Evil Bay Global Shipping Program

[Peter Jennings]

I think it's clear from the comments that if you really want to appeal to the most international buyers you're perhaps better off opting out of GSP. But if experiencing the least hassle is more important to you, GSP is usually the way to go.

 

[Archlich]

The shipping maybe low, but the hefty "import fee" they charge is not the actual custom duty. Some people got charged a second time by customs when the parcel went in.

The last time I had something shipped by GSP the parcel journeyed for a month before leaving the States. The fee was exorbitant. I felt grateful only the goods (just a filter) was not damaged so I don't have to deal with Pitney Bowes's fabled custome service. Definitely worlds inferior to USPS...

I never bought from any seller who decide to stick to GSP again.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I note the countries that have effective, reasonable cost, international postal shipping. Japan and China stand out. I'll buy from these countries without a second thought. (I'm in the US.) Obviously these countries want to promote commerce.

I also note those countries with crazy high prices for shipping. Canada to US and vice-versa for example. It's fast enough, but expensive. I deal with one Canadian, near the border, who drives across to a shipping agent in the US.

 

[jsrockit]

Evil Bay is always changing their listing format. I now find it impossible to ship from the US to international for a fixed price. They have a Global Shipping program that charges an extremely low price for shipping. However, I've had two foreign buyers who sent me messages saying they wanted to buy my gear but wouldn't because they had been ripped off by Evil bay and the shipping program previously.

Can someone overseas enlighten me?

What you see is the price for shipping to the third party location located in Kentucky. What the buyer sees is an astronomical price that the third party charges the buyer on their end. The global shipping program uses a middle man. It's easy for sellers to use and doesn't cost anymore to ship. However, for buyers, it is very expensive.

 

[skibeerr]

What you see is the price for shipping to the third party location located in Kentucky. What the buyer sees is an astronomical price that the third party charges the buyer on their end. The global shipping program uses a middle man. It's easy for sellers to use and doesn't cost anymore to ship. However, for buyers, it is very expensive.

If you as an American want to see what we pay for gsp look at an US auction and change the country in the postage tab.

 

[jsrockit]

If you as an American want to see what we pay for gsp look at an US auction and change the country in the postage tab.

Now that I live in Chile, I've seen it... 😱

 

[Beemermark]

I really appreciate all the feedback. Postage for everything in the US as really gone up but IMHO the US Postal Service has gotten very efficient. I print my labels on their website (as a pdf saved to my computer), drop it off at either a private mail business or a post office with no waiting in line. Plus I get a 10% discount. I get tracking (and so does the buyer if I have his email) at each stop were it is handled on the route. 2 to 3 day deliver generally in the US and 7 to 10 days overseas.

I think I'll just put in a fixed price for overseas shipping.

 

[rybolt]

I don't use GSP. I make an accurate estimate as to the weight and dimensions and choose the shipping method. Ebay's system calculates the cost for each individual country and displays it to the buyer. If I don't feel like covering the insurance in my costs I add a handling fee that will cover it. I spell out what this fee is for. 90% of the time I pay it as I have that amount included in my item cost.
I understand the issues with Customs costs in other countries but I won't falsify documents to get a lower price. First, it's illegal. Second, I have to protect myself by insuring it at the true cost. Customs inspectors are not stupid. If they see insurance at $1000 and a declared value at $100 they immediately throw the flag.

 

[johnnyrod]

Convenience costs - it's that simple. I've sold a couple of things using GSP, they were inside Europe though, and bought maybe one or two. Yes it does seem expensive as a buyer - though one from the US looked way too cheap but still arrived (eventually) with no extra charges, still no idea why. What it does give the seller is an instant global market, and a buyer can always message and ask if there's a cheaper way. Trying to work out international postage etc. for every item is a bit of a hassle, and for a buyer, say you see $25 shipping from Japan (non-GSP) then it's a bit of a shot in the dark what other charges you're going to see before it actually arrives.

 

[Sid836]

I avoid buying from US when the GSP is applied. It charges anyone outside US with ridiculously high amounts.
For example, a roll of Vericolor is listed for $6 plus $31.65. It is not just for film but for many more. Also, there have been a couple of times that I have paid with GSP and I had received a regular customs invoice in contrast to "International postage and import charges paid to Pitney Bowes" stated by ebay.

 

[Uncle Bill]

I'm not a fan of the Global Shipping Program as a Canadian customer, because 1) as mentioned above camera gear is duty-free, 2) the packages themselves on some Rube Goldberg-like journey where you wonder if it is collecting airline loyalty points.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Ebay used to show the GSP 'import duty' directly in the auction information (depending on the current bid + shipping).
But now it just says "will be calculated on check out" ...so international buyers are more likely to miss it and wonder why there's a huge second payment on their Ebay purchase going to Pitney Bowes in Kentucky.


Unfortunately Ebay and GSP are making money off this thing so nothing'll get changed. 🙁

 

[Bille]

Evil Bay is always changing their listing format. I now find it impossible to ship from the US to international for a fixed price. They have a Global Shipping program that charges an extremely low price for shipping. However, I've had two foreign buyers who sent me messages saying they wanted to buy my gear but wouldn't because they had been ripped off by Evil bay and the shipping program previously.

Can someone overseas enlighten me?

Are you saying they force GSP on you? Or is it optional?

As a buyer, I found UPS (not USPS) international shipping the quickest and most reliable.

 

[Fixcinater]

I've sold many many things via GSP, yes it is slower and yes they charge for the international leg at a fairly high price but as a seller, it's the only way I will offer international sales after many things "going missing" once out of the US because if it makes it to the relay center, I am covered no matter what happens afterwards.

I have had zero issues with GSP which means I'll keep using it.

 

[johannielscom]

As an overseas buyer, I can say - compared to USPS Priority - it is slow and the customs charges are arbitrary and unnecessary (although this has improved recently). I've had items take over 2 weeks to get here from the U.S. using the GSP. Items that I would have paid no customs fees when shipped through USPS are charged customs fees upfront with the GSP. Sometimes my decision whether to bid/buy is dependent on whether the seller is using GSP or not. In my opinion, the service is a minor convenience for sellers, but is a turn-off to international buyers.

This.

Plus, it can be slow. I had a parcel from the UK take 9 days while just today I received a non-GSP parcel after 3 days.

Also, for international shipping the duties indeed are a bit arbitrary, while I suspect Evilbay to clear customs in bulk at a discount while charging the full amount to the buyer, and pocket the difference. Don't think for one minute this isn't earning them money.

It's a smart move to stimulate local sales platforms (which in due time can have their own price levels) and already earn some extra cash at the same time.

 

[sleepyhead]

This.

Plus, it can be slow. I had a parcel from the UK take 9 days while just today I received a non-GSP parcel after 3 days.

Also, for international shipping the duties indeed are a bit arbitrary, while I suspect Evilbay to clear customs in bulk at a discount while charging the full amount to the buyer, and pocket the difference. Don't think for one minute this isn't earning them money.

It's a smart move to stimulate local sales platforms (which in due time can have their own price levels) and already earn some extra cash at the same time.

YES, SLOW, slow, sloooow shipping from the UK to Denmark with GSP.

I bought an item on Ebay for my wife, intended as a birthday gift, 2 weeks ago and it still has not arrived. Normally, shipping from the UK to Denmark takes 2-3 working days. I did not notice anything about GSP in the item listing, but next time I will look more closely if I want something to arrive within a defined timeframe.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Also, for international shipping the duties indeed are a bit arbitrary, while I suspect Evilbay to clear customs in bulk at a discount while charging the full amount to the buyer, and pocket the difference. Don't think for one minute this isn't earning them money.

All that money goes to Pitney Bowes, not Ebay.

As a buyer you'd want to filter sellers/items connected to GSP ....Of course Ebay would never add such a filter possiblity. 🙁



And you're not as protected as a Seller as you might think; again read all the horror stories on the Ebay community forums.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

This is mainly what gets my goat;
This explains their import tax calculations and why you always pay the full import tax rate on all items (even if they normally have reduced rates like books, or are duty free)

From eBay customer support ('Sam') I got this:

• "It is not possible for sellers or eBay to specify the import classification or duty free status of items when using the Global Shipping Program. The goal of the program is simplicity, so our third party shipper (Pitney Bowes) will determine the shipping costs and import charges for all items. I can tell you that the import charges include certain fees, such as export classification, importation risk premium, and variance fees, which are in addition to any customs duties and taxes imposed by country tax and customs officials. If you feel these charges are excessive or unnecessary, you can always ask the seller to ship the item to you directly, outside of the Global Shipping Program which would give the seller the ability to fill out the customs forms personally. Once the purchase has been completed and the shipping service paid for has been used, we can not refund the costs sent to our 3rd party shipping company."

This is quite incredible. Sam states unapologetically that Pitney Bowes will systematically apply the wrong charges as "It is not possible for sellers or eBay to specify ... duty free status". And then he says "we can not refund the costs .."

Can you tell I hate Ebay GSP yet?

 

[valdas]

I use this (or similar) import duties calculator:

https://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

... and I always know how much import VAT and duties I'll have to pay when I buy from US or Japan and use normal shipping method. I will never gamble with GSP as a buyer (especially after reading all the above comments - especially the risk of paying import duties twice).

 

[jsrockit]

I've sold many many things via GSP, yes it is slower and yes they charge for the international leg at a fairly high price but as a seller, it's the only way I will offer international sales after many things "going missing" once out of the US because if it makes it to the relay center, I am covered no matter what happens afterwards.

I have had zero issues with GSP which means I'll keep using it.

Agreed completely... from when I was a US seller. But as a buyer in Chile now, I wouldn't buy through this method unless desperate.