Why is the ebay sponsored Global Shipping Program so expensive? Looking elsewhere now

[padraicpaul91]

As  a regular buyer of American products, I am being forced to look elsewhere for them. The ebay shipping program, which unboubtedly is easy for sellers, is prohibitively expensive for lower priced products. A small item is regularly charged at $50. This is more than double what I would charge for the same service, and Australia is The Most Expensive Postal Service in the World.

US sellers, if you want our business, wise up and post the item yourselves.

[trulyspecialgoodies]

Try contacting the sellers and asking if they will ship directly to you - explain how expensive GSP is. I'm sure many of them aren't aware of the cost and just sign up to it because it's available.

[2013tiger1948]

After reading the USA Discussion Boards about Global - it seems that ebay sellers are automatically joined into participating. They have to actually opt out of the service. Some of the Sellers only find out about the cost when the overseas buyer contact them.

So I suggest you contact the seller and ask them to post themselves - I've found that many are willing to do that.

[the_great_she_elephant]

I recently wanted to buy a small inexpensive item from US, but the postage using GSPwould have been way over the top. I contacted the seller who was horrified to find out how much I would have to pay and revised the i nvoice to show the standard  USPS rate.  It hasn't arrived yet - its only been a few days - but when it doesyou can bet they will be getting a glowing feedback.

[seadragon110]

Yup!  Used to buy regularly from US, but the GSP is making it increasingly more difficult.  Even more frustrating is that many sellers don't fully understand (or are aware) of the full costs for the buyer.  I had one seller tell me adamantly that shipping for a small item was only about $3US  (their component to ship within US), but the full GPS price skimmed by USEbay was over $27.  Although sellers can opt out/make changes, I think inexperienced sellers find it too difficult.

[padraicpaul91]

Thank you to all respondents.

I hadn't thought such a system as the GSP would be the default option.

That would not be allowed under current consumer laws in Australia. Soon though.

I shall heed advice and contact sellers about other options.

[davewil1964]

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@padraicpaul91 wrote:

Thank you to all respondents.

I hadn't thought such a system as the GSP would be the default option.

That would not be allowed under current consumer laws in Australia. Soon though.

I shall heed advice and contact sellers about other options.

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I'm fairly sure that US sellers are not, and will never be, subject to Australian consumer laws. Soon what?

[gasmen1]

Why are we forced to use this Global Shipping System ? This system sucks. I just purchased 2 items from the same seller that were 4.5cm round by 0.5cm thick and was forced to pay 2 shipping payments of US$21 for each item. USPS would have cost about US$14  for the both items. The seller did not even know that I was charged for shipping as they were not charged any shipping costs and thought that shipping was free. You should have the choice of how your items are shipped not forced to pay these rip off prices. Who in Ebay do we complain to ?  NOT HAPPY.

[lyndal1838]

We in Australia are not forced to use the GSP....only sellers in ths USA and UK can use it.

Ebay does tend to enter sellers into the system without telling them, but they do not have to stay in it.

For the most part they like it though as it gives sellers automatic tracking and insurance and no paperwork to fill in for overseas shipping.

[zanadoo_56]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

We in Australia are not forced to use the GSP....only sellers in ths USA and UK can use it.

Ebay does tend to enter sellers into the system without telling them, but they do not have to stay in it.

For the most part they like it though as it gives sellers automatic tracking and insurance and no paperwork to fill in for overseas shipping.

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Some of them in the US really hate that paperwork too, and have stated they couldn't care less how much the GSP costs overseas buyers.

Two instances recently.

One seller happy to forgo GSP and I got my item.

The other seemingly happy to do the same then....nothing.  My guess is she has changed her mind.  Drat it.  I was happy to buy her two items.  Both are still unsold, now she has even lowered the prices and there are still no takers...not even in the US. You've got to laugh as how desperate some sellers are to avoid OS sales paperwork and the steps they will take.  Luckily I've already found a suitable replacement....with no GSP to bother about.