Anyone else notice a new trend: Import charges for cards shipped from the U.S?

[mooneyes]

@#$%$#....OK just slightly frustrated, seeing a lot of U.S sellers charging $12 for shipping (thought is was 6-7) plus now an import tax! I had my eye on an Eberle dual patch/15 for $50 on Ebay, which is about my limit for these cards, but add on 12 for shipping and almost $8 for a tariff essentially, and it costs $70!! Put the darn thing in a reinforced toploader, toss it inside a "birthday card" and envelope and send it off for $3.00!!!!!

...ok rant over, guess the U.S gov't wants their cut as well on the secondary sports card market, and bulk sellers have no choice but to report their business transactions, another example of gov't gouging free enterprise and small business

[Craig2]

It's not the U.S. government taking a piece, but really just Ebay and Pitney-Bowes generating additional revenue for themselves. Ebay takes their chunk, and Pitney-Bowes get theirs by running the shipping center. I can see a benefit to sellers on shipping expensive items internationally, but for most sellers it just seems like a deterrent to sales.

I'm very happy to live in a border city, and to have an American address for shipping. If you're really interested in the Eberle, drop me a PM and I can help with that one.

[30ranfordfan]

This is something eBay changed recently. Sellers can opt into some kind of global priority shipping / postage is all paid for through eBay.

Sellers do not HAVE to do it, but my understanding is that they are more protected, with much less effort, doing it this way.

[mooneyes]

It's not the U.S. government taking a piece, but really just Ebay and Pitney-Bowes generating additional revenue for themselves. Ebay takes their chunk, and Pitney-Bowes get theirs by running the shipping center. I can see a benefit to sellers on shipping expensive items internationally, but for most sellers it just seems like a deterrent to sales.

I'm very happy to live in a border city, and to have an American address for shipping. If you're really interested in the Eberle, drop me a PM and I can help with that one.

Well learn something new everyday, another middle man taking a cut I guess, for a service I suppose to the sellers, thanks for the info! My biggest bummer was a Bergeron patch tag/5 last night, my PC guy, for only $60, but no shipping to Canada, and it sold asap.If something like that comes up again I will for sure send you a PM, Thanks man!!

[andrewconnors9]

yeah these new fees and new postal rates are definitely showing a big problem for us that use ebay frequently, who is, pretty much all of us

[DnJcards]

Yeah it's ridiculous! They decided to automatically opt me into the stupid program so all my items would have been shipped that way, luckily i figured it out quickly and got rid of it becase i dont expect my buyers in Canada to spend $20 for shipping! Unfortunately i caught it after a guy in Canada bought a card and i realized he was spending a ton for a $12 card to be shipped to him. I apologized and told him we could cancel the transaction and id repost it for him but he said it was fine. I felt bad because i can easily print postage from stamps.com for $2.05 that comes with tracking (Customs form works as tracking) to Canada...

[CoolHandLuke]

You need to work around everyone trying to make money. I know I used to go to the post office to mail cards. Not anymore, I bought a scale and I have a Millimeter ruler that is set to the accepted gage the post use and now simply put stamp on the envelope, no more custom form to fill and all cards get there so much faster. At time you need to just understand the system yourself as often post office don't always know the various shipping method and requirement. At least the those who are in store and not real post office. I guess in the US, it's a bit the same things. Now eBay is different since seller charge the customer but at least in trading, it save me ton of money. Anything $200 or less I never use tracking and never run into issue. Did two High end trade lately and the cards got there like in three days. With the custom form it was taking weeks. So lesson learned.

[qwas]

This is a great scam for Ebay because , of course, you pay fees on the extra "import shipping". I have had several like this. All I did was request an invoice without the extra fee and not one seller has had a problem removing it to date. Most aren't even aware it is there.

[sjw241]

I may be wrong, but the "extra fee" takes the place of the customs and taxes you could get charged when your item comes into Canada. Its showing you up front what the charges will be so you aren't surprised after you get the item. Like I said, i could be wrong but that was my understanding. That being said, I wont buy from any sellers that have the extra charge. No matter how badly I want the card.

[qwas]

Just ask them to remove it when they invoice you. I haven't had a problem yet.