Ebay 2014 Fall Update! Note The Gsp Changes.

Hey All,
The dreaded ebay Seller Update is out for the Fall. No rate or category changes for once. The returns process has been revamped, but not too worried about that.

It's the Global Shipping Program that ever seller in the U.S. and a number of buyers in several countries really need to pay attention to. Even if you "don't ship internationally" it doesn't look like it will be a choice.

ebay's Fall Update! http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinforma...details.html

ebay is really trying to push people in the global shipping program. Be aware and avoid like the plague. Other interesting update - a buyer will be able to cancel a sale up to an hour after the closing time provided it's not marked shipped.

Highlights!


•Starting in late September, buyers in select countries will be shown an international shipping option with end-to-end international tracking on eligible listings. This option will be shown on listings where the seller hasn't already specified an international shipping service.


•Note this update does not apply to your listings if you are currently enrolled in the Global Shipping Program or have previously opted out of the program—if so, all of your current preferences will stay the same.


•Along with the priority international shipping option, buyers will also see import charges. These charges include customs duties for the imported item and brokerage fees used to process the transaction.


•This international priority shipping option will be automatically applied for countries whose buyers primarily shop on ebay in English: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore, Ireland, South Africa, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, and Mexico.


•If your item sells to a buyer in one of these countries, you simply ship it to a processing center in the US. Any import charges are collected from the buyer at checkout, and a global shipping provider ships your item on to the international buyer.

All bolding is mine.

What to do? Better make sure you have a specified international shipping option already selected for each listing or you are opted out of GSP. How to do the latter, who knows?

Why is the GSP program bad? - You'll see posts on here soon enough or just read the ebay shipping forum. No short supply of horror stories. Its extremely costly for the buyer - extra shipping fees, broker fees, customs fees, etc. They also repackage items at the facility in Kentucky. And if the shipping service decides it can't be shipping to its destination - seller gets to keep the money, buyer gets a refund and the shipping service doesn't return the item - it's to be disposed or as some have learned sent to a reseller to be resold on ebay. Hopefully small items shipped at letter rates won't be eligible at all, but folks selling albums, collections and other lots at parcel rates probably will be affected. ebay's details are fuzzy at best on some of these issues.

Quote:

What to do? Better make sure you have a specified international shipping option already selected for each listing or you are opted out of GSP. How to do the latter, who knows?

Easy to opt out of GSP:

From My ebay, go to:

Account
Site preferences
Shipping preferences - click "show"
Under 'Offer GSP' select "NO"

Hopefully that choice will be there in late September. When GSP first started it wasn't and to opt out meant you closed your account.

The real problem is that a lot of people are going to be caught by surprise as won't read the email and wonder why international buyers aren't buying or upset at the additional fees.

I always ship internationally myself already so I shouldn't be caught up in this impending mess. I hope.

*nevermind* GSP option showed up on a reload.

It's still showing on my account. It's the first item

John

Thanks for the warning Battlestamps!

I have just received an email from ebay UK informing me of alterations to their user agreement. Among other changes it tells me that they are ........"adding new terms that apply to the Global Shipping Program....on ebay.co.UK, through which WE MAY MAKE YOUR DOMESTIC UK LISTINGS AVAILABLE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS at eligible countries". This would automatically commit me to selling internationally using their Global Shipping Program.

As I read this it would be done even where I had specified shipping within the UK only, so I would be forced into shipping overseas, and into using their Global Shipping Program, against my wishes. I have to opt out of the Global Shipping Program at listing, country or account level. So rather than let sellers "opt in", ebay is making inclusion the default option. A form of forced selling that can only be aimed at increasing their revenue from this heavily criticised and expensive service, which I see as of dubious benefit. Just check out the volume of on-line blogs slamming ebay's Global Shipping Program.

Terry

ebay is also forcing the "Hassle-free returns" program down US sellers throats - all will need to participate by the 2015 holidays. These latest changes may be the straw that breaks a lot of backs... Their managed returns program gets slammed repeatedly in the forums just like GSP, and is IMO totally unnecessary (and potentially extremely costly) for stamp sellers.

They're systematically and relentlessly removing every remaining "good" stamp seller, LOL.

ebay has lost all concept of what a marketplace for collectibles should be. In its crazed attempt to become an Amazon clone, ebay has completely blurred the lines between how consumer goods (hard drives, deodorants, etc.) and collectibles (stamps, rare dolls, etc.) are transacted. We can only hope that one day these types of categories will be divided and common sense will be restored as far as concerns collectibles.

I think it is worse than that. I believe they are constantly thinking of ways to increase their profits by imposing compulsory "service" schemes on sellers. These schemes are of dubious worth, expensive for both sellers and buyers, and can only ultimately result in a loss of sales. This is the classic first step on the path of diminishing returns, for both sellers and the organisers. There would be no better time than now for a new outfit to offer a fairer and less costly sales platform than that provided by either of the two greedy big boys.

Terry

ebay is in the process of proving, for like the trillionth time, that "one size doesn't (ever) fit all."

Am I understanding the above properly to mean that if a buyer instigates a refund request, ebay will automatically refund the buyer by deducting funds from your account without your prior consent?

That is how I read it. With no option to opt out.

Terry

All the buyer has to do is claim "not as described," and the seller will automatically refund the buyer the full purchase price PLUS return shipping cost. Of course, there will be no check on whether the item was actually misdescribed or not, nor will there be any check on whether the buyer returns what you actually shipped them (or whether they return anything at all.) ebay also will specify the way the buyer should return it and provide the return label (at your cost, but without your input on how to return...) That can (and already does) lead to some extremely high return shipping charges for the seller.

The system is already wrought with fraud (unscrupulous buyer wins expensive item, claims SNAD, returns empty box, keeps both the expensive item & their money.) I'm sure the crooks will have a field day once every seller is forced to use this.

It gets even better! http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinforma...details.html


•Sellers will be responsible for return shipping when there's an issue with the item or the item wasn't as described.

•Starting early next year and throughout 2015, the features and benefits of the current hassle-free returns process will begin to be added automatically for more US sellers:
An ebay return label provided automatically to the buyer requesting a return
–

Tracking uploaded automatically with the ebay return label so you can track the status of the return—and see when it will be delivered back to you
–

Assurance that the return shipping cost will not exceed the original shipping price if you used ebay labels for the original shipment
–

Configurable automation rules to streamline your business practices—for instance, buyer gets a refund instead of a return if the item is less than $10
–

Starting in mid-September, automatic refund to the buyer after 6 business days once the item has been delivered to the seller and as long as the seller has not asked ebay to step in and help
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Well, I see a lot of sellers will stop using stamps for postage and switch to ebay labels to insure they won't be hit by higher return shipping costs. ebay is really forcing tracking down everyone's throats as well. That will make shipping even more expensive especially international sales are eventually included.

Also be aware of the upcoming configurable automation rules for returns or you might be giving away your $10 and less items away for free if the buyer files an item not as described. No return will be needed apparently.

Well if I'm going to gamble with the money in my Paypal account (i.e. take a chance that ebay might give it back to my buyers without my consent), I think I'll do in Vegas - much more fun and much less work

We'll just leave ebay to the fraudsters - they certainly deserve each other.