eBay

kalvin@ebay.com · ‎09-26-2013

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.

~Kalvin
eBay.ca Community Manager

kalvin@ebay.com

nameknael · ‎12-23-2015

In my experience, a signature was not required. The item value was less than $10, and it was delivered by a Canada Post employee who scanned the package before he handed it to me.

marnotom! · ‎12-24-2015

@nameknael wrote:

An example of an item in a similar category is item 221969714432. I messaged the seller once to ask if he'd ship regular USPS and did not receive a reply. This is not typical of most eBay sellers so giving the benefit of the doubt due to the busy time of year, I have messaged him again explaining exactly why the GSP is objectionable to Canadian buyers. If he wants the protection of tracking, I'm fine paying for priority, as it gives me the protection of making sure my item gets to me.

This seller has been an eBay member for about thirteen years yet has a feedback score of less than 250. He's probably been on and off eBay in that time, hasn't been keeping up with developments on the site, has no idea what the GSP is and has been auto-opted into the program as a result.

One thing that's boosting the shipping price of the item besides the seller's $5.95 charge for shipping it to Kentucky is the fact that the customs processing charges are added to the shipping price as there's no taxes charged on it. Take those off and the GSP's share of the shipping price is about nine dollars (U.S.) and change.

@nameknael wrote:

Another negative effect of this system is that it is skewing US sellers' perspective on reasonable shipping costs to Canada. Because so many sellers use the GSP now, I have joined collector forums which offer classifieds sections looking to buy directly from sellers who also use eBay. When I enquire about shipping costs, I am often quoted fees that are similar to those with the GSP, which doesn't make sense even with the tracking because I am not paying for shipping from the seller to Erlanger and then from Erlanger to me. I suspect that the GSP is having the effect of "inflating" shipping costs in private sales, simply because eBay is such a ubiquitous marketplace.

I've been wondering about sellers' perceptions of international shipping costs, as well, but since I believe that many US sellers who use the GSP wouldn't be selling internationally without it, I've figured that most of them aren't doing much in the way of homework. When these sellers quote you a shipping rate, are they telling you what shipping method they're using? If you've got a pretty good idea of the item's size and weight, you can check their quote against the USPS website's rate calculator.

http://ircalc.usps.gov

Shipping by mail is getting pretty pricey now, and I suspect that in the next few years as the volume of letters sent internationally continues to plummet, First Class International rates won't be nearly the bargain they are compared to parcel post (Priority) and express (Global Express) mail. Check out this blurb on USPS's next round of international rate hikes here:

http://pe.usps.com/frn%20-%202016%20shipping%20services%20intl%20final%20rule.pdf

I suggest you remind sellers that First Class International does have a delivery confirmation feature for shipments to Canada (e-Delcon) so you're not paying for Priority International or carriers such as FedEx or UPS unnecessarily.

afantiques · ‎12-24-2015

<<Are signatures are required for delivery of GSP items >>

GSP items are not unique regarding signatures, so the answer to this is that it depends on how the item is delivered,

-- what shipping company is used. Most little items are handed off to Canada Post so no, it is unlikely you would have to

sign for an item sent that way. Couriers, however, always want a signature.

Then there is the point about whether or not the seller requests a signature. Items over $750 USD in value are required

to have signature confirmation for the seller's protection. A seller can, of course, request it for an item of lesser value:

GSP items in general are sent on the last leg delivery by the cheapest method available. This rarely if ever needs a signature. A seller has no control over this and is unable to get signature confirmation from the buyer, but they can get signature confirmation from the Ebay shipping depot, which is as far as they are responsible for the package. After it has entered the GSP system the GSP is responsible for safe delivery, and they seem to have made the sensible decision that the extra cost of signature on delivery is more than the cost of the occasional questionable report of non delivery. No doubt they have enough statistics on delivery results to justify the decision.

To the best of my knowledge, no poster on this board is in favour of the GSP. Some, including myself will point out that it can have its uses in certain circumstances. If anything less than rabid condemnation is considered support, then so be it.

Some things are repeated frequently because different posters ask the same question and in general get the correct answers. There are usually enough people reading threads to give short shrift to incorrect statements.

I can confirm that UK GSP deliveries fo not require signatures if delivered by the usual courier, Yodel. Results may differ for other carriers if used.

Locally, the usual practice is to leave the package with a neighbour with a card stating where it was left, if no one is at home. Again, this may be just a British practice.

afantiques · ‎12-24-2015

And just because many people keep repeating the same thing over and over doesn't necessarily make it right, either.

It does make sense that the correct answer is likely to be the one posted over and over. Many incorrect statements are frequently reposted, but usually by unique posters, all with the wrong information.

marnotom! · ‎12-24-2015

@afantiques wrote:

It does make sense that the correct answer is likely to be the one posted over and over. Many incorrect statements are frequently reposted, but usually by unique posters, all with the wrong information.

My wordsmithing was a bit wanting with that post, but you've distilled its intentions admirably as always, AF. Best of the season to you and yours.

afantiques · ‎12-25-2015

And to you, Colin.

femmefan1946 · ‎12-25-2015

If you've got a pretty good idea of the item's size and weight, you can check their quote against the USPS website's rate calculator.

http://ircalc.usps.gov

Shipping by mail is getting pretty pricey now, and I suspect that in the next few years as the volume of letters sent internationally continues to plummet, First Class International rates won't be nearly the bargain they are compared to parcel post (Priority) and express (Global Express) mail.

I did a little experiment and checked the price of a 450 gram item sent by First Class International Parcel from 90210 to V8R 5G8.

The online price was $10.58 USD

Allowing for exchange this was not bad compared to the ~$15CDN I got for a similar item going in the opposite direction.

The Priority Small Flat Rate Box by comparison was $20.85 USD

So one thing eBay needs to educate US sellers about is that Priority is NOT necessary for Canadian sales.

wenkara · ‎12-25-2015

Hi

i would like to thank the GSP program and I am one of the people who think the service worked well for me. I purchased a large sewing machine which the seller said she would not ship to Canada so I was going to arrange an alternative way to get the machine. The GSP program took over and said I could use this service which I gladly did. I had talked with another eBay seller and he said it would be a minimum of USD $150 to send the package to Canada plus I would be responsible for taxes and any import charges. Through the GSP system, the shipping and import and taxes were less than the USD $150. and it was all handled. The seller sent it to the centre in Kentucky and then it came to Canada and let me know where the package was and when it cleared customs. It arrived on my doorstep on Dec. 24 and no extra charges were asked for. They said it would be here between Dec. 21-30 and I thought it could be delayed due to Christmas but it wasn't. I had a couple of questions from eBay which were answered within 24 hours.

All in all I had a good experience and would use the service again. My item was quite expensive so it was worth it to me but I could see that items under a $100 might not be served by this program.

Just wanted to let people know that there was one happy camper.

Wendy

colinflyfisher · ‎12-26-2015

And to you Afan, And the best of luck with distillations of intentions, wanting wordsmithing and all such guff in 2016.

Simpler, use anything but the (in feedback) unmentionable GSP.

jeanleonfrancois · ‎12-26-2015

As a buyer there is no advantages only disadvantages. It is expensive, for example on around $40 I paid $20 (50%)for so called import duties which is much higher that the 16% I would pay at the door. The shipping was expensive because the item was light it could have been shipped in an envelope. As far as the follow-up goes I can go on line and see for myself at Canada Post where my item is located II don`t need Pitney Bowes.to send me useless emails.Also it takes much longer once it is shipped..Somebody is making a good profit on top of the import duties..

To keep it short, .I prefer to pay taxes at the door (usually for small amounts I don't) and to deal directly with the seller.I will avoid carefully all sellers who sell through this program. I have spent a lot of money at ebay those last 7 years I will go somewhere else if it is not appreciated.

marnotom! · ‎12-26-2015

@jeanleonfrancois wrote:

As a buyer there is no advantages only disadvantages. It is expensive, for example on around $40 I paid $20 (50%)for so called import duties which is much higher that the 16% I would pay at the door. . . .Somebody is making a good profit on top of the import duties..

For the record, the so-called "import duties" are not called that and make up much more than just duty. However, if you're paying a disproportionate amount in import charges on a GSP item, it's likely due to an omission or error in the information provided to PitneyBowes by the seller, perhaps a lack of information on the item's country of origin or a listing in an inappropriate eBay category.

marnotom! · ‎12-26-2015

@femmefan1946 wrote:

I did a little experiment and checked the price of a 450 gram item sent by First Class International Parcel from 90210 to V8R 5G8.

The online price was $10.58 USD

Allowing for exchange this was not bad compared to the ~$15CDN I got for a similar item going in the opposite direction.
The Priority Small Flat Rate Box by comparison was $20.85 USD

So one thing eBay needs to educate US sellers about is that Priority is NOT necessary for Canadian sales.

The kicker for small items like that is that Priority small flat rate boxes are handled as First Class Mail International items. All that extra money covers a fancy box.

Having said that, have a breeze through that USPS document to which I linked. USPS is announcing 10.2% average price increases for Priority International (amongst other changes to the service) and 21.6% average increases in First Class Package International Service along with an elimination of the "Cllck-N-Ship" discount.

00nevermind00 · ‎12-26-2015

However, if you're paying a disproportionate amount in import charges on a GSP item, it's likely due to an omission or error in the information provided to PitneyBowes by the seller, perhaps a lack of information on the item's country of origin or a listing in an inappropriate eBay category.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what the problem is: overcharges are never refunded with the GSP. Just one of the program's many problems for the buyers. If I am charged too much, I like to have the overpayment refunded. I can't be the only one.

Having said that, have a breeze through that USPS document to which I linked. USPS is announcing 10.2% average price increases for Priority International (amongst other changes to the service) and 21.6% average increases in First Class Package International Service along with an elimination of the "Cllck-N-Ship" discount.

I think that the USPS is running a huge deficit and has for years. They're probably trying to think of ways to stop the hemorrhaging. But even if the GSP becomes the cheapest service around, I still wouldn't buy anything that ships with it. Not until eBay/PB fix all of the many problems for the buyers: overcharges should be refunded, figuring how to get combined shipping should not be harder to crack than a state secret, the tracking should either track or stop being promised. And last but not least, in case of problems such as item not received, wrong item received, damaged item, etc. buyers should not have any trouble getting ALL of their money back. Whether the problem is due to the seller or PB is of no concern to the buyer, they should get all of their money back and let the seller and PB sort it out.

Until all of this happens, the GSP will not see a single penny of my money.

pjcdn2005 · ‎12-26-2015

It's not difficult to get the combined shipping discount...it's just a matter of putting the items in a cart. But eBay has really missed the boat in getting that information across because so many buyers and sellers have no idea that combined shipping is possible. Even when a buyer uses the cart, the discount shows up but it doesn't specify that it is a discounted price or how much the discount is. It would be better if the cart showed them the original quotes for the shipping and import charges as well as the discounted prices so that the buyer was aware that they were paying less than what was stated in the listing.

reallynicestamps · ‎12-26-2015

I had talked with another eBay seller and he said it would be a minimum of USD $150 to send the package to Canada plus I would be responsible for taxes and any import charges. Through the GSP system, the shipping and import and taxes were less than the USD $150. and it was all handled. The seller sent it to the centre in Kentucky and then it came to Canada and let me know where the package was and when it cleared customs. It arrived on my doorstep on Dec. 24 and no extra charges were asked for.

This is an excellent example of the kind of item that SHOULD be shipped by the GSP.

It is large.

It is heavy.

It is expensive.

Now if only eBay would add that reminder to each new GSP-enabled listing, that inexpensive, lightweight, and small items would be better sent by USPS First Class International, perhaps with a link to the USPS webpage with comparable rates.

00nevermind00 · ‎12-26-2015

@pjcdn2005 wrote:
It's not difficult to get the combined shipping discount...it's just a matter of putting the items in a cart.

Yeah we both know that because we read the discussion boards. Which is just about the only way to find out about it. No wonder so many people miss it!

Why didn't they come up with a pop-up screen saying something like: "Want to buy more from this seller? Put your items in a cart to save on shipping." Why wasn't this done? How much effort would it have required on the part of the programmers? How much money would it have cost compared to the number of times when a buyer purchases 5 postcard-sized items and, having to pay $17 GSP shipping on each of the 5, decides to take the strikes instead?

Besides, how can you be sure that there won't be a glitch preventing your items from combining? I know I wouldn't risk it.

marnotom! · ‎12-26-2015

@00nevermind00 wrote:

I think that the USPS is running a huge deficit and has for years. They're probably trying to think of ways to stop the hemorrhaging. But even if the GSP becomes the cheapest service around, I still wouldn't buy anything that ships with it. . . .

Until all of this happens, the GSP will not see a single penny of my money.

Fair enough. Many postal systems have been struggling in the wake of the decline in the use of the postal system for regular letters. My post, however, was intended as elaboration on my contention that the gap between oversize letter (small packet) rates and parcel post rates will likely shrink over the course of the next several years.

And I don't disagree that there are a lot of issues with the GSP that need to be overcome, but I think this is largely due to the program being PitneyBowes' baby and eBay--for whatever reason--having a mostly "hands off" relationship with it.

00nevermind00 · ‎12-27-2015

And I don't disagree that there are a lot of issues with the GSP that need to be overcome, but I think this is largely due to the program being PitneyBowes' baby and eBay--for whatever reason--having a mostly "hands off" relationship with it.

You may well be right, but that shouldn't be the buyer's concern. If the buyer receives nothing, or if his/her item arrives damaged, or if he/she receives a whistling teapot instead of a book, then the buyer should be refunded promptly without having to turn into Sherlock Holmes in order to figure out to avoid money. Ebay and PB can then sort it out between them, once the buyer has his/her money back.

marnotom! · ‎12-27-2015

@00nevermind00 wrote:

You may well be right, but that shouldn't be the buyer's concern. If the buyer receives nothing, or if his/her item arrives damaged, or if he/she receives a whistling teapot instead of a book, then the buyer should be refunded promptly without having to turn into Sherlock Holmes in order to figure out to avoid money. Ebay and PB can then sort it out between them, once the buyer has his/her money back.

I'm not sure the process is really as complicated as it seems to be. While we do see a fair number of posts from people who can't figure out how to get a refund through the GSP, it seems to me that they're usually trying to go through the seller first. Bennett (Remember Bennett?) implied to this poster on the Answer Centre that all they have to do is go through the usual buyer protection programs and all should be well:

http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Buying-on-eBay/Claim-against-Global-Shipping-Program/qaq-p/149111

The poster didn't follow-up on this or post about this elsewhere later, so perhaps in this case no news is good news?

As with much of eBay, how successful one is dealing with its customer service department seems to be a reflection of how well-trained or how experienced that customer service representative is, more than anything else.

Also, keep in mind that most of the posts we read about the GSP are the train wrecks and plane crashes. Most people don't tend to go out of their way to post on a discussion board that everything's gone well with their purchase. For all we know, there may be many more people who have had hassle-free transactions with the GSP that haven't emptied their pocketbooks.

This is in no way intended as a defence of the GSP but just a reminder that these board postings don't really give us a good sense of the big picture. There aren't nearly as many harsh posts about the GSP on the UK and Australian discussion boards, but that's probably because buyers in those countries don't buy from US eBay sellers to the extent that we do. It's not necessarily a sign that buyers in those countries are "happier" with the GSP than Canadians are.

Anyway, back to your original point, yes, there ought be more information on how to file a claim for a damaged/mispackaged/lost/undeliverable GSP item, or better yet, a process separate from the usual claims, but that would likely mean that eBay would also have to create infrastructure for it so as not to hang sellers temporarily out to dry (i.e. subject them to a PayPal hold/freeze) while the claim is being processed. And for reasons unknown to us, eBay won't invest in creating a better system for the GSP refund process. Seems to me that eBay wants all the benefits from the GSP in the form of more sales, but can't or won't invest in the buyers who would be responsible for that sales increase.

On a side note, is it just me or has their been a decrease in the frequency of posts about damage due to repackaging at the Global Shipping Center? (Again, this may be purely meaningless, but it is an intriguing development.)