Problems with eBay's Global Shipping Program?

[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.

[bobbyw8469]

International shipping is not as cheap as everyone thinks it is. To do it PROPERLY with tracking and signature (which is what PayPal requires) is $30 and up, depending on the weight of the item.

[toyman55]

I have been selling on ebay now for 20+ years and stopped shipping international many years ago. I had items lost, I ended up paying custom charges and in general no sale was stress less. With ebay's new system I don't have to worry because they protect me. I have shipped once since they initiated the program and the customer was happy and I was too.