First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

jrakos
Community Member

Listed collection of 100 vinyl records, total weight 42 kilos, could go in two packages 30cm x 30cm x 75cm. Buyer is in South Korea(SK).  Offered to ship Canada Post. Surface mail max 20 kilos to SK, so 3 packages would need to be sent total cost $250+250+$150=$650, but 2-3 months to arrive. Express post 6 days, max 30 kilos, 2 packages $1000 total. Buyer can not afford, so he suggested Global Shipping Program. How do I find out how much it would cost to ship to SK using GSP? How do I set it up? Thanks to all in advance! John in Ottawa, Canada.

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

Not available to you in Canada.
Message 2 of 13
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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

The Global Shipping Program is not available in Canada. You may have to re-think this transaction, unless somehow you can find a carrier that has cheaper shipping costs that are agreeable to the buyer.

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

Try googling freight forwarders - Ottawa to Korea.(Used Seoul) I located one with an office in Montreal that would do it for approx 325 CAD so not too far away for you. They can also arrange pickup from you. A1 Freight Forwarding, . If you look around you may find someone a little cheaper. Hope that gets you started.

 

-CM

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

DON'T IN THE NAME OF THE GREAT SPAGHETTI MONSTER EVER EVER EVER USE SURFACE SHIPPING!!!

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

Buyer can not afford, so he suggested Global Shipping Program.

 

Buyer is either ignorant-- because the GSP is only available to US and UK sellers

And in any case is NOT cheaper than normal shipping since it uses postal and courier shipping PLUS will add the cost of Korean duty and taxes plus a service fee to the shipping charge.

Or buyer is out to scam you.

Surface shipping is very very slow.

By the time the shipment arrives, the buyer will have opened a Not Received dispute,won,  and received a full refund of his payment.

And keeps the records.

 

I would suggest that you give the scammer buyer a choice of tracked and insured air mail shipping or cancellation at buyer's request.

Withdraw the offer of Surface Shipping. 

You can politely tell your sketchy customer that 'for his protection' you believe that a fast insured and tracked service will be in his best interests.

And if he is honest, that is true. That it also protects you is not necessary to mention.

If he is not honest, he will refuse.

And you will cancel the sale as 'Buyer Request'.

The SELLER  sets the shipping service. I'm going to assume that since you are negotiating this with him, that you did not have a services set up when you listed. (You may not even have opted to ship worldwide, which is sensible for new sellers.*)

 

Buyer can not afford,

The buyer should have asked about shipping before bidding.

If the buyer could not pay for his purchase, he should not have bid.

Coulda shoulda woulda.

 

It's tough when what appears to be a great first sales falls through.

But not every sale is worth having.

 

I'm a little surprised that you are having problems with a Korean customer. Along with the Japanese, they are usually very easy to deal with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Shipping is hard.

 

Message 6 of 13
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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

As a new buyer I would only limit your selling to Canada & the US especially when selling heavy items. They can be sent to Canada & the US by Canada Post Expedited which includes insurance & tracking.  I would cancel the transaction to Korea. You will be asked the reason & you can pick  "Problem With Address".  It will automatically cancel the sale & you will get back your selling fees.

Message 7 of 13
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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

Sorry meant to say you as a new Seller not new buyer you should only send to Canada & US.

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

The OP has five previous feedback as a seller. 

By "First Time Seller In Canada" I think they mean they were previously selling from the United States. It is possible that they are listing on the .com site and getting incorrect shipping options. 

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

Is there a way to look at a Seller's Sold listings?

There used to be, and it was sometimes useful to guide newbies (in particular) to improve their practices.

I was only able to find what the original listing was, then punted over to another seller who had an active listing for the same item.

Generally, that would be more useful for a buyer, but not for us busybody Boardies.

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

I have mentioned this issue about looking at the sold items of sellers in the weekly chat to Tyler today. Hopefully we get an answer.

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost


@reallynicestamps wrote:

Buyer can not afford, so he suggested Global Shipping Program.

 

Buyer is either ignorant-- because the GSP is only available to US and UK sellers

And in any case is NOT cheaper than normal shipping since it uses postal and courier shipping PLUS will add the cost of Korean duty and taxes plus a service fee to the shipping charge.

Or buyer is out to scam you.

Surface shipping is very very slow.

By the time the shipment arrives, the buyer will have opened a Not Received dispute,won,  and received a full refund of his payment.

And keeps the records.

 

I would suggest that you give the scammer buyer a choice of tracked and insured air mail shipping or cancellation at buyer's request.

Withdraw the offer of Surface Shipping. 

You can politely tell your sketchy customer that 'for his protection' you believe that a fast insured and tracked service will be in his best interests.

And if he is honest, that is true. That it also protects you is not necessary to mention.

If he is not honest, he will refuse.

And you will cancel the sale as 'Buyer Request'.

The SELLER  sets the shipping service. I'm going to assume that since you are negotiating this with him, that you did not have a services set up when you listed. (You may not even have opted to ship worldwide, which is sensible for new sellers.*)

 

_____ 

 

 In many cases, heavy items shipped through the gsp are less expensive so I'm surprised that you would say it would be more expensive.  Regardless,  that option isn't open to the op.

 

I'm curious why you think the buyer is a scammer.  Why would someone in Korea know that the gsp isn't available in Canada or anything about shipping options here. Perhaps they are just trying to find a way of receiving something that they really want???

 

 

 

 

 


 

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Re: First time seller in Canada, Global Shipping Program, how to and cost

why you think the buyer is a scammer.  Why would someone in Korea

I don't particularly-- if only because the buyer is in Korea. As a nation, and it is a stereotype, Koreans have a good reputation for honesty. Same for Japanese.

 

heavy items shipped through the gsp are less expensive so I'm surprised that you would say it would be more expensive.

Mostly because the importer /buyer will be paying the duty and taxes upfront.

As most Canadians will tell you (wrongly) the GSP is more expensive because they have never had to pay those legally required fees.

It's the difference between paying upfront and paying later.  It feels more expensive to buy through the GSP.

 

 

Why would someone in Korea know that the gsp isn't available

Because all GSP shipped items are marked with the 'Customs services and international tracking provided' warning-- and he seems to be familiar with the service.

And if it were on the listing, he would have been charged when he bought. GSP isn't something that can be added or removed after purchase.

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