not buying from US any more - global shipping too much

[bluestocking2]

I am finding I can't buy from US any more. This global shipping program (an ebay scheme?) has added so much onto the cost, as everything has to be "priority shipping" at least, where sellers before would charge for just the first class airmail. So instead of paying say $16 for a mid-weight garment or pair of shoes, it's $33 and upward. And sellers subscribing to this scheme can't adjust or change anything for you.  Tough luck to them - because I used to buy a lot from the US.  

[davewil1964]

Your conjecture would, of course, be more accurate than the first hand evidence of the vastly experienced recipient members.

Neither of whom is likely to have misinterpreted the postage method.

[lyndal1838]

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@afantiques wrote:

I am so glad to see someone else who had their item sent through the USPS when they paid for the Priority service of the GSP.

It happened to me several times in the very early days of the program but I was howled down when I said so....I was told in no uncertain terms that I was "mistaken" (a polite way of saying I was a liar).

As explained above, if the item the poster refers to had been repackaged, it could not have come by USPS. The most probable cause of your misapprehension was one label stuck on top of another. Or a seller sending direct.  The GSP does not use any USPS services, but the seller may well use USPS to send the item to Kentucky.

I'm not saying you are a liar, just that you took a quick look at the package, saw USPS and left it at that.

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Not so....it happened more than once and I am experienced enough in USPS shipping to know what happened.

And I can definitely say that my last package was handed to Australia Post to deliver to me.

I received a phone call from FedEx to ask if my address was correct as AP said the package was undeliverable due to incorrect address.  FedEx duly delivered it and there was indeed an AP sticker on the parcel stating Incorrect Address.

While I am sure you are correct about the theory of the workings of the GSP, there is plenty of evidence that ebay processes do not always work the way they are supposed to.

Please do not tell me I don't know what I am talking about...in the cases I have stated I DO know what happened.

[cjm2589]

Well, after reading so many bad reports about the GSP I had thought I would stay away from listings with GSP services from the USA

Earlier today I saw this listing http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Original-Pentax-K1000-Manual-w-other-Accessory-Option-/350221560083?pt=US... which has US$57 postage charge.  US$57 to post a lightweight camera manual measuring about 15cmx13.5cm and is only 2mm thick and weighs 30g.  It confirmed my decision to avoid GSP listings from the USA.

Then, I see this listing not long before it ended http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261440919111?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 for a camera with body case.  The postage showed as US$27.03 including the GSP charges, and the camera with case weighs about 1kg.  So I thought I'd give it a shot so that I can see firsthand how the system works for me.

I took a closer look at the listing and I think the key to the low GSP postage on the camera is that the seller had FREE POSTAGE to mainland USA.  This means I am not paying anything to get the item to Pitney Bowes.  I'll be interested to see how long it takes to get to me, and how it gets delivered.  I had to change my address from a PO Box to a street address, so I just changed it to my work address.

Spoiler

not sure about the Black leather colour on the camera, I may have to get it changed! 

[i-once-was-bump]

I bought a metal shopping trolley from a US seller on Monday and they had some listings with USPS and others with GSP and I chose the USPS because the postage was about $50 aud where as the GSP was listed at $127.00 aud which was more than I paid for trolley and postage.

I do hope I don't have to go to Austria or Alaska to collect the item but eagerly await its arrival. The last shopping trolley I bought from the US came here via Qantas business class so this is really, really, cheap compared to that one.LOL

[davewil1964]

Can't you just get one from Coles or Woolies or Aldi? Or you local stormwater drain/carpark/nature reserve?

Would save a heap of CO into the atmosphere compared to flying one from the US.

[padi*0409]

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@davewil1964 wrote:

Can't you just get one from Coles or Woolies or Aldi? Or you local stormwater drain/carpark/nature reserve?

Would save a heap of CO into the atmosphere compared to flying one from the US.

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Yes, but who would want to push a swamp-encrusted trolley even into the Red Dot store when you could go anywhere with a nice shiney Walmart one......

(but without those "Walmart People" in it.....................yeeeek........)

Hmmm........... ......m p hum..............

[weez_1963]

I recently contacted a buyer who had GSP listed & for a handful of film cells it quoted $30 (totally ridiculous), however within their listing they stated shipping to Aus was $2.95. I contacted them to query the postage pricing & ask if I purchased more than 1 set of cells what the cost would be, the answer $2.95 up to 10 listings of film cells (these would have still fit in a standard envelope) funny thing though the seller had no idea what price was listed for GSP postage on his listing. I told them what I would be purchasing & went ahead & BIN & to my horror the shipping total was $81 not the $2.95 I was quoted. I requested a new invoice reflecting what we had agreed, but he couldn't do this as the seller has no control over an invoice when GSP is used. Even worse the seller wanted me to pay this exhorbitant amount but he wouldn't be able to refund the difference as all postage went to ebay, I politely refused. I contacted ebay over this & they explained that combined shipping was not available & that since the seller didn't untick the GSP box that the only way out of this was to cancel the transaction which is what we did. I still wanted to purchase the cells but unfortunately the whole scenario had been a bit too much for the seller & they wouldn't list the items I wanted in a listing just for me. The outcome, the seller lost a sale & I lost out on buying what I wanted.

The lesson learnt here is when now dealing with a US seller using GSP make sure they understand to untick the GSP box before I bid or BIN.

I can only imagine how many sales are being lost due to the GSP.

[weez_1963]

I recently contacted a buyer who had GSP listed & for a handful of film cells it quoted $30 (totally ridiculous), however within their listing they stated shipping to Aus was $2.95. I contacted them to query the postage pricing & ask if I purchased more than 1 set of cells what the cost would be, the answer $2.95 up to 10 listings of film cells (these would have still fit in a standard envelope) funny thing though the seller had no idea what price was listed for GSP postage on his listing. I told them what I would be purchasing & went ahead & BIN & to my horror the shipping total was $81 not the $2.95 I was quoted. I requested a new invoice reflecting what we had agreed, but he couldn't do this as the seller has no control over an invoice when GSP is used. Even worse the seller wanted me to pay this exhorbitant amount but he wouldn't be able to refund the difference as all postage went to ebay, I politely refused. I contacted ebay over this & they explained that combined shipping was not available & that since the seller didn't untick the GSP box that the only way out of this was to cancel the transaction which is what we did. I still wanted to purchase the cells but unfortunately the whole scenario had been a bit too much for the seller & they wouldn't list the items I wanted in a listing just for me. The outcome, the seller lost a sale & I lost out on buying what I wanted.

The lesson learnt here is when now dealing with a US seller using GSP make sure they understand to untick the GSP box before I bid or BIN.

I can only imagine how many sales are being lost due to the GSP.

[i-once-was-bump]

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@davewil1964 wrote:

Can't you just get one from Coles or Woolies or Aldi? Or you local stormwater drain/carpark/nature reserve?

Would save a heap of CO into the atmosphere compared to flying one from the US.

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I am a trolley snob, I have to have something different, ie swivel front wheels and it holds a massive 150lbs (I think that is good).

I have been buying a similar style of trolley form Howard's Storage for many years and they are about $180 each but I haven't been able to get the model I want anymore. (I am a pedestrian so a trolley only lasts about a year of my sort of use)

The one I bought from a New York deli that came via business class did actually have a business man attached to the carry handle of the box so I just make good use of the generous luggage allowance.LOL

[irishdragon2]

When the seller uses GSP and the shipping price is listed on the item as $31, do they then add all the fees and import duties costs to the $31?  Or is that the shipping price I will pay?

I have messaged two sellers asking if they would send items without GSP and didn't get a reply from either. I wonder if Ebay deliberately didn't pass on my message.

[davewil1964]

I believe the GSP price is inclusive of shipping and customs fees. Apparently for larger or heavier items it is quite good, but not for small stuff.

A lot of US sellers seem to not realise they have opted into the system, and a lot would not sell internationally otherwise, so if sellers don't respond it is a fair bet they are not interested in selling to you.