ge_rik
British narrow gauge (esp. Southwold and W&LLR)
Hi Folks
A few weeks ago, I had a message from eBay asking if I wanted to participate in their "Global Shipping Programme". I think it must have been an invitation to opt out rather than opt in because I don't remember doing anything about it. I then promptly forgot all about it.
Yesterday, I sold some old Esso maps on eBay which I'd listed ages ago (and almost forgot about). I'd gone for eBay's "Simple Delivery" (I do like to keep things simple) and so clicked on the postage label link and printed it out. I did think the address of an industrial unit in Lichfield looked a bit strange but I've sent books to booksellers before who have presumably then made a fortune on reselling them. The postage cost was £2.94 (GBP).
I always print out two copies of the packing slip (one for the customer and one for my records) and was surprised to see the postage cost listed as £18.33 (GBP). It was then I noticed the registered address of the customer was in Canada. I had a slight panic that I might suddenly be charged for the additional postage (more than three times what I was making on the sale) so contacted eBay's customer services. After ten minutes trying to explain my problem to a very unintelligent AI bot, I was finally put through to a far more intelligent and knowledgeable human who patiently explained how global shipping works.
www.ebay.co.uk
So, if something similar happens to you and, like me, you only read instruction manuals when something goes wrong, you'll hopefully now know what's going on. And don't be surprised if what you've listed on eBay with only local postage costs ends up somewhere exotic.
Rik
A few weeks ago, I had a message from eBay asking if I wanted to participate in their "Global Shipping Programme". I think it must have been an invitation to opt out rather than opt in because I don't remember doing anything about it. I then promptly forgot all about it.
Yesterday, I sold some old Esso maps on eBay which I'd listed ages ago (and almost forgot about). I'd gone for eBay's "Simple Delivery" (I do like to keep things simple) and so clicked on the postage label link and printed it out. I did think the address of an industrial unit in Lichfield looked a bit strange but I've sent books to booksellers before who have presumably then made a fortune on reselling them. The postage cost was £2.94 (GBP).
I always print out two copies of the packing slip (one for the customer and one for my records) and was surprised to see the postage cost listed as £18.33 (GBP). It was then I noticed the registered address of the customer was in Canada. I had a slight panic that I might suddenly be charged for the additional postage (more than three times what I was making on the sale) so contacted eBay's customer services. After ten minutes trying to explain my problem to a very unintelligent AI bot, I was finally put through to a far more intelligent and knowledgeable human who patiently explained how global shipping works.
Global Shipping Programme
The Global Shipping Programme can help you reach millions of buyers in over 100 markets around the world. You're protected from negative and neutral feedback, and have control over which of your items you want to send through the programme.
So, if something similar happens to you and, like me, you only read instruction manuals when something goes wrong, you'll hopefully now know what's going on. And don't be surprised if what you've listed on eBay with only local postage costs ends up somewhere exotic.
Rik
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