimum $20 to send it back.

One of the few good things about GSP is that should an item be delivered damaged or Not As Described, GSP will refund the buyer and does not demand the return of the item.

This has come up because all too often the damage happened because of careless handling by the GSP, but at least there is no need to return the trash.

I have never paid Taxes to the Canadian Gov on anything I've purchased, no brokerage on postal service exchanges, and Taxes again rarely paid or even applicable.

That's common. But see what I said above about an informal policy.

CSDA has an informal policy of not assessing items for import fees when the cost of assessment will be lower than the fees collected. This seems to be around $100 but again it's informal.

It is not unusual for a foreign company, either a retailer like LL Bean or a courier like FedEx or GSP/PB to be sub-contracted by Canada to assess, collect and remit Canadian duty and taxes.  Unless you often buy from a US retailer like Bean, you probably haven't seen it. Or you didn't really process what you were seeing on the invoice.

The couriers will charge Canadian import fees from the US office to the buyer as part of the shipping charge for their Priority/Express/SuperDuperFast services.

Otherwise, the man in brown will hold your parcel hostage on your doorstep until you pay up.

[femmefan1946]

These binoculars?

WW2 Bausch & Lomb U S Navy Shipboard Binoculars with Case (#171928316694)

You paid $29.95 USD for them (~$39.00CDN) not $9.00 USD. The maximum we can import without import fees is $20CDN (~$15USD).

And I think, B&L are German manufacturers, so if they were new, and not used, they would be subject to duty.

[epp216]

What an absurd program. While it may eliminate one step for sellers, this does not benefit buyers what so ever.

The charges levied are outlandish! Where are they coming up with these prices? I've order items from Japan and the most I've Paid was 40cad and for less items coming from GB with import and shippong they want 80 cad? Where are these numbers coming from? It's insane!

I understand they charge the import so you're not charged at the door. Over my almost 10 years on ebay, I can count maybe two or three times I've had to pay fees on packages when theyve arrived.

It is oblivious that this is a money grab, and has drastically reduce mine and others purchasing on ebay. Shame on ebay for ruining a perfectly good market.

[femmefan1946]

Yep. It's a money grab .

But since all Pitney Bowes gets is the ~$5 service charge who is doing the grabbing?

The duty and sales taxes go to the Canadian government.

If the Harper Government had changed the maximum free imports to $200 by post as they did for cross border shoppers years ago, there would not be this problem.

Items valued under $200 CDN (~$140USD) would not be assessed for duty, for sales tax, and no PB service fee.

Voting day is October 19th.

[dmil8030]

<<I'm sick to Death of Ebay, and these last experiences with Ebay are the final straw.>>

Hello 'sutherland1023',

I can certainly empathize with your frustration, although it seems to me the problems you are having may

be rooted in having bought GSP items.  You would likely have a far better expience of ebay if you took the

necessary steps to avoid those listings.

When you said, <<at time of placing a bid, the shipping costs were $12.00 ...  Then at the final sale ..., the shipping fees

went to $40.00.>>,  it sounds like you were bidding on the item whilst using the American ebay.com site.  

Not all ebays are alike.  Well, of course ebay is all one colossal humongous company, but you will see some

things differently if you are not using the Canadian version.  And one thing the Canadian version will show you

is the outrageous GSP fee on all those otherwise low-cost  items.

So, -- when shopping on ebay, make sure you see that little Canadian Flag at the top of the page.  If you do not

see it, log out of wherever you are and log back in to www.ebay.ca.   That way you will be able to notice and

thus ignore GSP listings.  They're the ones that have in pale grey writing:

Customs services and international tracking provided

For all the problems that result from those listings, not to mention needless expense, that single line is your 

clue to move on to another seller.  No matter how desperately you want the item, purchasing from a GSP listing

will invariably have you worked into a lather before the thing even arrives.

You can have a wonderful time on ebay and get lots of fun goodies for you collections if you avoid the GSP,

and the easiest way to do that is use ebay Canada.

<< I have never paid Taxes to the Canadian Gov on anything I've purchased>>

On smaller items (under $20 cdn) you wouldn't, - but there is always the possibility.  Consider yourself lucky,

most people who do much online buying (from international sellers) get charged from time to time.

If you buy from a GSP listing, you will get charged every time.  

Just do what you can to help yourself.  The best way to help yourself using ebay is identify your own needs,  in your

case the trouble is those charges, and conduct yourself accordingly, -- shop only on www.ebay.ca, do not even

look at GSP listings, and always use a 'real' computer and not some swanky hand-held device.

Those things are loads of fun, but you will miss too much vital information if you do your shopping that way.

Don't look to someone else to mind your money for you.  You can get lots of bargains and have fun doing it,

just be pragmatic and prudent about it.

I wish you joy of your new items. 

[dmil8030]

Hello 'epp216',

<<What an absurd program. ... this does not benefit buyers what so ever..>>

It's not supposed to.  It was implemented to benefit Americans, -- ebay and Pitney-Bowes are both American

companies and together this program will benefit not only American sellers but all Americans.

Its sole purpose, as I see it, is simply to funnel more of the worlds money into the American economy.

For now, however, as long as there remains a Canadian ebay, we can do our utmost to avoid those listings.

By law, the GSP has to tack on the charges for anything over $20 Cdn.  

Me, I prefer to take my chances with items sent through the postal system because it is rare that I am charged.  

When I am, I cheerfully pay it.  It's the cost of being Canadian. 

<< and has drastically reduce mine and others purchasing on ebay.>>

Oh, I hear ya, I hear ya.  So much of the ire could be eliminated if only ebay would offer a Search Settings option

to include /exclude GSP listings.  Well, of course we'd all click to avoid them, wouldn't we, but I'm sure that you and I

are not the only buyers who find the whole search & sift  thing to be too much of a pain.  As someone else so aptly

stated a few weeks back, those GSP listings clutter up the search.

<<Shame on ebay for ruining a perfectly good market.>>

The thing is, it's been good for the US.  And that's who matters, now, isn't it.  

[arlene_v]

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

Yep. It's a money grab .

But since all Pitney Bowes gets is the ~$5 service charge who is doing the grabbing?

The duty and sales taxes go to the Canadian government.

If the Harper Government had changed the maximum free imports to $200 by post as they did for cross border shoppers years ago, there would not be this problem.

Items valued under $200 CDN (~$140USD) would not be assessed for duty, for sales tax, and no PB service fee.

Voting day is October 19th.

---

I'm really not so sure that ALL of the money goes to the Canadian Government though. PB would have to be pretty foolish not to do a quick "recalculation" for items that are exempt from duty  when they open items in KY.

Under the program buyers aren't entitled to a refund of overpayment and PB has no legal requirement to remit something that isn't owed when the correct info is presented.

LOL, am I cynical to think that sellers using this program are kept in what appears to be intentional ignorance ...the less info they provide in listings the more onerous the financial cost to buyers and the more likely the program will overcharge.

Quick recalculations in KY must result in quite a bit of "savings"   ....so  does our Govt see a cent more than what is absolutely strictly  "legally" due? I wonder how  efficient PB's  brokers are?

Hmmmm ..... oh well don't want to get sued! so best I say this is just idle  speculation of course. Grin.

Femme I am curious - which of the parties has promised to revisit the personal import limit? This might decide my vote!!! Joking.

[pierrelebel]

"which of the parties has promised to revisit the personal import limit? "

None