From what little experience I've had, it's been a huge convenience for sellers and I understand why everyone's opting in. eBay provides you with a label to print out so that you can avoid the post office altogether and when payment is typically held pending receipt from the buyer based on tracking details, you end up getting your money much quicker as they pay out when it reaches their int'l shipping center, which usually takes days whereas overseas transit could take weeks otherwise.

I'm not saying it's fair, I'm just saying it's a significantly added convenience for sellers. eBay always holds my payments until tracking confirms delivery btw.

Yes sellers can't see the fees with that program
It is possible though to contact the seller and tell them what your country is - then (assuming they're ok with that) they can maintain exceptions to the global shipment programme (opt out basically for that country) for that sale and then you can agree a postage cost
I did that so I could combine some items
But depends on the seller because as Oli mentioned it does kind of make it easier on the seller side not to have to get quotes for shipping all the time to various countries.
I've shipped stuff to Australia and Japan lately which I'd have probably not done before.

I absolutely hate Ebay for selling items.  I think Etsy's platform is far more user-friendly for sellers than Ebay.  However, I purchase far more on Ebay than Etsy, and I feel Ebay is somehow easier to browse as a shopper.

My most recent transaction had over half the estimated postage refunded as the seller queried the eBay 'global shipping' charges on my behalf.
It would appear that as a buyer you can't query the 'global shipping' charges but the seller can.

Paying import VAT is fine by me (so annoying when they deliver without charging it and I have to go through the rigmarole of contacting customs to declare my imports), but what always riled me is paying VAT if buying from a private seller. WTF is that racket about?

Last edited by Moose Maclennan (2016-02-02 05:34:35)

I got a dark brown pair - very versatile, and a blue/green pair - not very versatile at all! But those were the only ones that were my size, and I knew the fit exactly, due to my having bought a pair of dark olives from Zach a few years ago. They're great strides as you know - the perfect rise and taper.

Spot on mate, thanks. They're more of a 5-pocket than a formal trouser like the Lees, but they're great - good fit too. I've got another pair of vintage Levi Sta Prest of a similar vintage as the Lees (early to mid 60s?), and they're cut in a very similar way, totally unlike the brown ones you sold me. I think the variety and style of Levi Sta Prest is pretty vast.

Is this actually getting more ridiculous?

Saw a rather nice shirt which costs US $29.99 (Approximately £24.54) but the delivery is US $52.75 (approx. £43.17)!!! I mean, it's a shirt, this really is taking the proverbial isn't it? Are they shipping it in a lead box?

There are post offices and then there are post offices. I am lucky to live in a small town and the ladies at my post office know me well and are very helpful. Hell, they even call me up to tell me something's arrived sometimes.

When I lived in Torrington, Conn.. which is a small city, the post office experience was quite different. Long lines and a lower level of competence, to be tactful about it. Also the worst parking lot ever designed, with a giant employee area blocked off and hardly any cars in it, and a small one for the plebes, complete with tank traps in the pavement and a general sense of despair.

Last edited by Patrick (2017-01-13 10:21:46)