Global Shipping Program

[the_pooze]

More a Buying than a Selling issue but, certainly relevant to Sellers hence my decision to post on this board.

Recently bought a couple of items from the US (retro NOS car stereo and a Longines watch for my collection, to satisfy the curious among you).  Both were bought exactly 7 days apart and sent via the GSP.

Car stereo arrived within 16 days with full tracking info faithfully displayed in the tracking tool.

Watch has not yet arrived, though it was the first item purchased, and the tracking tool shows it made it as far as Missisippi (from Chicago) and has stalled there.

Seller has been advised and investigated as much as is possible from his end but, finally exasperated (and worried) has suggested I report to eBay for them to investigate as apparently the GSP is their baby.

Interestingly, in trying to lodge an "INR" all I can do is lodge it through PayPal which directs me back to the Seller again.  Being a somewhat suspicious cove, I've decided not to go down that path just yet as I have a $100.00 note I'm prepared to wager that the Seller will just end up getting stung by PayPal for the value of the item and the postage paid by me rather than there being any real investigation.

Instead I have emailed eBay Cust. Support to report the issue, the fact I can't take up the case with the GSP directly and, as the Seller has helped all he can, the Resolution Centre is effectivley useless.  I've also specifically indicated I require the operators of the GSP to either locate and ship the item or reimburse the value of item and postage and NOT the Seller.

As I said, I'm a somewhat suspicious cove so it'll be interesting to see what happens.  Will the GSP be held liable or will they try and nail the Seller or try and avoid the issue altogether?  

[bigbrickshop]

The GSP does dispose of Items that are deemed undeliverable. And they sell them on eBay, using the original listing's title, description and pic!

http://www.ebay.com/usr/international_liquidatorz

[cq_tech]

Did you check how many negs they have for non-delivery?

The sooner eBay get rid of Pitney Bowes the better IMO.

[bigbrickshop]

Yes, and all the comments about poor packaging. I don't use the GSP for any items that may be damaged during a repack. Instead I use a US mail forwarding service.

[2*much*cute*stuff]

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bigbrickshop wrote:

Yes, and all the comments about poor packaging. I don't use the GSP for any items that may be damaged during a repack. Instead I use a US mail forwarding service.

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Which service do you use? I've been thinking of doing this (as I buy a lot from the US) and was wondering if they were any good. 🙂

[bigbrickshop]

I use MyUS and HopShopGo.

MyUS now requires a merchant invoice with every parcel so I don't use it for any purchases from casual sellers on eBay.com as very few provide an invoice with their name and address.

[i-love-my-sheep]

WOW, I consider myself lucky then! I bought a microscope from the US last year and it arrived in its original box with no extra packaging. It just had all the shipping and customs stickers all over it. I had to collect it from the local couriers as I wasn't home when they tried to deliver it. I'd never heard of the GSP at that stage, but the seller said it worked out cheaper and quicker (and to be honest, I did end up getting charged quite a bit less postage than what was quoted on the eBay listing - $US65 as opposed to $US99). From what I've read on here, I'm surprised that it arrived intact, especially the optics!

Given I paid a LOT of money for it, I am glad it didn't get lost/destroyed/liquidated (or even liquefied!).

I have since learned a lot about the GSP after I got told I had to pay well over $100 shipping for 5 Matchbox cars. As I didn't know a way around the GSP then, the lovely seller kindly offered to cancel the transaction for me as he agreed, that was a ridiculous amount to pay, when it should've only been $US18 tops! I've since found out that you can get around it and have combined shipping.

[amber-eyed-girl]

I believe from posts here that the GSP can be cheaper for heavy or bulky items.

[i-love-my-sheep]

I think it was about 18kg packed, so that might explain it. I know it's not worth it for a single Matchbox car ($US27.95)

[the_pooze]

Fun as in pulling teeth with rusty pliers.............

Update thus far.............

Two messages to eBay Customer Service..................no response.

Two emails to Pitney Bowes...................no response.

Lodged PayPal "Not Received" after discussing with the seller and getting his okay.   Provided item number, tracking number and info that Seller had done all within his power to help resolve and issue had to be taken up with PB.

So proud that PP immediately went the Seller after proof he'd sent the item!  (I was sure I'd already given them that information?)

Certainly seems EB and/or PP don't want to go their own parther in PB but, much rather try and ignore the issue to oblivion or beat the poor Seller into submision so they agree to refund just so PP leave them in peace.

Shall continue to update as nothing continues to happen. 

[the_pooze]

Knock me down with a feather!

Got a full refund AND the Seller didn't get stuck holding the baby either!

Mind you, I did finally get a response to my messages to eBay and PB..................

eBay told me it had nothing to do with them and to contact PB.

PB told me it had nothing to do with them and to contact eBay.

hahahahahaha

Crazy but, 1 for the little guys, nil the big Corporates.