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 Replies: 21 / Views: 5,570 |
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Valued Member
Norway
89 Posts |
Forgive me in case this subject has already been discussed, but if not, could someone please explain why one should pay these GSP "import charges"? An example from a short time ago: Coin sold to highest bidder for $89.79. Shipping: $ 26.71 (higher than usual, but ok, no big deal) And finally: import charges $ 32.16 ("estimated and based on current bid"). Is this a scam, or what? Registered mail provides sufficient tracking options, and there are no import duties on coins (not in my country and not in most others, and should there be, these can be paid when receiving the item). Am I wrong in suspecting that they compensate (together with unnaturally high shipping costs) for the fee sellers are charged with by ebay by pushing it elegantly over to the buyer? When asked for an explanation, the seller claimed that he was not aware that these "import charges" existed (and automatically added to the invoice). Comments welcome. Edited by diatonix
05/11/2014 07:17 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
I really despise it because of story after story of things like this happening. It has messed me up a few times now.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5324 Posts |
It's an new ebay fee that sellers in the US can opt out of by clicking the right box, the Global shipping program, can not legally in my case, act for Canadian Border Services, and .999 silver or gold coins are duty free anyway. I contact US sellers if they don't opt out, I don't bid. By the way there is also a surcharge by the shipping company for a 50.00 item there is almost 50.00 in Global Shipping fees. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
856 Posts |
Same for the UK diatonix. Here 'numismatic items of collector interest' are not due import duty, only VAT. And that is at a reduced rate. The shipper ebay uses appears to be unaware, or unconcerned that their charges do not match this. Like john100, for me Global Shipping = no sale. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5324 Posts |
ebay is also using the negative option system on their US buyers, they are all automatically in the Global shipping program, but you can opt out, simiply put it's a rip off to foregn buyers. This is a shipping charge on top of a shipping charge.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
That would be why I don't use it. I looked, but can't find how to opt out of it. I just uncheck it every time I list.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
It's not a ripoff, it's just an inept application of import duties. They've no clue what is and isn't duty-free for any given country, and just charge for it anyways. Utter bone-headedness on ebay's part. |
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Valued Member
 Norway
89 Posts |
But how much of it (if anything) ends up in the seller's pocket?
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Seller doesn't get a penny of it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
 Yeah, it's not the sellers fault, except that they are in it. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5324 Posts |
That's the whole point, it's not a fair shipping charge to the buyer, but the seller has no monetary benefit but looses some foreign bidders and sellers can opt out. There is no benefit for a buyer to be in this program, just ebay benefits, I am happy to pay fair shipping charges. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5324 Posts |
A correction, there is no benefit for a seller to be in the Global Shipping program, only ebay benefits. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2124 Posts |
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Valued Member
Norway
89 Posts |
Many sellers seem to be unaware of the fact that they are using GSP. One of them even asked me what GSP was as he had never heard of it! So, what on earth is going on, doesn't it show when they access their own listing?
Edited by diatonix
05/13/2014 03:16 am
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Valued Member
440 Posts |
Glad I did a search and read these threads. Was contemplating using this ebay GSP service on my current coin auctions. Sounded pretty good while reading through the ebay explanation of GSP on their site; here not so much. Seems like it is more trouble than it is worth. ebay fees are killing me lately. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
541 Posts |
After reading this thread a few days ago I went to my ebay and opted out of the Global Shipping Program. then yesterday I sold a medal to a high bidder in the UK. When I tried to send him an invoice I was blocked by the GSP even though I had opted out days before. I then checked my status and found that I was still opted out of the GSP! Phoned ebay and the young lady said I had to have the buyer ask for a total and then I could send an invoice. Today after the buyer requested the total I am still prevented from sending my invoice. I am also prevented from sending the bidder my email address which is also my papal account! I sent the bidder an ebay email telling him not to pay the ebay GSP billing. Next I may have to snail mail him my paypal address so he can pay me. |
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Replies: 21 / Views: 5,570 |
Posted 05/11/2014 09:52 am
