Ebay Global shipping question

[Chris Henderson]

It appears I've been forced into the Global shipping program. I never signed up for it and just sold something through the program, I'm fine with being in it but my question is how do they know how much to charge for shipping? I charge a flat rate for domestic shipping so they don't have much to go on for international shipping.
Is there any way for the seller to see what the actual shipping charge is? I'm curious.

[DetroitFan14]

It appears I've been forced into the Global shipping program. I never signed up for it and just sold something through the program, I'm fine with being in it but my question is how do they know how much to charge for shipping? I charge a flat rate for domestic shipping so they don't have much to go on for international shipping.
Is there any way for the seller to see what the actual shipping charge is? I'm curious.

The buyer is charged additional (you don’t see that) to cover the international shipping and import fees.

Once the item reaches the global shipping center, they inspect it and take care of it from there and you’re in the clear.

I personally love the global shipping center because it’s the most protection you have when selling items to foreign buyers. From what I understand, though, international buyers hate it because it is expensive for them to use. But at least as a seller you have the peace of mind.

[leaflandwest]

From what I understand, though, international buyers hate it because it is expensive for them to use.

As an international buyer, I can confirm. I've purchased many cards from the states and not once have I been charged import fees except that one time I purchased through the GSP. As far as I'm concerned it's just a cash grab from ebay.

I've also seen some complaint videos about how the items are opened and repacked at the distribution centre in Kentucky sometimes causing damage. Example: https://youtu.be/35ntO9rmDzw

Will it offer you additional protection in the event the buyer claims they don't receive it? Sure. But I think you also limit the number of potential buyers which means you're selling for less on average (and if you do send through GSP you have potential damage claims to worry about).

Without GSP, you can still send the package internationally with tracking and have the same level of protection from eBay as if you're sending within the US.

The only real benefit that I can see is that it avoids the hassle of filling out customs info because that's just an added nuisance.

Edit :added youtube link

[Chris Henderson]

The buyer is charged additional (you don’t see that) to cover the international shipping and import fees.

Once the item reaches the global shipping center, they inspect it and take care of it from there and you’re in the clear.

I personally love the global shipping center because it’s the most protection you have when selling items to foreign buyers. From what I understand, though, international buyers hate it because it is expensive for them to use. But at least as a seller you have the peace of mind.

I understand all that. My question is how do they know what to charge for the additional shipping?

[Cavaliercards]

As an international buyer, I can confirm. I've purchased many cards from the states and not once have I been charged import fees except that one time I purchased through the GSP. As far as I'm concerned it's just a cash grab from ebay.

I've also seen some complaint videos about how the items are opened and repacked at the distribution centre in Kentucky sometimes causing damage. Example: https://youtu.be/35ntO9rmDzw

Will it offer you additional protection in the event the buyer claims they don't receive it? Sure. But I think you also limit the number of potential buyers which means you're selling for less on average (and if you do send through GSP you have potential damage claims to worry about).

Without GSP, you can still send the package internationally with tracking and have the same level of protection from eBay as if you're sending within the US.

The only real benefit that I can see is that it avoids the hassle of filling out customs info because that's just an added nuisance.

Edit :added youtube link

Our international sales went up when we opted into it. Some items of ours get it and some do not, depends on the item.

Will say without GSP and with tracking, you are not always covered and the scanning and tracking is not always as it should be. Your coverage is about 50% at best without GSP.

We have customers charged import fees routinely on non-GSP items because we get the emails about them when they get them.

[leaflandwest]

Our international sales went up when we opted into it. Some items of ours get it and some do not, depends on the item.



Will say without GSP and with tracking, you are not always covered and the scanning and tracking is not always as it should be. Your coverage is about 50% at best without GSP.



We have customers charged import fees routinely on non-GSP items because we get the emails about them when they get them.It's interesting (and seemingly counterintuitive) that the sales would increase after opting in to if you already offered international shipping since there's no benefit to the buyer. Maybe ebay bumps the listing up in the algorithm? Or maybe it depends on the category.

[shrevecity]

It's interesting (and seemingly counterintuitive) that the sales would increase after opting in to if you already offered international shipping since there's no benefit to the buyer. Maybe ebay bumps the listing up in the algorithm? Or maybe it depends on the category.

Mine was not an increase but not a decrease either. Just less stress for me.

[BGT Masters]

Mine was not an increase but not a decrease either. Just less stress for me.

This. I love when people buy stuff from global shipping because one it gets to Kentucky I've done my part. As for them knowing what to charge I couldn't tell you. I sell large items and sometimes heavy and I always wondered how they know what to charge for shipping. Most of my listings don't list the size or weight of the item.

[Cavaliercards]

It's interesting (and seemingly counterintuitive) that the sales would increase after opting in to if you already offered international shipping since there's no benefit to the buyer. Maybe ebay bumps the listing up in the algorithm? Or maybe it depends on the category.


Think it has to do with the search algorithm, as we offered on some items international before and after. We have enjoyed it but we are on this side of it.

This. I love when people buy stuff from global shipping because one it gets to Kentucky I've done my part. As for them knowing what to charge I couldn't tell you. I sell large items and sometimes heavy and I always wondered how they know what to charge for shipping. Most of my listings don't list the size or weight of the item.

We always have the weight listed, so we just figured they used that.

[glen87]

I understand all that. My question is how do they know what to charge for the additional shipping?

to my knowledge, it does not work that way. GSP (i believe) does not combine items. each one goes out individually and the buyer gets charged for each.

the buyer only saves on "combined" shipping from you to GSP, not from GSP to them.

[shrevecity]

I understand all that. My question is how do they know what to charge for the additional shipping?

They don't if the buyer buys three items from you they are charged the shipping rate of each item that is listed. So if they win 3 auctions with 3.00 shipping they are charged 9.00.

Sellers also cannot go in and change invoices of items through the COMC

[Chris Henderson]

My question wasn't about combined shipping. You can't combine items through Global Shipping. I was asking how do they know what to charge for the international shipping they are adding on.

[shrevecity]

My question wasn't about combined shipping. You can't combine items through Global Shipping. I was asking how do they know what to charge for the international shipping they are adding on.

For things like cards it would be easy to figure out. However seems like they base it more on the value of the item. The GSP is run by Pitney Bowes who I would be pretty certain has a very nice sweetheart deal with the USPS and other postal carriers on their rates.

[frenchquarter]

This answers a lot of questions.

https://www.webretailer.com/b/ebay-global-shipping-program/