Shipping from US to Canada

[paulman227]

Hey y'all,

New to the forum and curious what you all do for shipping cards from US to Canada. I have recently purchased cards from Canada and the shipping on the label was like $3.08. But when I sold a card on EBay recently and sent it to Canada, the cheapest option was $10 for USPS First class.

What's a cheaper option for shipping up north?

Cheers

[Fleurycup09]

I still havent found one unless you do Ebay global shipping when you sell there. Im curious as to how you got $10. Whenever I go to the PO for Canada its Minimum $13.60 and thats without tracking.

[greenrebellion]

Print the label directly from paypal and select large envelope. I pay under $3 to ship to Canada. Package needs to be less than 0.75" thick. Tracking included at least until the border.

[isles4life]

Originally Posted by greenrebellion

Print the label directly from paypal and select large envelope. I pay under $3 to ship to Canada. Package needs to be less than 0.75" thick. Tracking included at least until the border.

do you use bubble mailers?

[baalton]

Once it hits the border you can continue to track it via Canada post.ca Its the same on the flip, if you ship a package from Canada once it hits the border and clears costoms. You can continue to track on USPS (just put in the tracking number)

[irv]

Usually things are cheaper for U.S. citizens, any CDN knows this, but when it comes to shipping, it is usually the opposite.

Many U.S. sellers use Global shipping, and I can understand why, but I never purchase from U.S. sellers who do as it adds a significant amount to the final cost.

Some U.S. sellers that I have contacted to see if they can do anything with their shipping are not even aware sometimes shipping is so expensive?

When signing up to EBay, I think EBay fools/tricks sellers into signing up for it?

I've also noticed that import fees are now the norm, and that is something I don't recall seeing as much before?

[tyrith]

eBay highly incentivizes use of GSP. The lack of cross border tracking of large envelope creates a major opportunity for abuse. You can be forced to refund packages that ultimately get delivered, even by people that aren’t trying to scam you - shipping delays can make it take 40+ days to get a package delivered to CAN right now. You also can’t ever have you package kicked back for being oversize, so you can protect it as much as you want.

Also, GSP is way easier if you aren’t a bulk shipper. The GSP labels will print on standard 4x6 labels you can run through a thermal. First Class is a customs label that has to be done by cut and tape.

[DontToewsMeBro]

Originally Posted by tyrith

eBay highly incentivizes use of GSP. The lack of cross border tracking of large envelope creates a major opportunity for abuse. You can be forced to refund packages that ultimately get delivered, even by people that aren’t trying to scam you - shipping delays can make it take 40+ days to get a package delivered to CAN right now. You also can’t ever have you package kicked back for being oversize, so you can protect it as much as you want.

Also, GSP is way easier if you aren’t a bulk shipper. The GSP labels will print on standard 4x6 labels you can run through a thermal. First Class is a customs label that has to be done by cut and tape.

Your post is so uninformed and full of so many falsehoods it's hard to understand.

[signed79]

So many Canadians won't buy if it's via GSP that you mine as well not even offer shipping up there. Apparently, GSP is a mess for them.

[k13]

I've had US guys ship to me for $3 or less without tracking obviously by USPS

So it can be done.

[baalton]

I will not buy and will instantly move on if interested in a ebay auction or buy it now and seller is shipping via GSP. Its insane for a Canadian buyer purchase an item shipped with GSP. I try to explain this to sellers but almost all seem not interested and stick to shipping GSP. I don't know if sellers realize they are pushing buyers away due to GSP. From what I under stand from the sellers is the payment is made and they seller gets a address in Kentucky. Once its delivered to this processing plant in Kentucky seller is done and not longer responsible its considered delivered. The plant then takes over and the package is sent right through to the buyer in Canada. As the package is been reviewed and all duties have been prepaid through the ebay payment. It flies through border/costoms unlike before. Buyer pays duties regardless of the amount of the item. I get it its easy for the sellers but is insane expensive.

Here is an example the one time I bought an item and seller used the GSP (first and last time....not knowing). $80 Bobby Witt Jr Bowman Paper autograph card. Bought it for $80 US dollars. Shippng was $14.51 US dollars (shipping can vary from what I have seen $14 and seen it as high as $26, for one single card). Then import charges those are not posted or included in the ebay auction page. You get this or is shows up at the payment portion of the transaction, the 'import charges' were $14.98 (duty on the $80 item, fees and then handling) or Kentucky plant process handling and fees. This is cut and pasted from the ebay under the payment details of the payment.

Subtotal US $80.00
ShippingUS $14.51
Import charges US $14.98
Total US $109.49

So to summarize on an $80 US dollar baseball card, to have it shipped total $29.46 US dollars (which equates to $38 Canadian dollars).

Who is going to pay that kinda money for one baseball card for shipping.

Some sellers are still using old school USPS service mailing from postal outlets or shipping labels which is still somewhat affordable for a Canadian buyer.

This is just my experience and I am one and done on the GSP option through ebay as a buyer

[irv]

Originally Posted by baalton

I will not buy and will instantly move on if interested in a ebay auction or buy it now and seller is shipping via GSP. Its insane for a Canadian buyer purchase an item shipped with GSP. I try to explain this to sellers but almost all seem not interested and stick to shipping GSP.

Who is going to pay that kinda money for one baseball card for shipping.

Some sellers are still using old school USPS service mailing from postal outlets or shipping labels which is still somewhat affordable for a Canadian buyer.

This is just my experience and I am one and done on the GSP option through ebay as a buyer

I've seen Global shipping fees as high as $96 dollars from a seller in California, and the card I was interested in at the time was a common 52 Topps card with a value less than $20 dollars.

That's the thing, there is no consistency, no sensibility and no reasoning. Global shipping fees are randomly inputted and are nothing but a cash cow for EBay.

I've purchased many cards from U.S. sellers over the years and the most I've paid for shipping is around $10 dollars. In most cases, I use GM cards as his shipping fees are $5.49 or something like that American. If he can ship cards for that price, why can't others?

Not that I'd use PWCC to purchase a crumpled up wrapper, but they are even worse. They randomly guess what a card will finish at then apply a shipping fee before the card is even sold. Many times I have seen their shipping costing twice as much, sometimes higher, than what the actual price of the card ended at. If anyone doesn't think they are making bank off this scam, they have their blinders on.

[tyrith]

Originally Posted by DontToewsMeBro

Your post is so uninformed and full of so many falsehoods it's hard to understand.

If you want to call me a liar, you darn well better point out specifics, otherwise you're just making yourself look like a giant jerk for no point. I also can't help but notice that you have $10 CAD cards with $15 CAD shipping to the US, so it's not like you're doing anything exceptionally different.

[penguinsChief]

Having started selling off parts of my collection lately and anything shipping to Canada is done via the Global Shipping Program. Yes, I do understand that it costs more, but in order for us to ship "cheap" we can't do tracking or anything. So with that the risks to me are not worth it. I have sold to many Canadians lately, and have shipped to US addresses like COMC or other programs like that. I know I am losing out on some sales and probably more money for some of the cards, but having the peace or mind to not have to worry about it is worth it. Also I am not selling tons of items every day so I prefer the easiest route possible.

[tyrith]

Originally Posted by irv

I've seen Global shipping fees as high as $96 dollars from a seller in California, and the card I was interested in at the time was a common 52 Topps card with a value less than $20 dollars.

That's the thing, there is no consistency, no sensibility and no reasoning. Global shipping fees are randomly inputted and are nothing but a cash cow for EBay.

I've purchased many cards from U.S. sellers over the years and the most I've paid for shipping is around $10 dollars. In most cases, I use GM cards as his shipping fees are $5.49 or something like that American. If he can ship cards for that price, why can't others?

Not that I'd use PWCC to purchase a crumpled up wrapper, but they are even worse. They randomly guess what a card will finish at then apply a shipping fee before the card is even sold. Many times I have seen their shipping costing twice as much, sometimes higher, than what the actual price of the card ended at. If anyone doesn't think they are making bank off this scam, they have their blinders on.

Yeah, I don't know why that would be happening. GSP to Canada, at least dealing with card size items, should be eBay international standard shipping and cost $10 plus any seller added handling fees. Doing anything else would be strange.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by signed79

So many Canadians won't buy if it's via GSP that you mine as well not even offer shipping up there. Apparently, GSP is a mess for them.

Shipped 5 items to Canada via the GSP last week including a DVD/VCR combo.

[greenrebellion]

Originally Posted by isles4life

do you use bubble mailers?

Yes, they just can't exceed 3/4 of an inch. I keep mine under 1/2" to be safe.

[isles4life]

Originally Posted by greenrebellion

Yes, they just can't exceed 3/4 of an inch. I keep mine under 1/2" to be safe.

very solid advice, thanks for sharing! I always sent with the thick envelope, wasted so much $$$$

[leaflandwest]

Originally Posted by baalton

From what I under stand from the sellers is the payment is made and they seller gets a address in Kentucky. Once its delivered to this processing plant in Kentucky seller is done and not longer responsible its considered delivered. The plant then takes over and the package is sent right through to the buyer in Canada. As the package is been reviewed and all duties have been prepaid through the ebay payment.

Another downside to the GSP is that the packages are opened and repacked in kentucky and there are several documented cases of items being damaged through this process.

There also seems to be misconceptions about tracking not being available on packages to Canada. I get cards in from eBay sellers and breakers in the US and I can use the same tracking number on Usps.com until it hits the border and then on Canadapost.ca thereafter. It's really not that complicated.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by leaflandwest

Another downside to the GSP is that the packages are opened and repacked in kentucky and there are several documented cases of items being damaged through this process.

The seller is protected when that happens once it arrives to the GSP the seller is off the hook. So if that happens the seller is not liable for it at that point. Any reshipper typically does this. This is why if you use a reshipper once its reshipped your protection is voided. So for the seller that is a win situation.

[paulman227]

Originally Posted by Fleurycup09

I still havent found one unless you do Ebay global shipping when you sell there. Im curious as to how you got $10. Whenever I go to the PO for Canada its Minimum $13.60 and thats without tracking.

Looking back the actual shipping fee was $11.64 and did include tracking. $10 was what the card sold for. Not sure how I got that price exactly but I paid the label through EBay.

[paulman227]

Originally Posted by greenrebellion

Print the label directly from paypal and select large envelope. I pay under $3 to ship to Canada. Package needs to be less than 0.75" thick. Tracking included at least until the border.

Thank you so much for this info!

And thanks to everyone's input.

Cheers!

[leaflandwest]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

The seller is protected when that happens once it arrives to the GSP the seller is off the hook. So if that happens the seller is not liable for it at that point. Any reshipper typically does this. This is why if you use a reshipper once its reshipped your protection is voided. So for the seller that is a win situation.

Even if I take your word that ebay is going to blindly accept all responsibility for damaged product, it's still just one more potential reason for the buyer to have a bad experience (on top of the extortionate shipping costs and increased shipping times).

I think for the most part people will factor the total shipping cost into the total dollars they're willing to spend and the GSP will effectively price us out when there is any competition in the US for the item we're after. What I think some GSP sellers don't fully realize is that this means money left on the table either in the form of dollars Canadians would've spent on an item rather than shipping surcharges or additional dollars US buyers would've spent with competing offers.

I sent a package to the US today from PayPal shipping and it took me less than 5 mins. Specified the dimensions, weight, contents and value for customs, printed and stuck it on an envelope and it was under 8 bucks Canadian with tracking. I get delivery confirmation and all the same ebay protections I get when I ship domestically. If it's anywhere close to that easy from the US there's no chance I would subject my customers to GSP.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by leaflandwest

Even if I take your word that ebay is going to blindly accept all responsibility for damaged product, it's still just one more potential reason for the buyer to have a bad experience (on top of the extortionate shipping costs and increased shipping times).

I think for the most part people will factor the total shipping cost into the total dollars they're willing to spend and the GSP will effectively price us out when there is any competition in the US for the item we're after. What I think some GSP sellers don't fully realize is that this means money left on the table either in the form of dollars Canadians would've spent on an item rather than shipping surcharges or additional dollars US buyers would've spent with competing offers.

I sent a package to the US today from PayPal shipping and it took me less than 5 mins. Specified the dimensions, weight, contents and value for customs, printed and stuck it on an envelope and it was under 8 bucks Canadian with tracking. I get delivery confirmation and all the same ebay protections I get when I ship domestically. If it's anywhere close to that easy from the US there's no chance I would subject my customers to GSP.

They do any they have many times. It says they will right in the details. From the sellers side its a win situation. There are many other alternatives to the GSP and they all work the same expect if the item is reshipped and it getd damaged or lost the buyer is completely SOL if they use the GSP then Ebay will refund them.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/sh...rogram?id=4646



Besides making your items available worldwide, there are a number of benefits to using the Global Shipping Program:

If an item is lost or broken during international shipping, eBay Money Back Guarantee cases will be resolved in your favour, and your seller performance standards won't be affected
When you provide free domestic shipping to the shipping center, you'll automatically receive 5 stars for shipping costs in your detailed seller rating
If you charge for domestic shipping to the shipping center but receive a rating below 5 stars for shipping costs, it won't count against your seller performance standards
You'll automatically receive 5 stars for shipping time in your detailed seller rating when you ship with same business day or 1 business day handling, upload tracking information within 1 business day of receiving payment, and deliver the item to the US shipping center within 4 business days
Any negative or neutral feedback that can be attributed to the Global Shipping Program from item handling during international transit will be removed



The problem I have with it is convenience. here you cannot just drop off an international package our PO will send them back to you if you do. So we have to go in and wait in the line. That can be especially this time of year 30 to 40 minutes. If I am at our other house at the lake I would have to drive about an hour both ways to get to the PO then wait in line for 45 minutes. With the GSP I can print and the carrier will pick it up like any other package.

I don't care either way if you don't like the GSP nobody is forcing you to use it, its no skin off my back not going to miss a sale that never was anyway there are plenty of other buyers out there.

[leaflandwest]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

I don't care either way if you don't like the GSP nobody is forcing you to use it, its no skin off my back not going to miss a sale that never was anyway there are plenty of other buyers out there.

Yeah, I know you don't care about my (or any other individuals) preference for GSP. You understand and accept that you will potentially lose sales and/or leave money on the table in exchange for convenience. All the power to you.

My main gripe about GSP is that it's a service that has been presented to sellers as a win/win for all involved but lacks transparency about the impact when the option is presented to the seller. Hell, it's not always clear even from the buyer's side. I think many of us have been bitten by it once and then learned our lesson.

When I sell to the US where sales tax is charged, the payment transaction includes the sales tax which is then deducted by eBay with a note stating something to the effect of "we're collecting this in accordance with the law and it will be deducted from PayPal" . Does the same happen for the import fees charged through GSP? And if not, why is that?

edit:fixed quote