Problems with eBay's Global Shipping Program?

[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.

[MikeKam]

Here is what the typical GSP looks like for us if you're interested:

[ATP]

Originally Posted by MikeKam

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.

Thanks for posting this and for the visual example. At one point, I actually spent a few hours trying to research customs duties regarding this program but gave up. I also, have a lot of folks always asking not to report the value on the forms before I started using the GSP, which it did not like. How much is customs duty where you live Mike, if coming from the US? I was always under the assumption it was somewhere around 5-6 percent, at least that appears to be rolled in to the GSP charge. What always bugged me though, is I also thought that items that were considered antiques or collectibles of historical importance, which a lot of baseball collectibles fall into, weren't subject to customs tax.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by ATP

Thanks for posting this and for the visual example. At one point, I actually spent a few hours trying to research customs duties regarding this program but gave up. I also, have a lot of folks always asking not to report the value on the forms before I started using the GSP, which it did not like. How much is customs duty where you live Mike, if coming from the US? I was always under the assumption it was somewhere around 5-6 percent, at least that appears to be rolled in to the GSP charge. What always bugged me though, is I also thought that items that were considered antiques or collectibles of historical importance, which a lot of baseball collectibles fall into, weren't subject to customs tax.

It depends, sometimes I don't get charged, sometimes I do. I've been charged as low as 13% (our regular tax rate) to as high as 45% (which I was given no explanation for).

[ATP]

This isn't meant to sound snotty, just in case it comes out that way Mike. In your example you posted with the screenshot of the charges for the Mantle item, as the buyer, what part of that do you feel is too much, price wise? The $16 for the shipping or the amount estimated for the import duty? To me it looks like about the cost for priority mail shipping I would assume, if I shipped and insured a $300 item, plus somewhere on the lower end of your estimate of between 13 percent and the ridiculous 45 percent you mentioned. Genuinely, I am really interested in understanding how international buyers feel about this program as I have gone back and forth many times about using it, and this discussion is helping me see it from the buyers side.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by ATP

This isn't meant to sound snotty, just in case it comes out that way Mike. In your example you posted with the screenshot of the charges for the Mantle item, as the buyer, what part of that do you feel is too much, price wise? The $16 for the shipping or the amount estimated for the import duty? To me it looks like about the cost for priority mail shipping I would assume, if I shipped and insured a $300 item, plus somewhere on the lower end of your estimate of between 13 percent and the ridiculous 45 percent you mentioned. Genuinely, I am really interested in understanding how international buyers feel about this program as I have gone back and forth many times about using it, and this discussion is helping me see it from the buyers side.

I personally have not had much problem in terms of the pricing, as I never said that. What irritates me is the process the GSP goes through. First of all, I can't combine shipping from a seller (which does allude to cost). Next, I am paying for a pretty expensive shipping service that 1) does not provide reliable tracking 2) feels the need to open up all my packages and 3) several times repackage them poorly, or in this case, damage it.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by MikeKam

I personally have not had much problem in terms of the pricing, as I never said that. What irritates me is the process the GSP goes through. First of all, I can't combine shipping from a seller (which does allude to cost). Next, I am paying for a pretty expensive shipping service that 1) does not provide reliable tracking 2) feels the need to open up all my packages and 3) several times repackage them poorly, or in this case, damage it.

I suppose they have to open each package to insure that the item is actually in the package since they are now the ones on the hook for it. I had never even thought about that before...I guess I assumed they just took the package and forwarded it on with other packages headed for the same destination.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I suppose they have to open each package to insure that the item is actually in the package since they are now the ones on the hook for it. I had never even thought about that before...I guess I assumed they just took the package and forwarded it on with other packages headed for the same destination.

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I suppose they have to open each package to insure that the item is actually in the package since they are now the ones on the hook for it. I had never even thought about that before...I guess I assumed they just took the package and forwarded it on with other packages headed for the same destination.

Thats a fair and smart assumption, but it isn't the case.

It just seems more efficient to me for the seller to ship directly to the buyer, without the middle man.

I understand the whole liability/responsibility of the package issue here, but I feel like that packages shipped internationally with tracking shouldn't be much of an issue. I am biased in the sense though that I've never had any problems with tracking international shipping.

[ATP]

Originally Posted by MikeKam

I personally have not had much problem in terms of the pricing, as I never said that. What irritates me is the process the GSP goes through. First of all, I can't combine shipping from a seller (which does allude to cost). Next, I am paying for a pretty expensive shipping service that 1) does not provide reliable tracking 2) feels the need to open up all my packages and 3) several times repackage them poorly, or in this case, damage it.

Thanks for clarifying, I think I just assumed you thought the price was too high as everyone seems to complain about that, but you are right :-)

To some degree, I can understand that they do need to know what is in the package since they are responsible for importing it. However, I think it is terrible that they repackage it poorly. The one item I had an issue with was a framed photo, and when it arrived in Canada, it was just thrown in a box loose, all of the packaging I placed inside to protect had been removed (to lighten the package I suppose). I am still on the fence about continuing to use the program, and really appreciate the insight.