Sellers say eBay opted them in to the Global Shipping Program without their knowledge. It wouldn’t be the first time sellers complained about being opted in to the GSP without their permission. The matter can be a serious one, since there are laws about what can and can’t be exported from the US (or imported into other countries).
The program, controversial from the beginning, is meant to boost cross-border sales, but some say it makes their items appear too expensive to overseas shoppers, while others object to injecting a third party (Pitney Bowes) into the transaction.
One EcommerceBytes reader told us they use the traditional eBay listing page, where eBay had now made the Global Shipping program the default. “It is selected when you use international shipping,” the seller said.
Sellers also discussed the issue in a thread on the eBay discussion boards on Sunday. “Noticed this AM that on “Sell Similar” form, Global Shipping is checked off-i.e. you have to “uncheck” it to opt out.-very sneaky,” one seller wrote. “I don’t know how long this has been the case, but it’s very easy to miss-especially when you’re not expecting it.” Another seller wrote that they had observed the same thing. “I can’t believe eBay has converted all of my Auctions to their Global Shipping Program – again!!!” wrote one EcommerceBytes reader.
One of the readers who contacted us on Sunday who has a Basic Store told said eBay was also making free shipping default. Sellers are advised to check the settings on their listings.
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