Woe, Canada (sorry)

[buytikiselltiki]

Sorry for the gripe, but it happens with regularity.

Canadian buyer makes purchase, doesn’t pay or respond to messages, then after several days says they really meant to offer less and can the shipping be less ( GSP ).

So, write back politely, won’t ship internationally without GSP, reminder that it includes local taxes, duties, customs, and let us know if you want to cancel.

Seriously about the only recurring customer issue I encounter.

Understand that it is stupidly expensive to ship to Canada, ( this box would be 6 pounds and was listed as priority ) and that there are a lot of taxes and exchange rates etc.etc.

I can’t see what a Canadian buyer sees but seems as if it would be great if eBay could make the charges more clear to manage expectations and make buyers (and sellers) secure and happy.

And, looking at the forum topics, I do whine on about this. last time.

[Jay]

I look forward to the Canadians to weigh in here.

From what I’ve heard them say import duties are not charged across the board. Ive never heard a good explanation, but for some reason taxes are charged arbitrarily. So many will say that if you send a first class package, they often will not have to pay a extra duties. Seems weird to me since they have laws that permit it.

Also, Canadians will say that shipping to Canada is as safe as the US. Plus if you ship GSP, they pay for the extra leg to the Kentucky warehouse, and then pay to have it mailed to Canada.

Ultimately it’s your choice as a seller. If your listing says GSP, then the buyer knows what to expect.

[buytikiselltiki]

Have had many successful transactions to the north – just really interested in what the buyer sees and why the costs seem to be such a surprise!!!!

[ebaymom]

buytikiselltiki,
I hate to say this but I get the majority of shipping cost complaints from Canadian prospective customers – more than any other country. I don’t ship First Class International anymore because of (lack of) tracking. Only GSP and Priority Mail International. It always seems to be a complaint about not offering First Class International – actually some of the emails lately have been customers telling me how much less it SHOULD cost along with a too-low-ball offer. I politely decline and move on, but it has me questioning my Canadian strategy on lightweight items – I have wondered if I should exclude Canada because I am unable to provide what many are asking for at the price they want and I am not sure it is worth the trouble of INAD’s or dealing with negative feedback.

[Sigilini]

I have successfully shipped to Canada for the most part (about five – six sales this year) without using GSP. Once an item was lost in the mail, first class, tracking was totally crazy, item was in three places at once (in the US). Customer got full refund, I got nothing as there was no insurance. Another time my buyer had to pay some kind of tax (electronic item but I don’t think that had anything to do with it) but in all other times, no issues no problems, item got there fine, no extra fees, everybody was happy. But lately I have started listing items priority mail to Canada if the item is very valuable.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by Sigilini.

[Sharyn]

USPS does provide tracking to certain countries, and Canada is one of them. So, you should be able to buy a label from eBay and provide tracking.

I usually just offer GSP; however, if a buyer asks for first class international and they are from one of the countries that has tracking, I have a business policy set up just for that situation. This can also be set up for individual listings without using business policies.

The list of countries that provide tracking can be found at the following link:
https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc2_022.htm#ep3032639

Took me forever to find that damn link! I guess I didn’t bookmark it the first time.

[Inglewood]

As a Canadian buyer, when you see an American seller’s listing using GSP, the taxes, duties, and shipping costs are extremely clear. I posted a screenshot on the forum a few months ago – will post the link if I can find it. However, it is VERY clear to the total costs.

There is this weird mentality in Canada that some people have when they can’t get things for the same price as Americans they get upset. If I personally want something, I know I have to pay more for it if it comes from the U.S. or find a local alternative (which may be more, and have less selection). The same people don’t seem to complain or have issues when items are cheaper here (such as free healthcare).

Taxes are charged arbitrarily if you ship by USPS – any other shipper (UPS, FedEx, etc) will charge taxes, duty, and a fee (usually $20 – no matter what the price is) for brokerage. The GSP program is up front, and only charges what exactly should be charged. I personally like it.

You can avoid these issues by having the buyers pay immediately…

[buytikiselltiki]

Thanks for that perspective!

Honestly, the costs to ship to Canada, not even considering the other charges, are nuts. On the USPS website, my 5 pound Priority box is $10.95 to ship to Niagara Falls and $47.80 to ship to Toronto.

Yikes!!!! That’s a hefty premium.

God call on the immediate pay, have to start adding that back in.

[Steven S]

It’s easy to see what your GSP buyer sees for shipping rates, just click on the shipping tab on your item and choose the country, it’ll come back with the total charges including import tax.

[Author]

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