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Posted

Just a note to all eBay sellers.

If you are selling something on eBay, and are shipping it under the Global Shipping Program where Pittney Bowes pockets a nice little sum by overestimating "import duties and fees" and pocketing the excess..then please note I WILL NOT BE BIDDING ON YOUR ITEMS.

This goes for any seller, and any item. You use that program, you lose myself and many other international bidders.

 

Just wanted to post this, since I am currently furious over having to pay $54 shipping and "duties" on a small hardware item that should have cost me $15 shipping and $6 clearing/duties. If you are a seller, please do not sign up for this program.

 

:steamed: :bang: :steamed:

 

Brian

Posted

It may work out cheaper for people in the UK as we have to pay £13.50 customs processing fee + duty/vat etc. So if we can pay the customs charge upfront we would save the £13.50 straight away...

Posted

No Peter, because PB charges you all the fees you would have paid, plus extra. Check out the estimated charges on any auction using the program.

Trust me, that £13.50 is well included.

Also, for those that snipe, you see one estimated charge, and a VERY different one when you wake up the next morning by the time the auction is over. :evil:

I think the GSP might work out beneficial for large parcels of high value. But for all of those small parcels and ones that would have gone through as gifts or no customs because of low value, we are being ripped off.

 

Brian

Posted

Here's another example. Let's say I felt inclined to purchase this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/18th-C-GOOD-HOT ... 2ecc2a4030

No matter that customs might let it through that day with zero charges, as it is a small parcel. Or might only charge me a clearing fee. eBay and P.B. have decided that I must pay close to $150 for shipping and GSP charges.

Your quote will differ, based on your location. (No, I didn't buy this, but it is an example of antiques listed under the program)

Maybe I don't want to pay clearing and customs from my Paypal account. Maybe I want to pay them directly here. The fact is, I have no choice.

Sorry, but no. Not shopping if you use this service.

 

Brian

Posted

Check the auction above. It has a section under the shipping charge, and also a logo with "No additional import charges at delivery!

This item will be shipped through the Global Shipping Program and includes international tracking."

 

Brian

Posted

Thanks for the walk through Brian. On close examination its a license to print money, even in their 'things to know', they list all sorts of extras which you have already signed up to, but won't know about until you see your payment. You're pretty savvy and if you've been caught, people like me would be sitting ducks.

 

Does a seller opt for this service, or is it tagged to the sale like it or not?

 

The only plus point I think is that it is a visible service offered, so can be avoided by those in the know.

 

Cheers Denis.

Posted

Wow. What a joke! I am with you Brian! I know for a fact that I would never pay $93 bucks in customs fees to have those shipped from the states to canada. I would pay the $34 and have the menuki within a week. The idea makes sense (display "additional customs fees" up front before payment and lower dispute rates).. However most people don't ALWAYS pay import fees (even high ticket items) and as such this shouldn't be a mandatory option for auctions that have this "feature". There should be a choice.

Posted

heres what i get when SA is slected

 

Shipping and handling

This item will ship to South Africa, but the seller has not specified shipping options. Contact the seller and request a shipping method to your location.

Shipping cost cannot be calculated. Please enter a valid ZIP Code.

 

 

Shipping and handling Import charges (estimated) To Service Delivery*

US $46.34 $101.79 South Africa International Priority Shipping Estimated between Tue. Dec. 10 and Mon. Dec. 16

* Estimated delivery dates include seller's handling time, and will depend on shipping service selected and receipt of cleared payment. Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods.

Posted

I think they added the GSP to all sellers, and then you have to specifically opt out.

But of course, for many sellers, it is easy for them, they don't have to do much. I think they ship to a US depot and the international shipping is handled from there. Of course Pitney Bowes decides what the tarrif code is, and there is no such thing as gift. It's all very convenient for sellers....they don't have to worry about paying a lot more. And in that extra customs charge will be the Paypal fees for PB accepting their funds and every extra they can think of. Nice for them...someone must have been very happy to land this contract :steamed:

Oh well...no choice. I'm paying the $65 shipping and duties for a few small milling cutters, and then making sure from now on sellers know why they are losing bidders.

 

Brian

 

Just realized..with the fees not negotiable or changeable, you can't even tell the seller to ship to a friend in the USA. The fees are automatically calculated by your location. Sheesh.

Posted

Have someone else buy them for you Brian and ship them to you. You have friends all over the world. I have no doubt there are people here, such as myself, that would be happy to help you out from time to time.

Posted

if you see something you want ...that goes for anyone out side the states ...i do offer buying for friends. Sorry not for foes LOL LOL

 

edit

see Chris post a sec ahead of mine

Posted

That works for big and planned purchases...but not really worth the effort when you are just shopping for a milling cutter or something small on the spur of the moment. Hard to snipe and monitor final prices and plan bidding strategy when you are using someone else to purchase it. Also...you then have to cover Paypal fees to them too. Raises costs.

For Nihonto stuff, I always ask Stephen if there is a problem with shipping. But thanks guys. It's more a matter of principle :)

 

 

Brian

Posted

Brian

 

Would it not be an idea, to re-post your very strong initial post, on the eBay Buyer/Seller forum?

 

Also check the forum, to see if there are any strong feelings already posted!

 

And should it be needed I would add comments, as would others.

Posted

Denis,

Did that already on multiple posts on their forums. There are hundreds of negative comments about this on their forums since it was intro'd in July.

But typicaly, because eBay makes money from it, and has the monopoly, they just don't care. :roll:

Most large sellers also dont care, as they couldn't be bothered to ship internationally otherwise and don't see the lost sales.

 

Brian

Posted

eBay is slipping big time. My beef is more and more deadbeat buyers and there is basically nothing you can do about it. Can't even leave a negative feedback. I just encountered a message during listing today saying something like "do not use negative messages in your description such as 'you must follow my policy, etc' to discourage buyers from using eBay....blah blah blah." I have sold the same item 4 times now, every time none paying buyers, and I can't even say 'serious buyers only?' eBay treats sellers like crap and sellers are the ones keeping it going (13% commission and up on every sell). However, now I see international buyers are getting screwed too. I had no idea you guys have to pay so much fees afterwards. I admit I used Global Shipping Programs and it seemed very convenient because I just have to ship the package to an US location and not worry about the rest. I can even print out shipping labels at home and have the packages picked up for free. I guess there is another side to the story. Now I will offer the additional Int. shipping option where actual shipping is charged. May be more trouble for me to calculate the exact shipping but at least Int. buyers aren't throwing their money away, and I know someone is getting filthy rich from this. Maybe it's time for a new online auction company all together. Monopolizing is never good.

 

James

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

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