Inflated International Shipping on Ebay

death_hawk wrote: ↑ If it was shipped via Global Shipping, the $4.30 only covers shipping from the seller to Pitney Bowes. From there, they bring it over the border and give it to Canada Post which incurs additional costs.
There would be no taxes due to the value of the item.

International shipping isn't cheap, especially when Canada is involved.

CanadaJimmy wrote: ↑ In future, it's worth messaging sellers beforehand and asking if they will ship directly to Canada instead of using the GSP. Usually much cheaper that way,

unclefester wrote: ↑ Wise words...

Don't get me started on the eBay Global shipping program.

I ALWAYS contact U.S. sellers & explain to them that the eBay Global shipping program is a burden to foreign buyers.

I ask them if they can simply ship to me directly.

Some of our American friends will comply with my wishes.

Others - many of the eBay lifers think they have to ship via the Global system.

They don't have to at all. But eBay has a lot of them "brain washed" so to speak.

It is always worth the little bit of extra effort to try to have it shipped directly to you.

Always.

That's what they did in the old day.

Cut out the eBay bogus middle man.

CanadaJimmy wrote: ↑In future, it's worth messaging sellers beforehand and asking if they will ship directly to Canada instead of using the GSP. Usually much cheaper that way,

unclefester wrote: ↑ Don't get me started on the eBay Global shipping program.

I ALWAYS contact U.S. sellers & explain to them that the eBay Global shipping program is a burden to foreign buyers.

I ask them if they can simply ship to me directly.

It is always worth the little bit of extra effort to try to have it shipped directly to you.

Always.

That's what they did in the old day.

Cut out the eBay bogus middle man.

death_hawk wrote: ↑ Am i the only one that has never found anything I'm going to purchase that's been cheaper shipped direct over GSP?
Someone mentioned in another thread about a low value shirt which was valid, but for anything I've purchased (usually $20+ and not fragile but not "cram into an envelope")
The only downside to GSP for me is speed. But I'll take cheap over fast usually.


I'm the exact opposite. I basically never buy unless it Is GSP.



Maybe it's the stuff I buy, but since introduction I've never actually had anything that's been cheaper shipped direct over GSP.
I had this argument with someone in another thread once:
https://forums.redflagdeals.com/viewtop ... p=30666213

Most of the stuff I buy is either heavy or expensive though.
I do have to admit that low value stuff (ie old RAM) is cheaper because they usually just postage stamp it. But that doesn't count.

Once you get into paying brokerage territory it's almost never cheaper since GSP is essentially free brokerage.
That and GSP is pretty cheap to begin with for shipping.

UPS is DIRT cheap for shipping, but you get killed on brokerage.
DHL is acceptable for brokerage, but you get somewhat killed on shipping.
USPS is the better for brokerage, but you get absolutely killed on shipping.
GSP is the best for brokerage (usually nothing or even less than nothing because they tax weirdly) and the best on shipping.

unclefester wrote: ↑ On what planet does it make sense to invent & then introduce a 3rd party - a middleman - to fully immerse themselves in transactions that for years were simply between buyer & seller & expect to have things turn out cheaper?

Global shipping was introduced as a new revenue stream for eBay and its shareholders.

That's pretty obvious to a lot of us...

Gmas wrote: ↑ So I recently purchased an item on Ebay for $6.70 US (DVD case size), and shipping was $18.97 US. When the item arrived, I saw it was sent USPS First Class, which I sensed was nowhere near ~$19.00 for that size. I messaged and inquired with the seller, and he said he only received $4.30 for shipping, which is about what the actual shipping charges were (I called Ebay and they stated $4.69). I had called Ebay because I was wondering where this almost $15.00 in additional shipping charges went. Turns out that goes to the Global Shipping Program, which just seems excessive to me....especially on an item that cost <$5 to ship and cost less than $7 in the first place. And there can't be 200% duties either.

Anybody have any further insight into this? At the very least, just thought I'd make people aware. I was fine with the initial shipping charge because the total price was in line with what I was willing to pay, but definitely put off hearing that much of the shipping didn't even go to the seller.

death_hawk wrote: ↑ If it was shipped via Global Shipping, the $4.30 only covers shipping from the seller to Pitney Bowes. From there, they bring it over the border and give it to Canada Post which incurs additional costs.
There would be no taxes due to the value of the item.

International shipping isn't cheap, especially when Canada is involved.

TheMaterial wrote: ↑ International shipping is very cheap. I ship across the world daily and don't tend to spend more than $10 CAD and that's shipped in a 9x6x3" box. I can ship from CAD to anywhere in the US for $5 in most cases.

death_hawk wrote: ↑ Direct and tracked? I can't get out the door without spending $15 at retail. An account helps, but not by much (at Canada Post). UPS is much cheaper with an account, but $10 is still pretty hard.
I can hit that too with Chitchats, but that's leveraging USPS and a 3rd party.
I'm also talking about TO Canada, not out of Canada.

death_hawk wrote: ↑ On what planet is everyone else living on where it's cheaper to ship direct via couriers?

TheMaterial wrote: ↑ Yes, Stallion Express. I'm usually around the $4-5 mark, however sometimes around $8-9. It's actually more expensive to ship within Canada. It's just under $10 in most cases.

krs wrote: ↑ Well, I just received a package that was shipped from Carlisle, ON to Cornwall, On and UPS was cheaper than any one else including Canada Post.

And as I mentioned before, a laptop frovm the US via the Global shipping program was also cheaper than by regular mail.

Bottom line is that one can't generalize.

death_hawk wrote: ↑ I've never heard of them. Not that it's important. I was mostly meaning the "large" couriers that everyone's heard of.
Do they actually do last mile for everywhere in the US?
Even if they don't that's still pretty cheap unless they're basically doing what Chitchats does.