When purchasing goods online, I use my PO box as the delivery point, both for convenience and for security -- both Australia Post and private couriers tend to leave packages at the front door from where they can be stolen instead of leaving a "Sorry We Missed You" card in the letter box.

Ordinarily, this is no problem for eBay sellers UNLESS they are using eBay's so-called "Global Shipping" which insists on a street address because it uses some form of international couriering (e.g. FedEx), via Pitney-Bowes International (PBI), that will not deliver to PO boxes.

But worse, PBI has been accused of all sorts of fraudulent behaviour and profiteering including deliberately crushing boxes (to reduce volume) and charging "import fees" that don't apply.

eBay washes its hands of any associated problems saying it's the seller's choice to use this program.

I gather that eBay almost forces this "service" onto its sellers because eBay takes a commission from PBI.

This rather verbose video clip describes what happens. Note some of the comments:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZwZgcoc_zw.

I now tell sellers that if they insist on using PBI/eBay Global Shipping instead of packing and posting the item themselves, then I will not purchase from them.

You are right GTC, but they have totally brain-washed the Yanks such as they think eBay is god.
You do not have to be tied into Priority Post International (the most expensive rate) I ask will they ship First Class International, the intelligent sellers will, those who are afraid of sending to lands far away say no. That is there loss.
For sellers to say PBI does it all for us is just lazy.
There is no import fees into Australia under a certain item price, never paid duty yet after 40 years of buying from overseas.
I am buying almost nothing from the USA now, unless the seller will take it to the post office and send it First Class International personally.
eBay is just getting too greedy and lazy, palming off all the customer problems to a third party, who also take no responsibility.

I'll admit that I've used Ebay to buy and sell over the years and in a general sense the experience has been satisfactory however there are issues and these relate to all the systems in place on Ebay designed to milk the world of money in the same way that sites like Facebook milk peoples' sanity.

Ebay's major 'crimes' over the years have been:-

Forcing PayPal on sellers.
At least one attempt over time to block other legitimate payment options and only permit PayPal.
The fact that PayPal will more often favour a buyer in a disputed transaction, regardless of the buyer's ineptitude.
Extortionate fee structure.
Complex corporate structure designed solely for tax avoidance and to be as least contactable as possible.

I gather that eBay almost forces this "service" onto its sellers because eBay takes a commission from PBI.

It's pretty much like the top ten websites in the world - money talks and BS walks. Unfortunately the more punters they get the bolder they get. At the end of the year they all measure their appendages and have a little comparo to see who has the biggest one.

I now tell sellers that if they insist on using PBI/eBay Global Shipping instead of packing and posting the item themselves, then I will not purchase from them.

I operate pretty much the same way though I extent it to everything I buy from whoever or via whatever out of necessity. No-one is at home to sign for deliveries during the day so I expect sellers to put what I buy through the post. Even my domestic mail goes to my GPO box so when I empty everything from my street box I just chuck it all in the bin without going through it because I know it'll all be junk mail. Bills, letters, replacement ATM cards, etc are all safe and secure and away from ID thieves.

The buyer is the customer. We are always right.

I'll also say, with the benefit of just having watched the linked video, that if Ebay wants to endorse this arrangement then they deserve to cop all the stick from buyers relating to the issues associated with it.

I haven't sold a radio on ebay for a few months but I did notice back then that they had started to charge sellers a percentage of the postage costs. Not sure if they are still doing this. Its supposed to be there to keep the minority of the sellers who over charge postage fees honest, but to do this by punish all sellers. Only ebay could get away with charging this fee/charge for no service/goods in return.

Peter

EBay are not the only scammers!

This week I was interested in an Atwater Kent. Priority post quoted as A$74.

When I queried if that was firm, the answer was US$800! If I had bid without asking..too bad.

An AK Model E speaker from one seller US$58 post, next seller (same item) US$280 post.

Go figure

Baz

Ebay are still charging 10% of postage costs, on top of auction fees and paypal fees.
That and the confusing postage calculations make selling very unpleasant. ebay seem to think that everything will fit in a standard aus post box.
This leads to heartache with buyers who see ebay's 'calculated' postage at $10 are pretty annoyed when they find out post is actually $25

I'm just about over it.

Even a leech will eventually give up on you when its full. Ebay.... well how deep are your pockets. If you don't have pockets there will be a fee.

Charging 10% of postage when they aren't even part of the supply chain IS a rort of the highest order. Again, not surprising though, given Ebay's track record. The ACCC should never have allowed them to buy Gumtree either. Trouble is, when an Australian company wants to buy a competitor it is not on but when a foreign company wants to do the same thing then it is open slather and only the sale price remains to be decided.

It'd be no different to me charging members here to comment on other forums. I wouldn't get away with it but because Ebay is large enough to absorb the fallout from their payment schedule their care-factor is somewhat less.

I didn't realise that eBay owns Gumtree. How long before they screw that up, too?

eBay would make Gordon Gecko blush.

They swallowed Gumtree a few years ago. They didn't waste time putting "an Ebay company" at the footer of the site.

I got me a Global shipping parcel that cost more then the item ...it was just dumped on the door someone was here but sadly we didnt hear them...still
it did arrive intact which was a blessing ..since this thing had travel further then I ever will

Apparently it gets shipped to some mob (as GTC stated) that seem to have a thief's paradise running they then reship via different mobs depending and agree 100% its a rip off....I only deal where ever possible if I have to buy OS from the US with those that offer alternative shipping...I'll take the risk
(I think basically I copped two shipping fees...the sellers to them and them too me)

till someone builds a better mousetrap I guess we are stuck with the likes of ebay with there hand in your pocket 3 times over ...but there greed maybe there undoing with a bit of luck...and someone will build a better mouse trap

I got told of another mob but no idea how they charge and they are for bizz more so ...Alibaba
I've never used them but I guy I know does and loves the place...But at the end of the day that lovely Latin expression applies
anyway Cheers

PS Oh and yes it wouldn't accept my PO box which I use for security....lol
so insecure dumping on your front door is their idea of security???

"I didn't realise that eBay owns Gumtree. How long before they screw that up, too?"

I always wondered why multiple EBay listings would always show up in amongst the search results on Gumtree.

Chris