WARNING to all AUSSIE Buyers

[barneywomble]

I would like to take this opportunity to warn all Australian eBay buyers about a serious problem that exist when purchasing items from eBay USA and paying for "Priority" International Postage through the Global Shipping Program.

I recently made 2 purchases from eBay USA from 2 different sellers. On both the listings it clearly stated the postage method was "Priority" International Postage. When I clicked on the "see details" link underneath the postage section on the listing it confirmed the service I was paying for was indeed "Priority" International Postage. (I have screen shots of both the listing and the Postage details to verify this). So I went ahead and paid for the items and the "Priority" International Postage via PAYPAL. ONce this was completed I clicked on the "view order details" link for each of the 2 purchases and it also confirmed the postage as being "Priority" International Postage. I was given a number of tracking numbers and eventually the items were dispatched from the USA via FEDEX where another tracking number was provided for the international leg of the postage from the USA to Australia. Now to my horror on checking those FEDEX tracking numbers they provide detailed information including the method of delivery which in both cases showed "ECONOMY" International Postage. (I have screen shots verifying this) I contatced FEDEX directly regarding this and they responed via email stating the eBay shipments via the Global Shipping Program are dispatched via "ECONOMY" International Shipping (I have screen shots of this email).

I contatced eBay regarding this matter and then began an amazing "run a round" of companies and responabilities and confusing wording all leading to the point that if an Australian buyer purchases an item from eBay in the USA and pays for "Priority" International Postage through the Global Shipping Program then the items are shipped "ECONOMY" irrispective of the payment made for postage. Apart from the fact that it appears to be completely unfair to clearly advertise a service, pay for that service and not get that service it appears to raise a number of serious legal issues within eBay and its partners.

When I paid for my items from the USA the "shipping or postage" portion, the amount I paid for the "Priority" International Postage was sent to PItney Bowes as they are the legal entity responsible for the Global Shipping Program and a simple check of my PAYPAL account verified a portion of my payment indeed did go to Pitney Bowes. I contatcted them directly and asked them why when I paid for "Priority" International Postage did they not arrange for the items to be shipped that way and I was immediately met with a wall of silence and was told to contact eBay. Pitney Bowes and the Global Shipping Program stand to make millionsof dollars of the backs of hard working Australians if they are charging us for a "Priority" International Postage service but using an "ECONOMY" postage service which is of course CONSIDERABLY CHEAPER and SLOWER. I had posted these concerns along with the screen shots on eBay.com facebook page and they were immediately removed and I guess because I was correct and the less people who know about it the better.

If you are an Australian eBayer and have purchased an item from eBay USA and you paid for "Priority" International Postage through the Global Shipping Program please CHECK with the actual carrier (it will probably be FEDEX and see how your items were shipped. If they were not shipped using a "Priority" International Postage Service you are by law entitled to be reimbursed for the difference between the "Priority" International Postage you paid for and the "ECONOMY" service actually used. I will of course be contacting the revelent a number of media outlets both here in Australia and in the USA and I will also get a facebook campaign up and running to promote awareness for this disgusting business practice.

[porcelain_dolls_by_me]

Fact is that "Economy" service by FedEx will probably get delivered quicker than a shipment by USPS Priority Mail International

[barneywomble]

Replying to:michellebartley,

Its not a "grumble" I paid for a priority service and recieved an economy service. I am quite sure if you paid for something an did not get what you paid for you would find it annoying. After digging a little deeper I discovered this practice to be wide spread and there are quite a large number of Australian buyers who are being illegally ripped off. And, something does need to be done about it.

[barneywomble]

After contacting the Global Shipping Program this was the response I recieved. I replied and recieved no response. Almost a week later I recieved a new response from a different person which is also below.  To say I am dumfounded would be an understatement. Here is a company that clearly states that the term PRIORITY "as used by them" is a term which they define as being reliable and cost effective and is to be dispatched using an ECONOMY service with FEDEX. OH MY GOD! How an earth does the Global Shipping Program describe as an Economy Service

Regarding Item # 112860874607, ( OREUSA11173356767AU ) SR#1-164401000539

Hello,

My name is Kurt with the Global Shipping Program. Our shipping partners, PitneyBowes, informed us that there is a concern with your order and the shippingservices that were advertised and eventually used. We here at eBay handle all ofthe customer service with Global Shipping Program transactions and would be gladto answer any questions you may have and resolve your concerns.

I can understand your frustration here. We do put "International PriorityShipping" on the site when an item is eligible for the Global ShippingProgram.  

Thisterm is not meant to define a specific service used by a certain carrier, butmeant to convey that our Global Shipping services will use the most reliableservice at the best price to ship locally.  Balancing cost and speed iswhat we mean by "Priority"

Int he case of your shipment, this meant using Fedex's "Economy" service as they define it.

Withall this being said, I can understand the concern and I have raised this to ourbusiness unit so we can discuss a better option for conveying the service. Restassured that we do want you to be dissatisfied so we do put the estimateddelivery date of the order before checking out. This order was estimated to bedelivered by June 26th as advertised prior to checkout and you did receive it before this date with the services advertised.  

I can appreciate and understand your perspective as the buyer when looking at theshipping details. I shop on the site as well and will always be an advocate forour buyers. Please accept my sincere apology for the confusion all of this caused. Your voice will be heard.
 
Please reply to this email as I want to make sure you are completely taken care of today.

Have a wonderful rest of your day, and thanks for choosing eBay!

KurtF.

eBayCustomer Service

[THREAD ID: 1-164401000539]

eBay Document ID: 58286909009

RE: Re: Regarding Item # 112860874607, ( OREUSA11173356767AU ) SR# 1-164401000539



Hello,

Thank you for reaching back out to us for this transaction, I'd be happy to help with this. My name is Josh, another specialist in our Global Shipping Program.

I am so sorry to hear your frustration, I can understand why you would have a different perception on the words that have been used to describe the shipping. We always want transactions to be a great experience for everyone, and it saddens us to hear when this doesn't happen. We are always grateful for feedback from customers, this inspires changes for us.

Because the speed the shipping with current shipping will remain the same for now, we wanted to make sure you were taken care of by getting the item. Thankfully you have got it within that estimated time, and it can now be enjoyed. Kurt and I were even discussing how nifty of purchase this was, it looks like a great find!

Thank you again for your time and understanding, please be sure to enjoy a nice rest of your day!

Josh J.
Global Shipping Specialist

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

quote from Kurt's response to OP:

"Restassured that we do want you to be dissatisfied so we do put the estimateddelivery date of the order before checking out."

Well, that explains the GSP in simple terms!

[4channel]

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@marwi5023 wrote:
GSP is a rort

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That and more marwi5023 . It makes me wonder why people persist in defendinmg this rort. Guess they hope for a pat on the head. It's ruined a lot of my enjoyment.  We long for the good old days of Ebay.

[lyndal1838]

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@k1ooo-slr-sales wrote:

quote from Kurt's response to OP:

"Restassured that we do want you to be dissatisfied so we do put the estimateddelivery date of the order before checking out."

Well, that explains the GSP in simple terms!

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I had to go back and read that sentence a couple of times to make sure I was not misreading.

Apart from that clanger I feel the explanation of the GSP is quite reasonable.....if you are happy with a slow service that takes your parcel on a Cooks tour of the USA before even dispatching it to Australia and want to pay a fortune for the disservice.

[digital*ghost]

So it is exactly as I presumed... eBay decide what is displayed, not Pitney Bowes, and they agree they have failed to convey the service standard appropriately but will look into changing it to better reflect the service PB actually use. (I wouldn't be tempted to hold my breath on that, though ).

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@4channel wrote:

That and more marwi5023 . It makes me wonder why people persist in defendinmg this rort. Guess they hope for a pat on the head. It's ruined a lot of my enjoyment.  We long for the good old days of Ebay.

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if by 'people' you mean regular posters than I think you are way off base.

I don't like the way the GSP was implemented, or the sometimes outrageous costs for small items, or the fact that items do a cooks tour of the USA on their way to Erlanger, or the fact that some items I have bought that shipped via GSP appeared to have not been repacked by Pitney Bowes, or the fact that sometimes items I have bought that used the GSP seemed to spend a lot of time at Alexandria (Sydney) before making their way to me via courier.

I know that many regulars who post here refuse to buy items that use the GSP.

However, I know there are members like me who can work with sellers to make the GSP a viable option for shipping.  I do this by communicating with and educating sellers about how to correctly list their items if using the GSP on their items.

I am also into self improvement . . . . i.e. becoming a more patient person and being realistic about delivery times from the other side of the world . . . . . and being more tolerant of your posts on the topic of the GSP as I can see that you struggle with it despite others saying they can work with it and it is not all bad . . . . and not losing my cool when you repeat your experienes over and over and over again . . . . . but if I have to read about the rare, once in a lifetime opportunity video tapes that were poorly repacked by Pitney Bowes I may well go back to being a grumpy old pr!ck and let fly a tirade like never witnessed before on these boards.

Apart from that, I think you have misjudged those who post alternate views about the GSP as we are not defending it, we are trying to educate other members.

Spoiler

sorry to read that the GSP has ruined your enjoyment of your eBaying experience . . . . . if I could post a pat-on-the-back reassuring emoji that conveyed a "there there" sentiment I would . . . . . but I can't, so a reassuring "buck up, it'll be okay" will have to suffice 

[marwi5023]

4channel, maybe if you can get an American dictionary.
Priority in America is the exorbitant charges that one adds to economy services so that they can justify the cost

[4channel]

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@k1ooo-slr-sales wrote:

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@4channel wrote:

That and more marwi5023 . It makes me wonder why people persist in defendinmg this rort. Guess they hope for a pat on the head. It's ruined a lot of my enjoyment.  We long for the good old days of Ebay.

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Apart from that, I think you have misjudged those who post alternate views about the GSP as we are not defending it, we are trying to educate other members.

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Well, k1ooo-slr-sales  =, maybe you are doing the right thing and I don't doubt that all.. But, you are not one of those bullies that regularly frequent here and take delight in attacking those who speak out against bad sellers or Pitney Bowes / Global shipping. They are  like a small herd of pihranas.