ebay global shipping

kwondae

Serf
Eric said:
What's your WD collection look like? I have a few spares that I've not yet listed on ebay (and given the way that is going with their new shipping programme I'm starting to wonder if my ebay days are numbered).
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Hello,
I know it's off topic, yet I've been wondering if the global shipping program is is something sellers are happy with.
I really dislike it as an oversea customer (more upfront fees, slower delivery, parcel tracking issues), compared to the regular postal services.
 
Personally I've set some items to use global shipping simply for ease and to save the bother of working out the postage to lots of different locations ahead of making an auction live. That said I quickly discovered that items couldn't combine "global shipping", which was really annoying - some poor sole paying £18 to ship a blister pack and had bought several and we couldn't combine the postage so the shipping was going to be £60! In the end for that one he cancelled the sale and I listed the items as one bundle with my own shipping so it did work out.

These days I try to list items with my own international shipping, but it can be a faff keeping up with the rates - just realised sending of a white dwarf today that the shipping to Spain has gone up another pound so I'm now undercharging!
 
As an occasional ebay seller, all my auctions are set up with GSP. I've sold a few things abroad and noticed that the shipping cost paid by the buyer is often not that different to what they'd pay for Royal Mail international tracked.

The main GSP draw for me is ease and security. I simply ship tracked to the U.K. hub and once it's in their hands, it's their responsibility. Zero hassle with parcels stuck in customs, going missing, returns etc.
 
Citizen Sade said:
Zero hassle with parcels stuck in customs, going missing, returns etc.
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That is the big attractive point from a seller hassle. I had one parcel go missing once and the faff of trying to get someone to take responsibility. Royal Mail in the UK kept telling me I needed to speak to the postal service in the destination country to file a claim, etc. Took me months to get any money back and was probably not worth the cost in time! So going via Pitney Bowes does make that all less hassle and puts the worry about loss back on ebay. Which given they now only make payment after confirmed delivery is a bit more of a concern.

I wish ebay had made their shipping rates stuff neater and easier to setup, it's a pain or was at least to manage. Their new "simple shipping" looks like a total mess, but is I think just UK. You now don't get a choice about who you ship goods with (you can express a preference as the seller). Ebay will determine that for you, generate a label and you have to then take it to a drop-off location. It might go via Royal Mail or might go via EVRI. I tend to avoid EVRI like the plague if possible, whilst our local delivery chap is very nice I've had so much stuff "go missing" at the delivery depot I really don't feel I can trust them. Royal Mail was also super easy since they had (until just now - 30p for collection now) been offering free collection - so buy Tracked48 online and have it collected the next morning - lovely and easy. I've no idea where I might have to go to "drop off" my "simple shipping" parcel, but it's not going to be my front door!

Still as of now my account has not been "converted" so I can still ship how I want, but I expect it'll be changed soon enough. Really going off ebay after the recent changes and I've had my account 24 years now.
 
Yes if you are selling via the GSP then you just need to confirm delivery to the hub, then it's ebay's problem. I don't know if they will do the payout to your account at the point when the parcel reaches the hub or if you have to wait until it reaches the buyer.

The advantage of the delayed payment is I guess it means more stuff will get shipped via tracked services, but it makes me want more control over the shipping not less - which is the direction ebay seems to be heading.
 
I have no real problems with eBay though the delayed payment is confusing. It's meant to cut down on fraud when you pay a seller who then doesn't dispatch but... Nope.. can't see it. that kinda fraud isn't huge and only times I've had problems, eBay/paypal have been able to deal with it no problems. It is creating a huge problem for small sellers like Self-publishers and stuff cause they often can't really afford to wait 2 weeks between paying out shipment and stuff, and getting the money. I think it's probably just a fad thing though
 
I'm currently waiting for 2 items through GSP. Just like previous time, tracking is ok up to the hub (I say ok because delivery notifications to the hub are worded as delivery to my adress), then the tracking isn't updated until the parcels show up.
About the upfront fees, sometimes it's just delivery on top of VAT (which is added to the listing price, sometimes there's also one import fee which is okayish on expensive stuff, but a deal killer on cheap items (like one 5 quids import tax over a 9 quids mini).
Here in France we can't ship with GSP, and ebay doesn't force us (yet ?) to use any single shipping method, I wish it remains that way.
 
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It's bad that GSP is not giving you tracking updates, but VAT and import duties are a French & EU thing. So surely you'd pay them regardless of who's shipping the product from outside of the bloc.

Have you considered put up a wanted post in the private sale/trade board here. Maybe somebody in another EU country has what you're looking for?
 
I find sometimes tracking is better via third party trackers.. not always great just can be better.. I normally use 17track.net.. not the best site around but does the job... often can get more tracking data from royal mail tracked parcels then I can on royal mail's site so... that just shows it has atleast some better coding.

You all have these weird cone-like heads in france right? ^_^;
 
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