Global Shipping Programme

[Perry Owens]

Anyone use this? I am thinking of buying some expensive reloading gear from a US supplier who uses this service. From what I can make out you get an estimate of the postal and all import charges at checkout but don't get the real price until you click on the Pay button. Just wondering about any nasty surprises when the stuff arrives here.

Perry

 

[Gareth J]

I've sent things using it as a seller, you just post it to a UK postal address and that's it. It's very hassle free for the seller....

however, I found out how much they were charging the buyer!!! It was way over the odds for the package/s I was sending.

As a buyer I'd be looking to buy and get shipped direct. And as a seller, I make sure I offer a sensible international postage option when appropriate.

 

[123hotchef]

I've sent things using it as a seller, you just post it to a UK postal address and that's it. It's very hassle free for the seller....

however, I found out how much they were charging the buyer!!! It was way over the odds for the package/s I was sending.

As a buyer I'd be looking to buy and get shipped direct. And as a seller, I make sure I offer a sensible international postage option when appropriate.

yes i am with you on that I have had buyers contact me asking for a quote as it was $100AUS for one guy I sent it direct for £25 . I would be trying to contat the company outside of ebay if that is possible

 

[julianf]

If you're a buyer, if the seller is happy to ship direct, it will be way cheaper.

For sellers it's a convinient thing.

I ship stuff all over (only continent I don't regularly ship to is Africa, but south america America isn't that common either) and for me, I don't care - I mean I just hit print on the printer. If a customs declaration is needed, it's a couple more signatures - no big deal at all.


But a lot of people are a bit phobic of this. Esp I find Americans.... So they want someone else to take care of it - and you will pay for that.

 

[owas]

My friends always getting me to buy parts for his ford excursion from America, worked great everytime I've used it.

 

[Seadog]

And as a seller, I make sure I offer a sensible international postage option when appropriate.

It could well be cheaper, but have you seen the costs of shipping abroad with the USPS?

 

[julianf]

It could well be cheaper, but have you seen the costs of shipping abroad with the USPS?

They always used to do somthing called a "flat rate pouch" which was pretty good.

 

[Seadog]

You'd never know it to look at the costs quoted by vendors in the States.

 

[mrsbruce]

Anyone use this? I am thinking of buying some expensive reloading gear from a US supplier who uses this service. From what I can make out you get an estimate of the postal and all import charges at checkout but don't get the real price until you click on the Pay button. Just wondering about any nasty surprises when the stuff arrives here.

Perry

I used to use this a lot as an ebay seller. Saved me a lot of hassle, and everything got there ok, but pretty expensive for the buyer.

 

[steveo3002]

works ok , wont be any extra costs when it arrives

better if you can get a seller to mark it as a low value gift and send it via thier post office

 

[Farside]

I've sent things using it as a seller, you just post it to a UK postal address and that's it. It's very hassle free for the seller....

however, I found out how much they were charging the buyer!!! It was way over the odds for the package/s I was sending.

As a buyer I'd be looking to buy and get shipped direct. And as a seller, I make sure I offer a sensible international postage option when appropriate.

As a buyer, I avoid the GSP like the plague after being stung by them more than once.
The handy thing about a huge market like the US, is there's usually someone prepared to send the same item via USPS, avoiding the rip-poff of GSP.

 

[Farside]

It could well be cheaper, but have you seen the costs of shipping abroad with the USPS?

Ahah; the USPS site does a pretty good job of hiding their best rates for the customer and a damn good job of showing the best rates for themselves.
Funny that.

 

[daedalusminos]

GSP prices do look high, but they come with peace of mind of no hidden charges - and they will vary from product to product.

When importing to the UK, charges (where applicable) will typically consist of VAT, Import duty and handling charge. I believe royal mail handling charge is approx £8.

Of course, you could get lucky and the seller might mark as low value gift.

 

[cheb]

Tax evasion, only a crime when it's not our tribe that does it

 

[Stueeee]

I buy quite a lot of old car & truck bits from the USA. I've always found the GSP to be convenient and fairly cost effective. I've just bought a set of NOS pistons from Pennsylvania, GSP not available on these. Shipping cost was £68 sent by USPS priority, took a couple of days to reach the UK, where Parcelfarce took over, they've had the package for several days now, been through customs three days ago. No sign as yet of a customs demand, which will from my previous experience take anything up to 14 days to appear; and always with their £8 plus "service charge" added. Once that's paid, it might get delivered anything up to a week later once again from my previous experience.

By contrast, I ordered two sets of NOS piston rings from Ohio several days after ordering the pistons, GSP shipping cost on these worked out at £31-that's all I will pay as customs charges are already included. I have had tracking on these from the word go, they're due for delivery in a few days.

 

[Tangledfeet]

I've used GSP a few times and haven't had any issues. Don't object to paying appropriate VAT and duties, but I do object to the Royal Mail 'administration' fee which in my case has normally been more than the VAT and duty; they sometimes get it wrong too - using US$ rather than the AUS$.

 

[Perry Owens]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have found a supplier who will ship via USPS and give a 10% Black Friday discount. Just waiting for his final price so I can estimate duty and VAT, plus the £8 the Post Office charge for writing to tell me I owe them £8.
Perry

 

[R-D-R]

It can be expensive using these services. I nearly looked at it but after various quotes I organised the import of my bbq via airfreight from the US and a customs/import firm at the uk terminal myself it wasn’t much hassle in the end and much cheaper than the quotes I was getting. Bbq weight was 300kg if I recall, I got the seller to ship it to the us terminal and that was it for them they were happy to do that.