The MLP Arena
TCB => Trader & Shipping Support => Topic started by: Baby Mischief on February 04, 2014, 11:24:19 PM
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I have just bought something on Ebay that I have been searching for for ages and the seller uses the Global SHipping Program, but agreed to change it when the auction ended. And now she doesnt know how to do it.. :(
This is her last message:
I am trying to figure out how to change it. It shows that I offered another shipping service. Any suggestions?
The seller has been so nice and I really want to pay her as soon as possible, but I just cant afford the GSP.. Please help me! Does anyone know how to change the shipping to "normal" international in the settings?
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I am pretty sure it can't be changed once the sale is made. She may can call eBay and have them go around it, or the two of you can agree to cancel the transaction and she can relist it for you without the GSP.
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*edit* See? I told you I'm not one to start new topics, apparently I don't even know how to :blush: I could have sworn I pressed NEW! I'm so sorry Baby Mischief, I didn't mean to piggyback on your topic!
Hi all,
So, I am not one for starting new topics. I just like to add my two cents in when I can and sorta stay low key, but I am confused and down right P.O.-ed at this new program. And from what I can see, it's not even new, but people have been posting about it since last year?
That's why I'm confused. The thing is, I have never once been saddled ( :silly: ) with this bogus charge until recently in the last month, (and I have bought a bunch of stuff off of Ebay since last July.
I'm wondering, did Ebay make a mandatory "opt in" at the start of 2014 to everyone who hadn't changed their settings and some buyers don't even know it? I asked a seller recently about the "import charges that I have never seen before" and there was no response, so I don't know if they even knew about it?
I figured shipping for one pony at 14 bucks was a little extreme, and after doing a bit more research I finally realized what was going on. Makes me sad because this means my pony mail is going to come to a drastic halt from the U.S since Ebay has been my main track for getting ponies. (This was before I discovered the Arena, but I always seem to miss out on my ponies here!)
So I pose a question to the sellers who are knowingly using the GSP: Are you willing to work with a buyer if they do not want to purchase using the GSP? Or is it a "find another pony somewhere else" kinda deal?
Thanks for your input!
Shae
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I am merging this with Baby Mischiefs thread, and going to add the many topics we already have on this subject. I have also changed the title of the thread. If you have a question on the subject, please post to this thread to keep things neat and tidy.
http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,315354.msg513893.html#msg513893
http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,337091.msg884221.html#msg884221
http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,348742.0.html
http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,336432.0.html
http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,344830.0.html
http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,345682.0.html
No worries sylons, everyone else is just as confused :P
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I'm wondering, did Ebay make a mandatory "opt in" at the start of 2014 to everyone who hadn't changed their settings and some buyers don't even know it? I asked a seller recently about the "import charges that I have never seen before" and there was no response, so I don't know if they even knew about it?
So I pose a question to the sellers who are knowingly using the GSP: Are you willing to work with a buyer if they do not want to purchase using the GSP? Or is it a "find another pony somewhere else" kinda deal?
They automatically opted everyone in who didn't opt out. And as far as I know, every seller still can opt out of the program in their settings.
Take heart in knowing that not every U.S. seller uses this program. I definitely don't and I get A LOT of international buyers. I think they appreciate the fact that I use the first class international option and I have never had a problem. No buyer has had a problem waiting and no packages so far have gone astray. There are certain countries I do not ship to like Italy and with the exception of Arena shipping, I do not ship to Asian countries.
And I know there are some sellers out there willing to by-pass the GSP by calling eBay, but you must ask first if they know how and if they are willing to do so to avoid a conundrum or as Ponylady stated, they can also cancel the transaction and relist without the GSP if they are willing. I did that when I was opted in when I didn't realize that. Since then, of course, I changed that and opted out.
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Thanks Ponylady! I was looking for those threads, but I couldnt find them. (I cant seem to find anything I search for in the forum, I always go through google to find PC´s and stuff in here.. :blink:)
bluerose9978, is there any way to opt out once the auction has ended?
Post Merge: February 05, 2014, 09:54:57 AM
Oh, and slyons, dont worry about it! Our posts got merged, it wasnt you.. ^.^
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I've heard of sellers opting out after an auction ends by calling eBay for help.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
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OMG! I think I found the answer in the last thread!
Here is a qoute from MikeysGrrrl:
- Navigate to your "Purchase History"
- Locate the item that you purchased from madseizon
- Click on the link that says "1 bid" (located to the right of the winning bid amount)
- Find your winning bid and click "More Actions"
- Then select "Request total"
- Confirm the items and your address on the next screen and continue
By following these instructions, your seller will be able to issue an invoice with the shipping cost for the service they choose. This may lead to lower prices and/or more convenience for you and the seller.
I just did this and I think it worked, now I am just waiting for a response from the seller! :)
Post Merge: February 05, 2014, 11:31:08 AM
UPDATE:
It worked!!! :party: So if you are ever in my situation, just follow the steps and everything will work out, no need calling ebay or relist the item! Im so happy! :biggrin:
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They automatically opted everyone in who didn't opt out. And as far as I know, every seller still can opt out of the program in their settings.
Take heart in knowing that not every U.S. seller uses this program. I definitely don't and I get A LOT of international buyers. I think they appreciate the fact that I use the first class international option and I have never had a problem. No buyer has had a problem waiting and no packages so far have gone astray. There are certain countries I do not ship to like Italy and with the exception of Arena shipping, I do not ship to Asian countries.
And I know there are some sellers out there willing to by-pass the GSP by calling eBay, but you must ask first if they know how and if they are willing to do so to avoid a conundrum or as Ponylady stated, they can also cancel the transaction and relist without the GSP if they are willing. I did that when I was opted in when I didn't realize that. Since then, of course, I changed that and opted out.
Okay, thanks for your input bluerose9978, it is much appreciated. That's basically what I wanted to know and makes me feel a bit better that there might be some sellers who are willing to work with me! When the shipping ends up costing me as much or more then my ponies there's gotta be a line!
Oh, and slyons, dont worry about it! Our posts got merged, it wasnt you.. ^.^
Thanks Ponylady! I was looking for those threads, but I couldnt find them. (I cant seem to find anything I search for in the forum, I always go through google to find PC´s and stuff in here.. :blink:)
Whew! I knew I couldn't have been that clueless! Sheesh.... :nuts:
(and I'm just glad I'm not the only one that has trouble searching for things on the forum)
And thanks for the merge Ponylady!
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OMG! I think I found the answer in the last thread!
Here is a qoute from MikeysGrrrl:
- Navigate to your "Purchase History"
- Locate the item that you purchased from madseizon
- Click on the link that says "1 bid" (located to the right of the winning bid amount)
- Find your winning bid and click "More Actions"
- Then select "Request total"
- Confirm the items and your address on the next screen and continue
By following these instructions, your seller will be able to issue an invoice with the shipping cost for the service they choose. This may lead to lower prices and/or more convenience for you and the seller.
I just did this and I think it worked, now I am just waiting for a response from the seller! :)
Post Merge: February 05, 2014, 11:31:08 AM
UPDATE:
It worked!!! :party: So if you are ever in my situation, just follow the steps and everything will work out, no need calling ebay or relist the item! Im so happy! :biggrin:
Isn't that fabulous? I'm glad my post helped both you and your seller :)
It's amazing how many sellers have no clue that they are opted into this program at all, it's actually quite sad, I do think it hurts their sales to some degree.
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So regarding this program, if a US seller (for example) has an item listed that says 'Ships to US only', is it possible for me (in Australia) to still bid/purchase the item and have it sent to the GSP to them send to me? It's confusing me, I'm not entirely certain as to how it works :/
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No, the seller has to be willing to ship overseas to have their auction qualify for the GSP.
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Awww bummer :(
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The GSP is a pain. I would avoid any seller who uses it anyway. There is a great thread already started that answers a lot of GSP questions if you have any others.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
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Thank you Blue Rose for your help, I'll certainly seek it out if I have any other inquiries. Just a question, why do you avoid sellers using it? A tad dodgy is it?
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I am in the US. And as a seller I have had nothing but problems with it so I do not use it. They charge buyers to ship to to somewhere else in the US. Then to ship overseas. And pay for the customs fees that might otherwise not be charged. And the tracking number does not necessarily get entered. And it takes longer than it should to ship.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
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And it costs at least 2 times the amount I charge. Plus they don't allow sellers to combine shipping.
Here's a thread that combines a lot of other threads about the GSP:
http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,348904.0.html
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
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Wow, that is really sucky :(
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I am going to merge this with our main thread on the discussion of Global Shipping. :heart: PL
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Can anyone explain to me how the tracking numbers work with eBay's Global Shipping Program and USPS? I'm getting worried, I've been watching a purchase get tracked across the US via the tracking number the seller provided, and suddenly it says that it has been delivered?
The confusion of tracking is this (exactly as it appears to me, all mixed up lol):
Delivered ERLANGER, KY 41018 March 1, 2014 10:26 am
Sorting Complete ERLANGER, KY 41018 March 1, 2014 9:08 am
Depart USPS Sort Facility CINCINNATI, OH 45235 March 1, 2014
Arrival at Post Office ERLANGER, KY 41018 March 1, 2014 1:35 am
Processed through USPS Sort Facility CINCINNATI, OH 45235 February 28, 2014 4:57 am
Depart USPS Sort Facility WARRENDALE, PA 15095 February 27, 2014
Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility WARRENDALE, PA 15095 February 27, 2014 7:41 am
Dispatched to Sort Facility MONTGOMERY, IL 60538 February 25, 2014 6:33 pm
Acceptance MONTGOMERY, IL 60538 February 25, 2014 5:14 pm
It's even listed as Priority Mail 2-Day™, which is weird because it's meant to be priority international.
I've been thinking that this is just its first leg of the journey, that it will then be sorted at the GSP terminal and continue on to me with perhaps a new tracking number? But the finality of it being listed as Delivered is worrying me. :(
This is my first ever purchase using the GSP, can anyone explain if this is normal or what I should expect? Or has something gone wrong and should I contact the seller asap?
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The ERLANGER, KY is Ebays GSP shipping center, so your package made it there - ebay will now send it on to you. Through the GSP, the seller is only required to make sure it gets to the shipping center, after that, it's all on ebay. I've never bought anything through the GSP, so I don't know how they update tracking on an item, but I've sold a couple things that way, and they all went to that Kentucky address. It should be leaving the US soon :)
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Thank you for the info Navi, I'm glad to have confirmation that it means it's at the shipping center, you've definitely helped ease my worry. ^.^
Hopefully the tracking number will update with further information or my seller may be given a new number to pass on to me. Even if it continues with no tracking I'm no stranger to not knowing where in the world my ponies are, I just hope it arrives quickly and safely.
:yikes:
Edit: I've just found the info in the FAQ.
If you do not use eBay or PayPal Labels and do not manually upload domestic shipment tracking information to the US shipping center, a "global tracking number" will still be generated once the package is processed at the US shipping center. In such a case, the global tracking number will allow you and your buyer to track package status from the US shipping center to its final international destination and will be emailed to both you and your buyer. This information can also be found on the order details page and in My eBay.
Fingers crossed :biggrin:
Edit #2: I've got my global tracking number, I'm so nervous for this package. :blush: Thanks for the advice.
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*merging and giving this a bump up* :heart: PL
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I want to add this article I just read here, as I find it a bit disturbing.
http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y14/m02/i11/s01
If you don't feel like reading here is a short summary. A gentleman noticed items bound for buyers overseas sent through the Global Shipping Program weren't making it past a processing facility in Kentucky, and were then resurfacing on another eBay store under nearly identical listings.
What You Don't Know about eBay's Global Shipping Program.
"On occasion, items are unable to be shipped internationally through the Global Shipping Program due primarily to size, but also to import/export restrictions," eBay spokesman Ryan Moore said.
"In the rare cases that an item cannot be shipped internationally, eBay will compensate the buyer through eBay's Buyer Protection policy, while the seller will keep their payment from the buyer if no fault is found," he explained.
"In addition - and as outlined in the terms and conditions - participating sellers in the Global Shipping Program have given eBay and Pitney Bowes (eBay's global shipping and technology partner) the right to dispose of or liquidate parcels that are undeliverable. In turn, eBay utilizes various means to coordinate the disposal of items that are undeliverable, and some of these items may be re-sold by a third party on eBay or other venues in order to recover a portion of the costs of buyer reimbursement."
Moore stressed that items that are deemed undeliverable through the Global Shipping Program are infrequent, and noted that "considerable measures are taken to educate sellers on item eligibility," pointing to eBay's eligibility guidelines for the program.
"We do notify sellers and buyers in the rare event that an item arrives at the U.S. Shipping Center and cannot be shipped forward," Moore said.
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That is a bit disturbing, I can't believe that they are allowed to do that :huh:
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It sounds a little shady, but I'm not too surprised. Reminds me of how airlines can sell off lost/unclaimed baggage and items sized at TSA (pocket knives, weapons).
At least they reimburse the buyer.
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Uhg. I detest this global shipping program. The expensive shipping and bogus import charges would have more than double several purchases, so I ended up not buying them. Things that cost $20 suddenly became $45!
Anyway, I broke down and bought my first lot using the GSP. I received it, and the box says "reboxed by *person's name*, and a date", and the box is closed with eBay branded packing tape. There are 2 ponies missing from the box! I wrote to the seller, and they double checked. They said they don't see them anywhere. They even contacted other people they sold to to see if they got mixed in, and they didn't. It was a lot of bait, but 2 of the 4 that I bought the lot for are the ones that are missing.
Has anyone had their stuff opened and reboxed, or stuff missing? I'm not sure if this is the norm, or if I'm just unlucky. The seller said she is going to send me replacements, but I hope she can take it up with ebay. It honestly sounds to me like it's not her fault, and she has 100% feedback. I don't think I'll be buying anything through the GSP anytime soon.
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Hmmm...I wonder whether thats going to be an issue when it comes to what some countries allow to import. Such as toys going to Italy and the like? Will ebay stop them at Kentucky rather than ship them on if they suspect what is in the parcel. And as they are ebay after all, the people listing the items, they will know whats in a corresponding package.
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Hmmm...I wonder whether thats going to be an issue when it comes to what some countries allow to import. Such as toys going to Italy and the like? Will ebay stop them at Kentucky rather than ship them on if they suspect what is in the parcel. And as they are ebay after all, the people listing the items, they will know whats in a corresponding package.
It's an interesting question - I'm not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it seems like it shouldn't be up to ebay to decide, but on the other, I had a few packages to Italy go "missing" (I assume they were held at customs) before I knew about the non-wooden toys rule, and I would have appreciated a heads up that I wasn't supposed to be mailing plastic ponies over there.
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Everywhere I go I hear moans about this system.
So yesterday I was looking at stuff (complete other community, Jem items) and I found something that in conversion cost was about 3p below the threshold that Uk customs starts charging. And sure enough, there's the GSP charge of $13.06 slapped in there DESPITE the fact the auction price is below the threshold.
That's not paying UK customs anything, so obviously it's paying handling charges for Ebay's chosen people.
I'm really glad that a lot of sellers have been opted into this without having a choice in the matter. I've been buying and selling with the US since 98 and I remember getting frustrated with people not shipping to the UK but honestly, I'd prefer "US Only" auctions to "Shipping abroad with GSP" options.
So essentially it lets a seller ship an item without leaving their home, at the financial expense of the buyer who then has to pay customs duty, handling and commission for ebay, shipping cost - (every auction I was looking at for Jem had top whack shipping cost so no reductions there) and the item price?
I'm fine taking my chance with import duty. Kinda used to it by now. But I really don't want to pay extra so that a seller somewhere doesn't have to go write three or four words on a customs form and physically visit a post office. Maybe I'm just unsympathetic but over here, in general, you have to visit a PO to send anything, UK or otherwise, so it's pretty much the same. I also know most US sellers aren't like that, so that's why the prevalence of this disturbed me. But if it was an automatic opt-in, that explains tons. (I'm specifying US because far as I know only US ebay is imposing this).
Saw one auction where postage was $50 and import duty $102. I'd rather be charged import duty by the proper authorities at UK C&E, not by an auction site's estimation. It's like they choose your courier service then demand you pay for it on top of your postage charges - as opposed to giving you the right to have it posted domestic mail.
Hopefully it will prove so unpopular it will get phased out. I heard of one buyer in Canada who got charged customs fees on receipt as WELL as paying this, too - so it's by no means foolproof. And I've heard countless claims of items coming a week later than they normally would via the ordinary method, too.
Basically, if sellers don't want to ship out of country, then let them ship US only. It's fine that way. No reason why we international buyers should pay more money for a seller to make a wider profit if they're not happy to go to the trouble of posting the item themselves - and IMO after reading this thread I can see even less reason to wrap internationally friendly sellers up in all this silly red tape when it's really not necessary...
/end rant mode >.>.
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I had another quick question now that my package has arrived safely (yay).
I don't think they ended up repackaging it because there was a slash in the side which damaged the box underneath (original box, part of the purchase not packaging), which makes me think they went to cut in open, saw their error and stopped.
My question is, since they technically damaged part of my purchase who do I contact and how? The seller has done everything correctly and I am very pleased with them (I'll be leaving glowing positive feedback asap), it was the next leg of the journey with Pitney Bowes GSP that damaged my item.
Or should I just leave well enough alone? The damage is fairly superficial afterall and I'm thinking it's not worth following it up if it's just going to be a headache. :P
Any advice? Cheers :)
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I had another quick question now that my package has arrived safely (yay).
I don't think they ended up repackaging it because there was a slash in the side which damaged the box underneath (original box, part of the purchase not packaging), which makes me think they went to cut in open, saw their error and stopped.
My question is, since they technically damaged part of my purchase who do I contact and how? The seller has done everything correctly and I am very pleased with them (I'll be leaving glowing positive feedback asap), it was the next leg of the journey with Pitney Bowes GSP that damaged my item.
Or should I just leave well enough alone? The damage is fairly superficial afterall and I'm thinking it's not worth following it up if it's just going to be a headache. :P
Any advice? Cheers :)
That's tough to call. I would definitely say that contacting Ebay would be my first choice. Let them know how terrible the service is, and that they are lucky they didn't damage your actual product or there would be hell to pay! :P
I had to do that because when they ripped open my pony envelope and taped it back together, (like yours, they didn't repackage it, just used the original ripped envelope) they taped her hair up in it as well, and it wasn't closed completely. They said the error was regrettable, and hoped my next experience wouldn't be as bad. :huh:
I would let the seller know too. Maybe this will persuade them to opt out of the program?
Glad your mail was ok in the end! DOWN WITH GSP! Ha ha...
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Thanks for the advice Slyons. I might send eBay an email and see what their responce is.
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Everywhere I go I hear moans about this system.
So yesterday I was looking at stuff (complete other community, Jem items) and I found something that in conversion cost was about 3p below the threshold that Uk customs starts charging. And sure enough, there's the GSP charge of $13.06 slapped in there DESPITE the fact the auction price is below the threshold.
That's not paying UK customs anything, so obviously it's paying handling charges for Ebay's chosen people.
I'm really glad that a lot of sellers have been opted into this without having a choice in the matter. I've been buying and selling with the US since 98 and I remember getting frustrated with people not shipping to the UK but honestly, I'd prefer "US Only" auctions to "Shipping abroad with GSP" options.
So essentially it lets a seller ship an item without leaving their home, at the financial expense of the buyer who then has to pay customs duty, handling and commission for ebay, shipping cost - (every auction I was looking at for Jem had top whack shipping cost so no reductions there) and the item price?
I'm fine taking my chance with import duty. Kinda used to it by now. But I really don't want to pay extra so that a seller somewhere doesn't have to go write three or four words on a customs form and physically visit a post office. Maybe I'm just unsympathetic but over here, in general, you have to visit a PO to send anything, UK or otherwise, so it's pretty much the same. I also know most US sellers aren't like that, so that's why the prevalence of this disturbed me. But if it was an automatic opt-in, that explains tons. (I'm specifying US because far as I know only US ebay is imposing this).
Saw one auction where postage was $50 and import duty $102. I'd rather be charged import duty by the proper authorities at UK C&E, not by an auction site's estimation. It's like they choose your courier service then demand you pay for it on top of your postage charges - as opposed to giving you the right to have it posted domestic mail.
Hopefully it will prove so unpopular it will get phased out. I heard of one buyer in Canada who got charged customs fees on receipt as WELL as paying this, too - so it's by no means foolproof. And I've heard countless claims of items coming a week later than they normally would via the ordinary method, too.
Basically, if sellers don't want to ship out of country, then let them ship US only. It's fine that way. No reason why we international buyers should pay more money for a seller to make a wider profit if they're not happy to go to the trouble of posting the item themselves - and IMO after reading this thread I can see even less reason to wrap internationally friendly sellers up in all this silly red tape when it's really not necessary...
/end rant mode >.>.
At the moment customs are factoring in shipping charges - if something is coming priority/express - to the total value of the auction. So if the items price + shipping comes to over the import threshold you could potentially be hit with customs charges. Unfortunately that is probably what ebay are calculating as well :( It really sucks.
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Thanks for the advice Slyons. I might send eBay an email and see what their responce is.
It's a start right? Good luck!
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Thanks for the advice Slyons. I might send eBay an email and see what their responce is.
It's a start right? Good luck!
I've sent an email to eBay and will update with the resolution in case it can help other people having issues. ^.^
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Well it's been a week and no response from ebay... their promise of responding within 48 hours, HA!
Guess they don't care and don't want to hear it, I wish I could give them feedback. :mad:
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I call it the Global *slight edit for language* Program. -_- I made the mistake of buying something through it few months ago, and it slapped me with custom fees of nearly $20 which I wouldn't of had to have paid if the shipping method would have been 'normal'. It also took twice as long to arrive than normally.
The package had a note in it claiming that it had been opened by the customs or 'security officials', but the package looked untouched and definitely was not opened by the Finnish customs. I've had stuff that actually was opened by them, and the package had all kinds of official stamps and tapes from the customs. This didn't have any of those. The note had ebay's logo and Pitney Bowes logo, it was called 'Notice of parcel check'. Is that common?
Yesterday I was going to buy few buttons, you know those small things for a shirt, but the seller was using GSP and the shipping would have been $35!!! :shocked: So no buttons for me.
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I just worked with a very nice seller in the USA who had applied the Global Shipping Program to her listings and didn't know what was happening at the buyer's end. So I sent her screen shots because she couldn't believe how much it had come to either... she was keen to sort the problem out and took time to cancel the purchases, re-list them and give me a realistic shipping price so I still got my ponies. I'm lucky she was such a nice lady. I told her...
"I'm keen to help other users of ebay because it's in both buyer's and sellers interests to find the most competitive solutions. Both Ebay and the postal systems always seem to be adapting and changing to make their money and it does get confusing. Ebay seems to be different every time I log on! It's been a pleasure and I'll look forward to seeing you on the Arena." She says she's going to join MLP Arena ^.^
I must say I've been pleasantly surprised as many times as horrified on Ebay when problems have arisen. Many times other users (buying from me or selling to me) have been happy to understand and sort out problems because it is in everyone's interest to be able to provide the best service in the long run. I wish everyone on Ebay could be like that!
Fingers crossed till I get my ponies and let's hope this isn't a time I do end up paying duty :)