Sending multiple parcels to the gsp centre?

se2020

I had a set of large car wheels listed on ebay.
I did not originally select the gsp option but it looks like Ebay have added it regardless..

A buyer from Europe has bought and paid for them using the gsp.

My listing states that the wheels will be sent in 4 separate parcels which is how I would normally send them to the uk but can I still send them to the gsp center like this?

Due to the size I can not find a carrier that will take more than 2 of them as one parcel anyway so even if I packed them togeather it will still be 2 parcels and those parcels will be over the maximum size for the gsp anyway.

I am wondering if it is better to cancel this sale and relist for the buyer as 4 separate listings although I do not know if they will then have to pay more duty and import charges if I do it that way?

soolin

I’m not sure how this will work if it is all on one listing, you may need to contact ebay GSP CS and ask them. 

se2020

I have emailed ebay who have just replies with a link to the gsp terms/conditions.

This lists a maximum weight and size for a parcel but not a maximum number of parcels. 

If packaged as one then they will be over the maximum size allowed for the gsp.

I did list the size and quantity into the original listing but ebay seem to have ignored this when automatically adding the gsp option 

I can not find anything j the t&c's about multiple parcels though

soolin

se2020 said:

I have emailed ebay who have just replies with a link to the gsp terms/conditions.

This lists a maximum weight and size for a parcel but not a maximum number of parcels. 

If packaged as one then they will be over the maximum size allowed for the gsp.

I did list the size and quantity into the original listing but ebay seem to have ignored this when automatically adding the gsp option 

I can not find anything j the t&c's about multiple parcels though

Ebay don’t read descriptions or explanations about how you will post, all they do is add GSP to the listing and expect you to use the postage stated in your listing. However they don’t account for splitting parcels and will rely on either the weight you showed in the GSP part, or an estimated average parcel weight for your goods when they charge the buyer the overseas postage. I believe the issue will arise when the parcels get to the hub as they are unlikely to Re box the two items together and I can see them just sending the first one to the buyer, and then allowing buyer to open an SNAD claim when they only get two wheels. The second parcel may well confuse them as it will have the same GSP number .

If you cancel the sale buyer could leave negative feedback, and that is more likely if you re list them and buyer ends up paying considerably more for an item he had already won once. However if one parcel exceeds the weight limit then you have very little else you can do except cancel.

Spoonie_Turtle

se2020 said:

I had a set of large car wheels listed on ebay.
I did not originally select the gsp option but it looks like Ebay have added it regardless..

A buyer from Europe has bought and paid for them using the gsp.

My listing states that the wheels will be sent in 4 separate parcels which is how I would normally send them to the uk but can I still send them to the gsp center like this?

Due to the size I can not find a carrier that will take more than 2 of them as one parcel anyway so even if I packed them togeather it will still be 2 parcels and those parcels will be over the maximum size for the gsp anyway.

I am wondering if it is better to cancel this sale and relist for the buyer as 4 separate listings although I do not know if they will then have to pay more duty and import charges if I do it that way?

It is unlikely; if anything they may pay less in duties if the wheels individually fall below a relevant threshold.  However they would almost certainly pay more in postage - but if it is the only way to be able to send them, maybe the buyer's only options are to pay more postage or simply not have them. 

I can't imagine the system would let them scan 4 parcels with the identical GSP number, so only one would track which may well result in only one being sent.  Unless there is any way the system can set it up to recognise there are 4 parcels, but considering it won't let people combine postage, that may be extremely unlikely.

Oh, here:
4e vi. You will post all GSP Items contained in a single order to the UK Shipping Centre in one package;
vii. You will not combine multiple orders (either belonging to the same Buyer or different Buyers) in a single package
https://pages.ebay.co.uk/shipping/globalshipping/seller-tnc.html

Spectacularly unhelpful for your situation, especially as you didn't actually opt-in in the first place!

soolin

Just as an aside but useful I think, all sellers will be opted into GSP (you need to actively opt out) . Ebay announced this in their last business seller update, and whilst that is titled ‘business’ seller update it actually applies to private sellers as well , except ebay don’t appear to bother sending the update to private sellers. I only knew about it because I get emails about the updates on my business account, I can see the announcement if I look in my private accounts- but I am not told about them automatically. 

noitsnotme

soolin said:

Just as an aside but useful I think, all sellers will be opted into GSP (you need to actively opt out) . Ebay announced this in their last business seller update, and whilst that is titled ‘business’ seller update it actually applies to private sellers as well , except ebay don’t appear to bother sending the update to private sellers. I only knew about it because I get emails about the updates on my business account, I can see the announcement if I look in my private accounts- but I am not told about them automatically. 

When is this due to take effect?

soolin

noitsnotme said:

soolin said:

Just as an aside but useful I think, all sellers will be opted into GSP (you need to actively opt out) . Ebay announced this in their last business seller update, and whilst that is titled ‘business’ seller update it actually applies to private sellers as well , except ebay don’t appear to bother sending the update to private sellers. I only knew about it because I get emails about the updates on my business account, I can see the announcement if I look in my private accounts- but I am not told about them automatically. 

When is this due to take effect?

I think they started last month or maybe this month , it's difficult to tell with ebay as their timings for roll outs often slip.

olgadapolga

noitsnotme said:

soolin said:

Just as an aside but useful I think, all sellers will be opted into GSP (you need to actively opt out) . Ebay announced this in their last business seller update, and whilst that is titled ‘business’ seller update it actually applies to private sellers as well , except ebay don’t appear to bother sending the update to private sellers. I only knew about it because I get emails about the updates on my business account, I can see the announcement if I look in my private accounts- but I am not told about them automatically. 

When is this due to take effect?

I just checked my account and found that I've been enrolled into the GSP. No notification from eBay.

jon81uk

OP, I think you are best to refund, cancel and apologise to the buyer, then relist making sure all international postage is off.

se2020

I did have some listings that I had selected gsp but some where I did not.
I went through all my listings last night and it looks like ebay have now automatically added the gsp option to everything including items that would be oversized for the gsp program.
I can see some poor sellers ending up having problems when they tell the buyers they can not actually post these items...


Anyway, back to my original post..
I have spoken to the buyer and given them a refund.
I have now listed the wheels as 4 separate items so they have now made 4 individual purchases, 
Next question - I now have 4 unique GSP ID numbers. Normally this number forms part of the shipping address so I technically have 4 different addresses to ship to.
Do you think I could just ship them all to the gsp center putting the reference numbers on a separate lable?

Ie. If I book 4 parcels with my carrier they give me 4 lables the same butbnumbered 1/4, 2/4 etc.
Or do I need to book them as 4 individual orders?

I noticed the link above saying you must not combine multiple orders but I presume one delivery of multiple packages will be ok?