Global shipping

[matthew8455]

Why are sellers continuing to use the Global shipping program when it is a blatant rip off and is hurting their prospects of overseas sales? 
I live in Australia and collect a well known English brand product.
Lately, I have been buying less as sellers are sending them by the GSP which charges up to nearly 3 times what the same item would cost via Royal Mail international tracked and signed for air mail. 

For example, I recently looked at a part I needed which weighed only a few grams. The part would have cost me £45 and for it to be sent via GSP would have set me back another £25.92 + an “import charge” of £8.85 bringing the total cost to £79.77

To send it via Royal Mail international tracked would have cost £10.80 and, with the value being under £100, no import charge making the total to me £55.80. 
I have already seen complaints on this forum about Ebay taking a fair amount in fees from seller for the postage and leaving them out of pocket as well. It would seem that the only advantage of the GSP is to Ebay and no one else. 
I hope that more sellers will see the GSP for what it really is and dump it. It would greatly benefit all.

[gutterpunkz05]

Hi Padi,  Any idea why I have a sticker on my screen

[countessalmirena]

GSP is loved by many sellers, hated by many buyers, and has its place.

It is useful for buyers who are prepared to wait for the shipment, and who are not buying something that is in PB’s prohibited list, and who are buying something reasonably bulky OR buying something from a seller who  has input the correct dimensions and weight information, and where the item is not fragile and suffering from the risks of being inadequately repacked by PB…

For buyers where the above points are not met, yes, one can try to negotiate a different postage method, or specify a parcel forwarding address in the seller’s country. Sellers may be resistant to a request to post internationally by other method, as this does open them to risks if the parcel goes astray… and that is an important consideration in these times especially.

I don’t like the GSP and have never used it as a buyer (and I’m a buyer only on eBay), but I can imagine that for some items, it could be worth using. Thus far, if a seller doesn’t offer non-GSP shipping to Australia for what I want to buy, but the item is highly desired by me and there isn’t any reasonable alternative, I’ve gone the parcel forwarder route.

I cannot blame sellers for opting into the GSP. Too many impatient or demanding or cheating buyers, global chaos, usual exigencies of international postage - it all adds up to risk.

I’ve been able to negotiate with international sellers on several occasions, to find a mutually agreeable postage solution, and I think that the way that one communicates makes a big difference.

[padi*0409]

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@gutterpunkz05 wrote:

Hi Padi,  Any idea why I have a sticker on my screen

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OOOPS, maybe I pressed Ctrl F whilst I was looking at mine 'cos mine's disappeared.......

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@padi*0409 wrote:

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@gutterpunkz05 wrote:

Hi  k1ooo.  Very well put together post, 

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I messed up GP 'cos I didn't use red crayon like what k1ooo did.......I'll attempt to improve my ways.....

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well, if the regular poster who uses crayons is going AWOL on a regular basis then someone needs to step up and use colour!  I'm just not as good at it yet.

[*sons_and_daughters*]

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@k1ooo-slr-sales wrote:

when I do sell I do not ship overseas.  I use Buy-It-Now, so I do not miss out on sales because of no international buyers.

I would welcome GSP becoming an Aussie thing for Aussie sellers.  The seller protections would make it worthwhile.

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I would sign up in a heartbeat! Not that I've had many international sales, and all went OK, but I would certainly sign up for it.

What the OP doesn't realise is, for large, bulky items, it's actually way cheaper to have them sent via GSP than regular parcel post from the US or UK. Significantly cheaper. Often more than half the price.

If a seller has say, a pair of earrings, and the postage is saying $120, send them a polite message asking them to put the weight and dimensions into the listing, so you get a more affordable postage cost. I've done it and most are usually very willing to alter the listing. I also point out that I am more than happy for them to send via GSP, but the shipping cost would be dramatically reduced by entering the weight.

[gutterpunkz05]

Hi  K1ooo,   I use crayons all the time,  just mainly black and white.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@gutterpunkz05 wrote:

Hi  K1ooo,   I use crayons all the time,  just mainly black and white.

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Black & White . . . my favourite colours!  GO PIES

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[katistrophik]

I like crayons, Sometimes I play with them for no Good reason.............

[davewil1964]

Go home pies, with their heads low after Monday.

[countessalmirena]

Global Shipping can ship me to a game with Bayern München or Manchester City… Different sort of football.