Questions about the Global Shipping Program

[kalvin@ebay.com]

Do you have questions about the Global Shipping Program? Please post here & I'll do my best to track those answers down for you!

If you have any comments about the program, use this forum instead.

Thanks,

[arlene_v]

Actually the exact words are "Unacceptable for Carriage - Prohibited".  Ran out of time to edit earlier post.

As per AF's advice I am quite willing to wait, but do want to know how long I am going to wait because I would like to order this from another site and it is a little time sensitive (visitors arriving soon, and it is for their use)

[00nevermind00]

If you have a little time to spend on this, you could go to PB's Facebook page and express your displeasure. Sellers who sell an item later found to be "unavailable" for whatever reason get a defect. Why is it acceptable for eBay's pet program to get away with something that sellers can't?

Yet one more reason for me never to buy anything that ships through the GSP, no matter how much I want the item. There is nothing in the world I want badly enough to put myself through this kind of aggravation and also to support a program I despise so much.

[arlene_v]

Thanks Nevermind, unfortunately I am one of those folks who doesn't have a FB account.

I quickly checked what the GSP says about prohibited items, and it tells sellers not to worry because items that are prohibited won't be visible on eBay  to international customers.

Well I guess they lied.

Oops can I say that or will I get sued??

LOL

[afantiques]

I can't be the only one pretty curious as to the nature of the counter top appliance, that makes it such a peril to international trade.

[mater721]

"I can't be the only one pretty curious as to the nature of the counter top appliance, that makes it such a peril to international trade."

Probably a pintel-mounted .50cal used in kitchen defense.

Doesn't everyone have one of those?

No?

[marnotom!]

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@arlene_v wrote:

Thanks Nevermind, unfortunately I am one of those folks who doesn't have a FB account.

I quickly checked what the GSP says about prohibited items, and it tells sellers not to worry because items that are prohibited won't be visible on eBay  to international customers.

Well I guess they lied.

Oops can I say that or will I get sued??

---

That's interesting.  What page is this information on?  I can't find any information to that effect on the Seller Terms and Conditions Page.  This is the verbiage on prohibited or ineligible items:

1. Restricted Categories. Items listed in certain eBay.com categories are ineligible for the Program. You may find a list of restricted categories here.
   
   
2. Prohibited Item Types. Several types of items are ineligible for the Program. You may find a list of prohibited item types here.
   
   
3. Oversized Items. Parcels which exceed maximum weights and/or dimensions are ineligible for the Program. "Parcel" means a box, bag, container or other package containing one or more GSP Items sold comprising all or part of a Buyer order.
   
   
4. Illegal and Hazardous Items. Items that are illegal or restricted for export from the United States, are illegal in or restricted from import to the country of importation and/or which fall within one or more of the United Nations hazard classes and/or as identified by the International Air Transport Association are ineligible for the Program.
   
   
5. Items subject to Export Controls. Items that (A) relate to an Export Control Classification Number that is considered dual use, controlled, or otherwise restricted by the Export Administration Regulations Commerce Control List and require a license or (B) are subject to any U.S. export control regulations, as determined by Pitney Bowes and/or its service providers in their exclusive discretion, are ineligible for the Program.
   
   
6. Other Prohibited Items. Items that are otherwise prohibited on eBay's website properties are ineligible for the Program. You may review eBay's prohibited items policies here.
   
   
7. Other. Items that eBay and/or Pitney Bowes determine, in their sole discretion, would not benefit from the Program or could create problems or liabilities for the Program. In the event that eBay determines, for whatever reason, that one or more of your listings is eligible for sale to certain countries or regions but is ineligible for sale to other countries or regions, you authorize eBay, in its discretion, to exclude the listing from being offered through the Program to buyers in the ineligible countries or regions in lieu of excluding the listing from the Program entirely or removing the listing from eBay generally.
   
   

I don't see anything in there that suggests that PitneyBowes or eBay will prevent an illegible listing from being visible on non-.com sites.  The onus seems to be on the seller to ensure that the item will conform to the terms and conditions.

AF, you're not the only one curious about the item.  I'm wondering if it's either a victim of miscategorization or just misinterpretation of, say, the fifth listed condition.

Or maybe we're looking at another version of the redwood guitar saga.

[afantiques]

Maybe it includes a glass bowl. Some odd things are happening with glass items and the GSP lately.

I doubt if it's a machine gun. Unless the kitchen is arena sized it would be a waste of firepower, we use a flamethrower which can double for marshmallows and creme brulee. Turned down to 'Low' of course.

[arlene_v]

It's just a used toaster oven/grill thingy  ...we're not talking about a heavy range or  fridge or freezer here, not a large appliance so I am baffled if this oversized and moreover don't feel like playing detective when I order an item I just expect to get it delivered in the time promised (which has already been exceeded) or, failing that,  get some info as to why it can't be shipped, and receive a full refund in short order.  

Not at all impressed with the communication (or lack thereof) from Pitney Bowes. Very unprofessional.

[marnotom!]

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@arlene_v wrote:

Not at all impressed with the communication (or lack thereof) from Pitney Bowes. Very unprofessional.

---

I think this is another example supporting my hypothesis that PitneyBowes' computer system just doesn't communicate very well with eBay's.  I don't think buyers give PitneyBowes permission to use their eBay contact information, and for whatever reason PitneyBowes can't produce something for eBay to forward on its behalf.

Frustrating and unprofessional for sure, but I don't think there's any maliciousness intended.

Yes, backing up a bit, my understanding from readings in the past is that you'll have to file a claim to recover your funds.  Ridiculous.

[arlene_v]

 Yes ridiculous is a perfect word to sum it up.

[illgiveuaquarter]

All I can say is I will never buy anything through this gsp program from the USA. The duty and shipping costs are  ridiculous when I can order the same items from half way round the world for free shipping plus actual duty charges; not this PB **bleep** that has over-the-top shipping charges, twice, plus duty fees on order of 2-3 times the tax rate in my province, plus risking the infamous "brokerage fees" associated with UPS and Fedex. How stupid does Ebay think we are?

[arlene_v]

Update: I posted to the comments thread that I'd phoned eBay this AM re the oven I ordered via the GSP.

Well, I have received a full refund from eBay in Paypal and the case is closed.

I had a feeling this would work out because the rep was very helpful and friendly, and the whole transaction was polite and pleasant. Even though she had me on hold for 20 minutes!

Thanks to those who helped advise.

I think that it would be a good idea if eBay had a GSP dedicated help line for GSP cases, it would be very reassuring to customers and ensure that all reps are as helpful as the one I spoke to this AM.

Based on posts here not all reps are as helpful or prepared to find out how to deal with GSP cases. I was fortunate.

[bydesign500]

Hello, I'm an occasional ebay customer & I've had something happen which has never happened before--my purchases haven't arrived. On the same afternoon in early Sept I made 3 purchases: 1 from the US for $18 that appears to have stalled in Vancouver (I'm in Ont), one from China worth $5 & one from China worth $8--none of which have arrived, after more than a month. It seems too much a coincidence that all 3 would be lost when I've never lost a purchase before--any thoughts about what might be going on? I contacted the sellers this morning with no word back yet. The purchases are a pendant, earrings & memory card cases.

How likely is it they're actually lost? Could it be a CBSA issue (which I've just discovered reading these boards today). Would Canada Border Services hold packages worth $3 or $4? I've realized I forgot to update my ebay account with my new phone #--would CBSA contact me by ph9ne, possibly?

Any suggestions? How should I proceed now?  THANKYOU!

[bydesign500]

Hello, I'm an occasional Ebay customer & I've had something happen which has never happened before--my purchases haven't arrived. On the same afternoon in early Sept I made 3 purchases: 1 from the US for $18 that appears to have stalled in Vancouver (I'm in Ont), one from China worth $5 & one from China worth $8--none of which have arrived, after more than a month. It seems too much a coincidence that all 3 would be lost when I've never lost a purchase before--any thoughts about what might be going on? I contacted the sellers this morning with no word back yet. The purchases are a pendant, earrings & memory card cases.

How likely is it they're actually lost? Could it be a CBSA issue (which I've just discovered reading these boards today). Would Canada Border Services hold packages worth $3 or $4? I've realized I forgot to update my Ebay account with my new phone #--would CBSA contact me by ph9ne, possibly?

Any suggestions? How should I proceed now?  THANKYOU!

[marnotom!]

I can't speculate on why you haven't received your items, but I urge you to file claims of non-receipt of goods through eBay or PayPal now.

Remember, you can always pay the seller again should your item(s) arrive after your payment is returned to you.

[femmefan1946]

The maximum you can import without paying duty or sales tax is $20CDN or $15USD.

So none of your three items would be stopped at customs-- unless a bored agent thought there was something much more expensive or illegal inside.

Do open Disputes on all three items and get a refund.

Most items arrive from the USA within 20 days. If the seller was using the Global Shipping Program mention this in the Dispute. The seller shouldn't be using GSP for such an inexpensive item, but that is neither here nor there. Do let the seller know about the slow delivery, especially if the GSP is involved.

The Chinese items should arrive within 30 days. It is possible they were never sent. A common scam. Do NOT allow the seller to offer a replacement. That's definitely a scam. Again, go for the refund of your money.

[ab.bahram2015]

Oh man this gsp sucks. I ordered an S6 edge plus. The seller ships it to global shipping center apparently some place called Erlanger nd it is there for 3days now. When does it leave? How long before I get it here in Canada?

[lorraine_carol]

With due respect, this is not true regarding a $20 limit on duty. Canada pays no duty from the USA. Taxes yes if in person. I live an hour from a USA border and we do a lot of cross-border shopping, sometimes they make us pay the taxes, other times they don't (our purchases could be anywhere from $50-$200). However I do order a lot of my items that I sell from the USA via online box-stores (up to $250 per purchase). If they are shipped via USP, I have yet to pay duty or taxes. The boxes are packed quite efficiently; not overly large. The odd time I have purchased from the USA and a courier was used, I did have to pay duty and taxes. I rarely purchase from stores who don't use USPS; it's frustrating when couriers charge for duty when Canada has charged duty for years.

Happy Evening 🙂

Lorraine

[pierrelebel]

"it's frustrating when couriers charge for duty when Canada has charged duty for years."

Many Canadian posters often confuse "duty" with "consumption taxes (GST/HST/PST)"

Importing by mail or courier is not the same as importing in person where you have larger limits.

By mail or courier, the limit is Cdn$20.  That is correct: $20.00.  Couriers such as Fed-Ex and UPS enforce the limit to the penny.  If not they could lose their license. 

Parcels coming through Canada Post on the other hand often get delivered without tax or brokerage fee being charged although the rules from the Canadian government specify that taxes must be charged if the value exceeds Cdn$20.  Canada Post also charges a flat $9.95 handling fee (brokerage fee) regardless of value when taxes are charged.

Please take a look at the official government of Canada webpage on the subject:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/duty-droits-eng.html

[lorraine_carol]

This very well may be true, I've no reason to doubt this. My point is, In all the items I have purchased over the years since Canada has eliminated the duty, I have yet to pay duty or tax on anything I have purchased from the USA. Nothing shady or deceptive, if my purchases are not pulled for inspection. So, having said that to say this, why purchase from sellers who utilize the GSP and know without doubt buyer will pay much more than what is most likely necessary. Best, Lorraine