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?  

[sparrow2207]

Glad it all got sorted for you.

Had one last week which involved the GSP.

I love the way that PB pass parcels off to FedEx to handle delivery to Australia who then in turn readdress and drop into the AP system to actually deliver.  Good on FedEx for only putting half of my actual address on the redirection into the AP system.  Needless to say AP could not deliver a parcel with insufficient address on it or even card me to collect.  If my local PO did not know me and I didn't know how FedEx no longer deliver (unless they need a signature) I would not have gone into my local PO to ask them to check if a parcel was there for me.  They had it out the back in hopes I would ask them and after 2 weeks of my parcel being "missing" I received it.

How the GSP is of any use is beyond me.  The parcels get handled by too many shipping companies in its transit and stuff ups are going to happen.

1. The seller addresses and sends it to PB.

2. PB readdresses it and forwards it to FedEx.

3. FedEx US sends it to FedEx Australia.

3. FedEx Australia readdresses it then drops it into AP system.

And everyone wonders why stuff goes missing and no one will take responsibility for the parcels.  Also you cannot track the parcels once they drop it into the AP systems as they don't update tracking numbers.  Thankfully they do update the messages in the FedEx system so it gives you an idea of where the parcel is BUT I have had some US sellers not provide tracking info when using GSP or only adding it weeks after parcel has been sent (after receipt).

It use to be easy.  You buy and the seller sends directly to you.  A $12 postage from the US now costs about $30 because there are 3 postage charges now to pay (within US, US to Aust and then AP charges).

I really hate the GSP.  A few sellers will post direct but some say they have no choice but if you request an invoice from a US seller they can override the GSP and get your parcel to you at a much cheaper shipping rate.