eBay Global Shipping Program

[Raphael]

Does anybody have experience using the eBay Global Shipping Program? I have recently received a request from a customer who insisted upon it.

It seems to me that items sent to an eBay shipping center for international shipping would have to be re-opened, inspected and re-packed before eBay could send it on to a foreign buyer. Common sense, and the TSA, Customs, Fish & Wildlife, etc., would require that, for various reasons. To me, regardless of cost to either buyer or seller, this would be a deal-breaker, as it is too risky to have specialized items handled by people with no familiarity with what they are dealing with.

Also, it would seem to me that whatever eBay does, it is certainly not a public service, and they would charge a substantial fee over and above what normal shipping costs would be.

I hate to tell a buyer "No" but this is what I did in this latest case, which was the first time any customer wanted me to use the program.

Raphael

[winsleydale]

I'm glad you declined. Most of the reviews I have seen of the Global Shipping Program basically boil down to the package gets repacked very poorly after inspection (regardless of how well the seller packed it) and treated quite roughly,to the point where fragile items (arcade game circuit boards in the instance I'm thinking of) can be cracked right in half. Not worth the risk.

[chunnybh]

I am an international buyer in Hong Kong. I buy lots of fragile goods of all sorts from the USA. The global shipping program works really well for me. They use big international couriers and everything so far has arrive safe and really very quickly. A lot faster than USPS. Nothing I have bought looks like it was ever opened.
I just had a huge fragile amp delivered. Took 4 days from winning the auction, to be delivered to my door. Amazing really.

[winsleydale]

Things must have changed since I last looked into it (which was a few years ago). I am glad to hear that they are doing better.

[rgordon939]

I have used the Global Shipping program several times shipping to various countries. I find it to be a great way to ship internationally. I have never heard of any of the packages being opened or repacked. I believe all they do is place new shipping labels on the packages addressed to the recipient. The program works great for me.

Rich Gordon

[Orchorsol]

As a buyer, it has caused problems for me - sellers have been unable to combine shipping on multiple items. I have had to cancel purchases. Sellers have been understanding, but as frustrated as me. If I'm looking to combine purchases (e.g. of records) I always avoid items using the Global Shipping Program nowadays. More fool eBay, their loss!

[epigramophone]

I do not buy or sell outside the UK, so when eBay enrolled me into their Global Shipping Programme WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING MY PERMISSION I read the small print and immediately exercised my right to opt out of it.

[Raphael]

I am very surprised to hear that eBay does not open and inspect what they are shipping out. Assuming this is the case, and they are just forwarding the items in their original packing from the seller, who is liable for any damages en route from eBay to the buyer? And given that the buyer must pay the domestic freight from the seller to the eBay shipping center, and then whatever eBay charges for forwarding, how do the total charges to the buyer compare?

Luckily for me, eBay is but a very small percentage of my business, but they result in a large percentage of my headaches!

Raphael

[Ripduf1]

Hi Raphael, I have had only one experience using it and it was flawless. I sold a mantle clock sold to someone in UK. The seller (me, in this case) was only responsible for shipping to ebays export location which was in Kentucky. So it sold for $50 and $13 shipping to KY. They take it from there (I believe it cost the buyer $30 more) to get it from Kentucky to the UK. I did call them to clarify that they take the liability once it is received into their Kentucky facilities. Give them a call and make sure, but I have to endorse it based on my experience. John

[estott]

I've used it only once, I sold a watch to someone in the UK. Everything went smoothly and I was spared the trouble of filling out forms. As far as something small & uncomplicated goes I'd recommend it- I can't speak further.