Problems with eBay's Global Shipping Program?

[slidekellyslide]

I use the global shipping program on items that I expect will sell for more than $50...I'm getting tired of losing my item AND my money when it doesn't show up....and it was becoming epidemic. If an item in the Global Shipping Program gets lost then ebay covers it. It used to be no problem when ebay/paypal had a seller protection plan, but they ditched it, and I'm guessing they did so so they could make money as a middle man with this program.

What really pisses me off though is when ebay kicks an item out of the Global Shipping Program AFTER the auction ends because they don't want to be responsible for it. Has happened to me twice now. I just no longer ship to Italy or China...I've found both of those countries to be the absolute worst when it comes to "lost" packages.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I use the global shipping program on items that I expect will sell for more than $50...I'm getting tired of losing my item AND my money when it doesn't show up....and it was becoming epidemic. If an item in the Global Shipping Program gets lost then ebay covers it. It used to be no problem when ebay/paypal had a seller protection plan, but they ditched it, and I'm guessing they did so so they could make money as a middle man with this program.

What really pisses me off though is when ebay kicks an item out of the Global Shipping Program AFTER the auction ends because they don't want to be responsible for it. Has happened to me twice now. I just no longer ship to Italy or China...I've found both of those countries to be the absolute worst when it comes to "lost" packages.

Before the program, did you use tracking on your items?

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by MikeKam

Before the program, did you use tracking on your items?

Yes, always. I track all of my packages.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Yes, always. I track all of my packages.

I have a hard time seeing how packages would get lost when you have tracking on them. I have yet to have a single issue with shipping a tracked item outside of Canada, and 95% of what I sell is international (although most does go to the U.S.).

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by MikeKam

I have a hard time seeing how packages would get lost when you have tracking on them. I have yet to have a single issue with shipping a tracked item outside of Canada, and 95% of what I sell is international (although most does go to the U.S.).

Well, uh...good for you. I haven't been so lucky. Packages with tracking get lost all the time.

[ATP]

I use the program but have been torn regarding opting out once. Pitney opened my package that I carefully packed, removed the bubble wrap, and repackaged it. When it arrived to canada, it was a framed autograph, the glass was broken of course. The buyer thought I had packed it that way, and was furious after what they had paid in shipping. On the other hand,I have had a couple things lost in foreign countries at customs (or the buyer was untruthful) and it does remove some of that stress and dealing with any special customs forms.

Something I have been meaning to ask and Is somewhat relevant in this thread. Can someone from canada or another country confirm whether or not some of the charges that are paid for shipping in the GSP program include the custom import taxes based on the selling price, or do those still have to be paid separately?

[slidekellyslide]

I'm also curious about the customs charges...the program is a real mystery to even those of us who use it. Sellers can not see any of the communication going on. I get constant emails asking me to send an invoice for items that are in the program...it is impossible for me to do so. I'm having issues now with someone in New Zealand who will not pay because he says my item is a secondhand item and there should be no custom taxes on it. I told him he has to deal with ebay on that, and he says ebay is totally unresponsive. I can't do anything about it.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by ATP

I use the program but have been torn regarding opting out once. Pitney opened my package that I carefully packed, removed the bubble wrap, and repackaged it. When it arrived to canada, it was a framed autograph, the glass was broken of course. The buyer thought I had packed it that way, and was furious after what they had paid in shipping. On the other hand,I have had a couple things lost in foreign countries at customs (or the buyer was untruthful) and it does remove some of that stress and dealing with any special customs forms.

Something I have been meaning to ask and Is somewhat relevant in this thread. Can someone from canada or another country confirm whether or not some of the charges that are paid for shipping in the GSP program include the custom import taxes based on the selling price, or do those still have to be paid separately?

For me, when I purchase something with the GSP, I pay a shipping price + customs charge. Usually the shipping price starts from $17ish dollar no matter the item. I personally have never been double charged on customs, but have heard of it happening to others.

As mentioned in my OP, I don't understand why they feel the need to look through the contents of every package. They literally do a TERRIBLE job repackaging it. I've had this photo ripped, and many more examples of opened boxes/envelopes with contents exposed.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I use the global shipping program on items that I expect will sell for more than $50...I'm getting tired of losing my item AND my money when it doesn't show up....and it was becoming epidemic. If an item in the Global Shipping Program gets lost then ebay covers it. It used to be no problem when ebay/paypal had a seller protection plan, but they ditched it, and I'm guessing they did so so they could make money as a middle man with this program.

What really pisses me off though is when ebay kicks an item out of the Global Shipping Program AFTER the auction ends because they don't want to be responsible for it. Has happened to me twice now. I just no longer ship to Italy or China...I've found both of those countries to be the absolute worst when it comes to "lost" packages.

+1. International items getting "lost" was becoming bad. Ebay assumes all the risks should a buyer claim foul. I am totally in favor of the global shipping program.

[thecatspajamas]

Never used it, and won't. I have several repeat customers who have thanked me repeatedly for not using the Global Shipping program, and I am certain they continue to be customers as a direct result of opting out of the program. I'd rather they spend their money on more stuff I have for sale than on paying eBay to ensure they don't take advantage of me.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

Never used it, and won't. I have several repeat customers who have thanked me repeatedly for not using the Global Shipping program, and I am certain they continue to be customers as a direct result of opting out of the program. I'd rather they spend their money on more stuff I have for sale than on paying eBay to ensure they don't take advantage of me.

Wait until you get $900 worth of stamps "lost" in Italy...you may change your tune.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

wait until you get $900 worth of stamps "lost" in italy...you may change your tune.

lol!!! +1

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Wait until you get $900 worth of stamps "lost" in Italy...you may change your tune.

Perhaps, but I doubt it. After two lost lots maybe

Seriously though, I don't mean to come down on anybody who does use the program. It's just not for me, and I wanted to show that there is an up side to opting out. When in doubt, or if I can't afford to lose the item, I tack on a few extra bucks for international shipping and send it registered mail, insured, return receipt, etc. The buyer still winds up paying less than they would have through Global Shipping, and I have yet to have anyone to say they didn't get something after hand-signing a card that they could see was being sent back to me.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

Perhaps, but I doubt it. After two lost lots maybe

Seriously though, I don't mean to come down on anybody who does use the program. It's just not for me, and I wanted to show that there is an up side to opting out. When in doubt, or if I can't afford to lose the item, I tack on a few extra bucks for international shipping and send it registered mail, insured, return receipt, etc. The buyer still winds up paying less than they would have through Global Shipping, and I have yet to have anyone to say they didn't get something after hand-signing a card that they could see was being sent back to me.

I could only insure for $500 to Italy via FedEx (same with other carriers I checked on)...have you been able to insure for more than that amount on an international package?

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I could only insure for $500 to Italy via FedEx (same with other carriers I checked on)...have you been able to insure for more than that amount on an international package?

I have when using stamps.com (insurance purchased through them) and shipping via USPS. I forget what the USPS insurance tops out at (something less than $900 IIRC), but the stamps.com insurance appears to have an upper limit of $100k (at a cost of $1052.28 for that $100k), though I can't recall ever using it for anything more than $1000 or so. And I've never had a case where an expensive insured package was the one that actually went missing, so I can't speak to how hard it would be to collect on the stamps.com insurance in that case.

I have had a $50ish shipment to Italy go missing, and finally turn up back in my mailbox about 6 months later, long after I refunded the buyer. For whatever reason, Italy seems to be on a lot of folks no-no list. I've probably shipped a dozen or so packages there over the years with that being the lone issue, though I guess that percentage is still pretty awful.

[gashouse34]

I used to be enrolled in the program but recently opted out. I got tired of being cussed out by buyers saying the global shipping prices were to high. I agreed with them but I told them I was unable to change those charges and that eBay controlled the global shipping costs. I didn't even know how much they were charging as I don't believe there is a way to see their charges? After a few buyers thinking I was being dishonest and overcharging for shipping I opted out.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by gashousegang_1

I used to be enrolled in the program but recently opted out. I got tired of being cussed out by buyers saying the global shipping prices were to high. I agreed with them but I told them I was unable to change those charges and that eBay controlled the global shipping costs. I didn't even know how much they were charging as I don't believe there is a way to see their charges? After a few buyers thinking I was being dishonest and overcharging for shipping I opted out.

Twice I have let a foreign buyer back out of a sale that was in the GSP, and then I set up a BIN for them so I could send an item directly. I don't like the GSP any more than foreign buyers do, if ebay/paypal ever reinstates their old seller protection plan I'll ditch the GSP in a heartbeat.