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.  

[cq_tech]

Christine, US eBay sellers who wish to sell internationally are not required to use the GSP. Sure, it is enabled by default but as you can clearly see from chezzy's post above yours, it is a very simple matter for you to opt out of the GSP if you wish, and send your items via UPS or USPS yourself, at greatly reduced postal rates.

If you continue listing with GSP, your international sales will plummet to almost zero because of Pitney Bowes' exorbitant shipping charges, and overseas buyers will simply purchase instead from sellers who have already opted out of the GSP.

[oz-engines]

Yeah, this totally sux, i have just been refused from buying from three different sellers because I dare question their postage methods. I think they have been dumbed down by eBay or the sellers are just dumb.

The seller should be able to post how ever they want, this is the first time I have been refused by a buyer, yet alone three buyers in the one night.

Get you act together eBay and stop being to bloody money hungry.

[oz-engines]

Most US sellers are either dumb or have been dumbed down by eBay.

[davewil1964]

Most US sellers utilise the GSP because it gives them seller protection, and they don't realise the costs to buyers. Also, US sellers who would not normally post OS can with this system.

So, talk to the seller and see if they will post outside of the GSP.

I am amazed, however. This has been in place for at least 18 months, and you've only just realised it. You can hardly be classified as a regular buyer on that evidence, so maybe you should be asking questions rather than spraying. Or reading the numerous threads on this issue and utilising the workarounds shwon therein.

[mclean2612]

Sadly my story is the same, paid a ridiculous amount to ship some bakelite poker chips (light and small) it was about $30 postage. My seller promptly sent them to the shipping centre, I tracked the package all the way until it showed up "delivered" at Strawberry Hills. But it was never delivered to me. Contacting Aus Post was useless, they said "contact the seller". He can't do anything - he's fulfilled his side of the bargain. It was done by Fedex but then went missing as it got handed to Aus Post. My only option has been to file a case with PayPal. I feel Ebay is really using this to double-dip on postage. Really, really poor. The worst thing is that no-one was informed about this! I buy from the US regularly as supplies for my small business are much cheaper there. No more! There goes that idea. So angry!

[*crikey*mate*]

How are eBay double dippuing on postage via the GSP?

[davewil1964]

Duuhhh.

Because anything that costs a buyer is obviously ebay's fault. And any charges the buyer incurs are therefore eBay's fault.

And any buyer doesn't normally pay any fees so the point is obvious - the 'member' has no idea.

[j*oono]

That's a little bit unfair Davewil.

US sellers have the same restrictions as Australian sellers do.  Aussie sellers have to post their items with trackable means to insure themselves for Paypal.  All this click and send etc does my head in.

I've never bothered because my items have never been that high priced that I can't afford to wear the cost if the item doesn't arrive and my postage costs have been low when they weren't free postage.  I wonder why everyone thinks that the person at the other end of the transaction is dishonest?

[mclean2612]

Because there's obviously a kick-back received by Ebay from Pitney-Bowes. After all, they stand to send a lot more business their way. The charges for re-packaging and re-labelling items are ludicrous. If the seller sends directly to you, this isn't an issue.