My First Experience with the Global Shipping Program

[jt-libra]

I purchased an item from a U.S. seller on June 19th.  In round numbers, I paid $11.00 S&H and $7.00 import fees.  I was fine with that because the base price of the item was excellent and the $18.00 total S&H and fees was equal to what other sellers were charging for shipping outside of the GSP.

On June 21st, I got a confirmation e-mail from UPS in Kentucky that my item had been delivered .... to them ... at a location called Airport Exchange Blvd.  It didn`t sound like it was still in transit; simply that it had been delivered and signed for.  That's all I've heard.  While I wasn`t expecting to have received it today, I would like some idea of how it's going to be shipped to me and when I can expect delivery.  When I contacted UPS to see if they were now going to forward this item to me or was it being picked up and shipped by USPS, I was told ...sorry, "In order to protect our customer's information, we cannot provide you with charges billed to another party. Please contact your shipper for additional assistance."  Well, I wasn't going to contact the seller yet; perhaps he doesn't even know the details of how it's going to proceed to Canada if he's new to the program.  His listing did state "International Tracking" except that the UPS number is now dead.

While only a few days have passed since my purchase, and I'm not impatient, it seems to me that there should be some further notification to the buyer but, by whom, I'm not sure -- the seller?  UPS Kentucky?  USPS? So far, I'm not impressed.

[afantiques]

This is the way it works, item goes to Kentucky, item is consolidated and comes to Canada, item is delivered to you.

As far as I know you will know when it arrives when it arrives,

[fruitacres]

The seller is using GSP properly, and in doing so their delivery obligation ends in Kentucky.  That's where eBay takes over and any non-delivery cannot be taken up with seller but with eBay.  (you may still, once listed delivery time has expired be able to open a case and escalate after 3 days but seller has proof of delivery into GSP and is off hook for anything other than SNAD)

Any case involving a US seller and listing purchased on ebay.com must be handled through and is subject to rules of .com site if any are different than .ca (such as time limits, signature confirmation threshhold)

You should have received a Global Tracking number visible in Order Details but inability to access and track the item may be a glitch as generally any provided tracking number works for anyone on carrier  website involved.  One number is supposed to be good from seller's hands to yours.

[jt-libra]

Thanks for the replies (which I've just read).  I've set my subscription preferences to notify me of new posts in which I participate, but it's not happening.

I appreciate that the seller has fulfilled his obligation.  I guess I was expecting some sort of tracking number, since the description did state "International Tracking".  I have to make certain arrangements with Canada Post mailmen and UPS delivery men when deliveries are expected, so it helps to know how it's going to arrive and when.

Thanks again.

[jt-libra]

I just re-checked the item in Purchase History in My eBay and, where there was nothing earlier today, there is now a Global Tracking Number.  It indicates that it the parcel was transferred to Canada Post and will be delivered by expedited mail; a CP tracking number was included.

It may have just been a glitch -- the fact that the Global Tracking # didn't show up earlier -- but since this was my first purchase with the GSP, I was just a tiny bit concerned about how it all worked.  As I mentioned in my original post, the price was reasonable and it seems the process works well.  I'll know what to expect next time.

[femmefan1946]

Let us know if UPS adds any charges on your doorstep.

As for the tracking number, some minimum wage clerk is entering those into the database, either manually or by barcode. There will be delays between actual arrival of the item, database and shipping it onward.

The program may work well for (US) sellers, but not for their customers, who face higher costs and shipping delays due to trans-shipment.

[jt-libra]

I will, femme.  It stated clearly that no additional charges would be levied on delivery.  So I'm hopeful that will be the case.

This is the only purchase I've made.  This is a big box, fairly heavy and I was surprised to see the shipping at $11.00 plus $7.00 import fees.  Other sellers were not only charging 25% more for the item itself, but upwards of $25.00 for shipping.  The Canada Post website states expected delivery is tomorrow, which is 5 business days from date of purchase.  So if it does arrive tomorrow, with no additional fees, I would have to say this is an extremely positive experience.

I would be interested in hearing of other buyers' experiences.

[recped]

jt-libra

If possible could you scan and post a picture of the labels on your package. Not so interested in the Canada Post label but rather the labels covering the Kentucky to Canada portion.

I see a few references to UPS in this thread, I don't beluieve UPS has any involvement in the GSP process unless that is what the seller used to get the package to Pitney-Bowes in Kentucky.

Regarding the "Global Tracking Number" and your intial inability to track it, I expect the numbers are issued as soon as the sale is made but do not become active until the package has actually left the consolidation centre in Kentucky.

[jt-libra]

"If possible could you scan and post a picture of the labels on your package. Not so interested in the Canada Post label but rather the labels covering the Kentucky to Canada portion."

I will ... it didn't arrive today though.

"I see a few references to UPS in this thread, I don't beluieve UPS has any involvement in the GSP process unless that is what the seller used to get the package to Pitney-Bowes in Kentucky."

The seller did ship it to Kentucky by UPS.

"Regarding the "Global Tracking Number" and your intial inability to track it, I expect the numbers are issued as soon as the sale is made but do not become active until the package has actually left the consolidation centre in Kentucky."

That's likely what happened.

I'll keep you posted.

[jt-libra]

Well, the box arrived today (6 business days) , with no additional fees. 

Unfortunately the Canada Post label was smack dab on top of the other shipping label, so I couldn't scan it.  I could barely make out any of the info.  It was sent from New York to me by UPS, c/o the US Shipping Center in Kentucky, but how it made its way to Mississauga, I couldn't see.   The return address was:

Shipping Manager

PBIS - KY

Gateway Commecial BR

4567 Dixie Rd.

Mississauga, ON

So, all in all, I was happy with this purchase.  I wouldn't hesitate to try it again, if the price was right.

[jt-libra]

I know there's a long thread on this board about the GSP -- unanswered questions and the unfairness of it all.  And I don't even want to get in the middle of all that, since it doesn't apply to me as a seller and I had a positive experience as a buyer. 

The one comment I do have is this.  In discussions about the high S&H some U.S. sellers charge, I've seen countless comments from people on this board who say, they don't care about that amount.  If the total of the item plus S&H is fair and reasonable to them, they'll buy it.  Others, like myself, like to see a reasonable shipping cost.  If I'm going to be charged $20.00 shipping for a single DVD, I'll pass.  That tells me that the seller couldn't care less about shipping to Canada or that they aren't even aware or care if the shipping calculator is accurate or that they haven't investigated the most reasonable method of shipping to Canada.  And with having such a huge market without us, why should they bother. 

So with the introduction of the GSP, why aren't these same people just viewing it as one grand total (cost of item + shipping + import fees).  If it looks good to you, go for it.  The Kentucky distribution center seems to operate well and you'll likely receive your item a lot quicker than you've been accustomed to.

In my case, the price of the item itself was reasonable and the total $18.00 for shipping & fees was fair enough. The seller couldn't have profited from the $11.00 he charged since he had to pack the big box and ship it by UPS to Kentucky and the $7.00 Pitney Bowes charged doesn't seem out of line.  I probably wouldn't have had to pay any fees at all if it had been shipped directly to me by the seller (rarely do we get charged on low-priced items) but I'm thinking that had the seller shipped directly to me, he would have charged more than $11.00 and perhaps even more than the $18.00 I paid.  Other sellers of the same item were charging upwards of $25.00.

[jt-libra]

I'm aware there's a cap on media, so the DVD was a poor example.  I simply meant ... any small item.

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

The total cost is the best way, I agree. Most people do a line by line analysis. They are incapable of seeing the larger picture.

I buy almost nothing over eBay anymore. The cost is too high, quality too low, time frame too long. eBay is driving me to local stores and to buying new from Canadian on-line retailers.

Ya live in a remote area, it is a rare widget, things like that alter the paradigm.

[pjcdn2005]

The seller couldn't have profited from the $11.00 he charged since he had to pack the big box and ship it by UPS to Kentucky and the $7.00 Pitney Bowes charged doesn't seem out of line.

I just wanted to note that the $11 you paid for the shipping portion was a combination of what the seller charged to Kentucky and what PB charged from KY to you.  The only way to tell what the seller actually received in shipping is to see what they charged a domestic customer.

[pierrelebel]

Thank you jt-libra for sharing your positive GSP experience with us. 

It is refreshing to hear from buyers with actual experience with GSP and who really understand the system.

[pjcdn2005]

Yes...thanks jt! 🙂

[jt-libra]

"I just wanted to note that the $11 you paid for the shipping portion was a combination of what the seller charged to Kentucky and what PB charged from KY to you.  The only way to tell what the seller actually received in shipping is to see what they charged a domestic customer."

You're right, of course.  I didn't think of it in those terms.     He charged $5.00 for U.S. shipping.

But still a  good deal.  The box was 55 x 45 x 35 cm and weighed 4 kg.

[jt-libra]

You're right, of course.  I didn't think of it in those terms.     He charged $5.00 for U.S. shipping.

But still a  good deal.  The box was 55 x 45 x 35 cm and weighed 4 kg.

[tobyshitzu]

Wow Im surprised the gsp was that low for that size.  For sure the gsp/tax costs all in were far less then just the retail usps postage would have been on that size even if it avoided tax

[nuvistors]

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@jt-libra wrote:

Well, the box arrived today (6 business days) , with no additional fees. 

Unfortunately the Canada Post label was smack dab on top of the other shipping label, so I couldn't scan it.  I could barely make out any of the info.  It was sent from New York to me by UPS, c/o the US Shipping Center in Kentucky, but how it made its way to Mississauga, I couldn't see.   The return address was:

Shipping Manager

PBIS - KY

Gateway Commecial BR

4567 Dixie Rd.

Mississauga, ON

So, all in all, I was happy with this purchase.  I wouldn't hesitate to try it again, if the price was right.

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Are we to assume that if the item had to be returned  because of a SNAD  that  it would be shipped to the Mississauga address .

[chimera148]

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@toby**bleep**zu wrote:

Wow Im surprised the gsp was that low for that size. 

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I'm not surprised, the GSP has been introduced and promoted to unaware buyers and sellers that are paying too much to subsidize the items which are successfully handled by the GSP.