Why are GSP estimates always lower than actual cost?
Summary: ekrabappel initiated a discussion questioning why GSP (Gross State Product) estimates are often lower than the actual costs. padi*0409 and twyngwyn engaged in the conversation, but the details of their responses are not provided. The conversation seems to revolve around exploring possible reasons for discrepancies between estimates and actual figures. The responses indicate an ongoing dialogue, possibly examining economic factors, methodologies, or data collection issues related to GSP estimations.
Hi folks,
I'm looking at 2 photo albums from the UK and wanted to ask the seller if they had entered the exact weight and size as the GSP cost was exactly the same for both items and on the more expensive side (£28.57 in the search as shipping estimate). When I select the item the GSP price is now £34.39 + £6.58 import charges so £40.97 for 1 photo album. Why such a low estimate? I don't think I've ever come across a case where the actual cost is less. Is this some shonky trick by EBay where sellers see the postage in the search results and go ahead with the purchase without realising the cost has risen substantially? I mean, EBay know it is me doing the search and I'm in Australia so why can't I see the actual price on the search listing? It can't be that hard.
twyngwyn
·1 year agohttps://www.ebay.com.au/help/buying/postage-delivery/changing-delivery-address-method/international-purchases-postage-buy?id=4057#:~:text=Buying%20from%20sellers%20using%20the%20Global%20Shipping%20Program,-If%20your%20seller&text=You'll%20pay%20all%20postage,when%20your%20item%20is%20delivered
ekrabappel
OP1 year agoNot sure what you are trying to say by posting a link about how the GSP works. How does the contents of the link explain why the postage cost provided in the search results is always around 30% lower than the actual cost which is displayed by a click on the item description?
twyngwyn
·1 year agofrom the link:
When you pay, your payment will be split into two transactions:
How far have you gone with the transaction? Are the items in your cart?
ekrabappel
OP1 year agoI haven't even gone ahead with the transaction. When I do a search a see an estimated shipping cost in the search results. When I click to see the actual item the postage cost is about 30% more. I haven't purchased or added anything to a cart.
ekrabappel
OP1 year agoScreen shots of different postage costs.
twyngwyn
·1 year agois it because it's an auction with a BIN?
ekrabappel
OP1 year ago@Padi*0409 - If the seller has no control over what GSP sets for shipping, then how does GSP know if the seller wishes to ship a feather or a 200lb concrete block? Surely the seller must input the weight and dimensions for the item that GSP will ship? If so, then yes, the seller does control what the GSP sets for shipping for each item.
padi*0409
·1 year agoYes sellers do input dimensions and weight into the postage options, BUT the GSP will often repackage the items to make them smaller/lighter.
That does not mean the the seller sets the GSP's postage price..............
ekrabappel
OP1 year agoYes, the GSP will repackage the items but any savings from repackaging will go into the pockets of GSP, not the buyer, so as far as the postage cost paid by the buyer, it is set by the weight and dimensions input by the seller. Any repackaging or combining of items by GSP once the buyer has paid the postage is irrelevant.
padi*0409
·1 year agoThe seller in the UK has no control over the price that the GSP sets for shipping, as far as they're aware the item is only going to an address in the UK, not to you in Australia.