Aggressive buyer complaining about GSP

[buytikiselltiki]

It doesn’t happen often but when it does it’s usually trouble – have a buyer who is sending messages about once an hour complaining about their costs through the GSP – especially about combining items for a discount – plus a lot of whining about how much money eBay makes.

After several calm and fact based replies, the last thing I honestly want to do is deal with this person. The last time this happened the buyer pretended the package was damaged and sent flame messages and threats – and naturally, eBay refunded them ( and GSP protected me,)

It’s a group of auctions, of course.

I’ve never blocked a bidder but am very tempted to do so in this case. ( In fact, almost tempted to block this entire country…)

Should I let it ride and deal with the fallout later – or avoid the entire thing now?

[AdventureE]

I would offer that it is about choosing how you wish to spend your time. Since you already know there is probably going to be “fallout” if they purchase, is that how you wish to spend your time? If you are already spending a lot of time with the buyer before the sale, how much more time and energy do you wish to invest? How much time and energy do you have to take away from listing, managing your store, and/ or shipping sold items?

[Jay]

If you’re asking this question, why not block?
Easy fix.

[buytikiselltiki]

Yep, looking for a little backbone I guess – the customer is always right unless… Haha.
Kind of thrilled to have this forum, Feels like I’ve seen it all then realize I haven’t! many thanks

[Jay]

Block them and then ghost them.
Silence is the best antidote against grumpy buyers.
Nothing they can do.

[Ryanne]

wait so they haven’t even bought anything from you yet? BLOCK, IGNORE.

[Liz]

Block them! You aren’t required to sell to something to them. Why are you afraid to block them?

[buytikiselltiki]

Thanks again for having a place to bounce stuff around – had not used a block for years. The best theme is, why waste time!
Locked the door on this cat, but of course looked at some items he had up for sale – laughed uproariously when the large rude vegetable listing appeared.
Back to listing and packing and THANKS

[Inglewood]

As someone who buys using the Global Shipping Program, I think there is confusion over the wording eBay uses. It should be the “Global Shipping and Customs Program” as it also includes customs charges (taxes/duties) that are collected ahead of time so you don’t have to pay them when the item is delivered.

Buyers are paying the following when they use GSP:

1. Shipping from the origin to Erlanger, KY
2. Shipping from Erlanger to their country (in my case, it goes to just outside Toronto)
3. Customs/Duties/Taxes to bring it across the border
4. Repackaging/Labeling to ship within their home country
5. Shipping from home country warehouse to their address

Therefore, you are paying for multiple shipping/handling/customs points during a GSP shipment to get it to you without hassle.

In my opinion, if something I can’t get in Canada is available GSP and I need to pay a bit more in GSP fees to get it to me, it is worth it.

[Jay]

Total agree with you here. eBay does not make clear that the GSP costs includes all the duty and taxes that a buyer’s country charges (plus all the different shipping).

I believe that the shipping is also Priority which includes tracking. Some buyers compare to the cost of first class with no tracking.

[buytikiselltiki]

GSPhas been great, many fewer issues – but you’re right, I don’t have a chance to see what eBay is telling the customer. In the old days you had to always say ” your country’s customs, duties, taxes are the buyers responsibility etc. ” and the biggest problems came when buyers wouldn’t pay at delivery. Sad to hear that eBay isn’t clear about what’s included – certain this could have been avoided if they were more open or clear.
I also pack things very carefully, I think eBay just slaps a new label on the package but… Don’t really know,

End of story, blocked bidder, no issues, and the items sold for well beyond expectations. Happy happy!

[Inglewood]

The GSP fees are clearly shown to a buyer based on the country they are buying from on the listing. They are broken down into additional shipping and import charges for the buyer to see. I just don’t like how small they are on a listing compared to the pricing and original shipping costs to get to Erlanger, KY. eBay doesn’t provide a total, which is frustrating for me when comparing items as I have to add 4 numbers together (item cost + U.S. Shipping + GSP Shipping + Duties) to see what I may be spending.

[Ryanne]

i wonder what GSP shipping & customs looks like on mobile. wonder if it’s hard to see?

[Inglewood]

Here is a GSP example as it would look on my Canadian eBay account:
[IMG]http://i65.tinypic.com/2eydqur.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i65.tinypic.com/2wfk7s4.png[/IMG]

[Ryanne]

thanks for the screenshots, ok looks like they show it pretty clearly.

[Author]

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