eBay Global Shipping Program - Does It Work Well

The one comparison I had when it first came out on selling a bellhousing (and defaulted to the shipping program) was that like most anything eBay is invloved in profit margin is high! i.e. it was significantly more expensive than using UPS or FedEx direct.

Julian

Do not know - but as far as my shipping experiences are US - BE wise (and I have had shipped a looooot of stuff), I prefer to have things shipped UPS/FedEx wise, rather than with USPS.

I use to bought a lot of part for my pantera from the States. Lately, UPS custom fees and other work perform by them explode.....Last week I pay $60.26 CD for a part paid $101 CD (appox $85 US). I even ask another supplier, before buying, if he could ship with regular US postal service...His answer was that he can't choose a shipping method for the stuff he sell through EBay...I can give the UPS invoice details if you want. From now, I will try to not use Ebay anymore....

eBay does not require sellers to ship internationally by using their "Global shipping program". You can use your own preferred method. There are listing requirements that need to be addressed for this option.

USPS allows international first class parcels up to four pounds. The size limitations for that classification only restrict TOTAL girth to a maximum of 36". The 12" maximum side length that is applied to other shipping classes does NOT apply.

An online USPS account allows you to do everything needed for international shipping from your home computer. Set up a CC or Paypal account as your billing choice. Fill out forms. Print. Attach to package. However, international parcels must be presented at a USPS office, not an independently-run satellite office.

And for our Canadian members, there is an exemption to custom fees that likely applies to all the parts found on a Pantera.

Thanks to Mark Charlton for this -

Thanks for the responses, all -

Regards -

Rocky

Duty isn't the only problem. Brokerage fees are the killer for those outside of the US.
USPS is the only carrier I will use.
Will

I've shipped my shift knobs all over Europe and also Australia with USPS without issue. Once you get the hang of the forms it's easy. I alway state gift and a value under $40.00 to avoid fees on the receiving end but my parts have been small.

Steve

We use the US Postal Service for all foreign shipments, and most domestic shipments too.

My experience - UPS and Fed Ex are extremely more expensive on foreign shipments. And as Will mentioned there's the brokerage fees to contend with, which don't come into the picture with the US Postal Service. Fed Ex may handle the parcels a little more carefully, but only marginally so; UPS handles the parcels worse than the US Postal Service ... reminds me of the old Samsonite luggage commercial with the luggage being tossed about by monkeys. All 3 offer tracking and insurance. Here in Ventura the US Postal employees are also the most knowledgeable and professional, they know exactly which forms need to be filled out, etc. About two minutes at the counter and the transaction is complete. Fed Ex employees are second, but they fumble around trying to figure out foreign shipments. A transaction takes about 5 minutes. The UPS store is run by morons, shipping with them leaves you wondering if the package will make it to its destination. The transaction time is even longer than Fed Ex.

For shipping to Canada — and I suspect other destinations outside the US, the KEY is to NOT use Ground services. When using FedEx priority and UPS Expedited (both overnight) the brokerage fees are included. Using USPS at the receiving end in Canada invokes only a $5 fee for clearance. The best part is that our mail carriers are usually too busy to bother with collecting the taxes and fees. Happens about 50% of the time I use the post office.

Mark

I have purchased a fair number of parts on US Ebay & they were shipped to Australia using Ebays Global shipping program.
As a buyer I'm mighty impressed at how cheap this freight service is.
Previously freight out of the USA was expensive, or more typically, US sellers just were not interested in selling Internationally.

This Global shipping program has made it cheap for International customers to buy out of the USA.
It's been a game changer.

regards,
Tony.

I fully agree with Tony. Have bought parts which have been sent via the global shipping program. No problems at all; cheap and fast shipping!
Wolfgang