is shipping really that much? or is ebay just messing with me

[pony_magick]

I've decided that the postage/shipping is way too much on eBay. I just won a lot of 18 ribbons (only) and it cost me USD$35 to post to New Zealand. Surely it can't cost that much to send a bunch of ribbons?

[flying_narwhal]

I've decided that the postage/shipping is way too much on eBay. I just won a lot of 18 ribbons (only) and it cost me USD$35 to post to New Zealand. Surely it can't cost that much to send a bunch of ribbons?

Were they using the Global Shipping Program? That could be why it is so high. For priority flat rate small box or flat rate bubble envelope it would be $25 and First Class International would be less than half of that probably. But it is seriously annoying that our international rates are so high... $35 to ship some ribbons is ridiculous!

[pony_magick]

Yep, using the silly shipping program. I may give up on eBay now as I can't afford to pay the postage.

[Truly]

Today I tried to get a quote to post 3 funko ponies from Australia to the US, I thought it wouldn't be much as I've sent things this size about last year of before for around $20. But the quote I got today was for $56.90!!! And when buying on eBay sometimes it would cost $25 to post one tiny g4 pony to Australia! It's beyond ridiculous... I really thought that postage would be getting cheaper, not worse!

[Ringlets]

*Agrees with everyone else* Sometimes sellers will try and over charge you on shipping but mostly its due to rising cost of postage and sellers not using cheaper shipping  methods. The postage prices really are crazy high now *sigh* and with many scammers or postal thefts, people on ebay  want to protect themselves by sending only with tracking/delivery confirmation etc  which is a lot more expensive than 1st class. Personally as a seller I used to offer cheaper options but I've had to deal with too many scammers on ebay (even ones who try it on with tracked and signed for items!)  to even risk it now, so my shipping is expensive too. I hate doing it but I feel I have no choice and ebay will always side with a buyer if there is no tracking etc 
Also the GSP makes costs even higher.
If I were you and its not an expensive or rare item/lot then avoid sellers who use GSP and look for ones who still offer ordinary 1st class shipping too. Some sellers still do...but not nearly so many as before because we need to protect ourselves .

[galaxystardust]

Alas yes. It's correct. The global shipping program throws a spanner in the works. But I feel that usually, tracked international shipping is a fair price. What gets me is when sellers are put a $5 pony on eBay but only ship with global program. So the shipping is 8x what you're paying for the pony. But I understand that they need to protect themselves from dodgey sellers