Why are GSP estimates always lower than actual cost?

[ekrabappel]

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.  

[padi*0409]

The 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.

[ekrabappel]

@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]

Yes 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]

Yes, 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.

[twyngwyn]

https://www.ebay.com.au/help/buying/postage-delivery/changing-delivery-address-method/international-...

[ekrabappel]

Not 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]

from the link:

When you pay, your payment will be split into two transactions:

• The first payment goes to the seller to cover the item price and any domestic postage costs to send the item to the global shipping provider
• The second payment covers the international postage cost, processing charges and any import charges (including any applicable GST)

How far have you gone with the transaction? Are the items in your cart?

[ekrabappel]

I 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]

Screen shots of different postage costs.