Please someone make this make sense...

Even though I was an experienced eBay seller with several Power Seller accounts, I sold those eBay enterprises years ago, and today, I generally use eBay only for purchases.  However, last year, when I acquired my late friend's model car collection, I sold almost the entire collection on eBay.  From that selling experience, I learned a few new things about how eBay currently conducts its business.  

The biggest thing I learned is that international sales are handled by a central hub controlled and shipped by eBay.  When an international buyer wins a bid, the item is shipped to the eBay Illinois hub, and eBay handles all of the customs paperwork, tariffs, and other shipping costs.  The buyer pays eBay for the bid price and the actual shipping costs.  In the old days, the seller was responsible for arranging shipping and dealing with the complexities of sending items to a foreign company.  It was a PITA.  The new process employed by eBay makes international sales far easier and gives sales access to the entire world instead of just the US audience.  In my opinion, that was a good business move by eBay.  Also, the total value fee applies ONLY to the cost of shipping to the hub.  It is NOT applied to the international shipping cost from the hub to the final country destination. 

Additionally, when eBay handles international shipping, the seller is protected against scammers.  Twice, I had international buyers claim the models were damaged (Considering how thoroughly I protected them, that's virtually impossible) and demanded that I send them money based on the ..... (ahem) ..... "damage" to the models.  I refused, they filed a bogus claim with eBay, and eBay had the buyer return the model to them and refunded their money.  However, I was not held responsible and did not have to forfeit the purchase proceeds.  

With respect to the subject of this thread, the shipping costs are a bit high, but as Chris mentioned, I don't have a problem with a buyer trying to get as much as they can for an item.  This is especially so since foreign sellers still have to endure the complex process of shipping from their country to the US. 

I view it as different than any other transaction.  When we sell our real estate, car, or other items, we generally try to get the highest price possible.  As with everything, if the price is too high for our wallet or sensibilities, we pass on it and try to find a price more appealing to us.  In my mind, it's the same with models.   

@marty-johnson   '...Also, the total value fee applies ONLY to the cost of shipping to the hub.  It is NOT applied to the international shipping cost from the hub to the final country destination.'

Perhaps good for the seller, but we pay tax and import fees on the ENTIRE amount, when it is shipped to Germany, and I am certain the cost of 'shipping to the hub' has been included in eBay's shipping cost.  USPS shipping is much less expensive, though not less expensive than DHL, but sellers are reluctant to send directly, though several I have bought from over the years have bypassed eBay and shipped to me directly.

As for the 'complex process of shipping from here to the US,' it is much simpler, much less expensive, and not a brain-twister to accomplish.  I have been shipping large packages to the USA, and other parts of the world, for nearly twenty years and the paperwork takes me three minutes, if I take my time.  I still have forms in my top drawer, in the event I want to ship a package.  I can even arrange pick-up at my home, negating the need to drive to a DHL office.

Posted by: @gdh

↑

@marty-johnson   '...Also, the total value fee applies ONLY to the cost of shipping to the hub.  It is NOT applied to the international shipping cost from the hub to the final country destination.'

Perhaps good for the seller, but we pay tax and import fees on the ENTIRE amount, when it is shipped to Germany, and I am certain the cost of 'shipping to the hub' has been included in eBay's shipping cost.  USPS shipping is much less expensive, though not less expensive than DHL, but sellers are reluctant to send directly, though several I have bought from over the years have bypassed eBay and shipped to me directly.

As for the 'complex process of shipping from here to the US,' it is much simpler, much less expensive, and not a brain-twister to accomplish.  I have been shipping large packages to the USA, and other parts of the world, for nearly twenty years and the paperwork takes me three minutes, if I take my time.  I still have forms in my top drawer, in the event I want to ship a package.  I can even arrange pick-up at my home, negating the need to drive to a DHL office.

Yes, that is correct.  When I sold my items last year, in my eBay listings, I opted for the stipulation that shipping was paid by the buyer.  If you purchased one of my models as a foreign buyer (to the US), you would have paid all shipping costs to the eBay International Hub, and then the cost to your country.  I can tell you as a seller, this was a blessing as it removed all of the complexities related to overseas shipping.  Plus, I got the additional protection from scammers.  

Regarding your paying import fees, thankfully, as a single-item buyer, we weren't subjected to any additional fees.  However, American sellers of foreign-made models, like Mint Models, Replicarz, and ACME, were charged an illegal tariff, increasing the cost of the goods.   BTW, the old tariffs, which began in 2018, were deemed illegal and no longer in place.  The new tariff, which has a limit of 150 days, will end on July 24.  It's highly unlikely that the unpopular tariff will be extended so it should be smooth sailing regarding the purchase of new models.  

 

Posted by: @marty-johnson

↑

  Yes, that is correct.  When I sold my items last year, in my eBay listings, I opted for the stipulation that shipping was paid by the buyer.  If you purchased one of my models as a foreign buyer (to the US), you would have paid all shipping costs to the eBay International Hub, and then the cost to your country.  I can tell you as a seller, this was a blessing as it removed all of the complexities related to overseas shipping.  Plus, I got the additional protection from scammers. 

I would suspect a large number of foreign buyers didn't avail themselves of your offerings for this very reason, myself included.  Just how complex is it to fill out a form to ship an item, in the USA, these days?  When I was shipping from California, the paperwork was basic, even with FedEx and UPS, and I was shipping worldwide at the time.

 

Posted by: @gdh

↑

Posted by: @marty-johnson

↑

  

I would suspect a large number of foreign buyers didn't avail themselves of your offerings for this very reason, myself included.  Just how complex is it to fill out a form to ship an item, in the USA, these days?  When I was shipping from California, the paperwork was basic, even with FedEx and UPS, and I was shipping worldwide at the time.

 

- You might be right, but due to bad past shipping experiences, I never sold to foreign buyers.  Now, with the new eBay process, which includes seller protection, please ease the burden to allow eBay to handle all of the paperwork, it's something I would not hesitate to do.  I'd be exposing myself to an exponentially larger global audience as opposed to limiting myself only to the US.   

 

@marty-johnson   There is always a risk when expanding one's market in any venture and with eBay's protection your risk has been minimized.  The cost of the risk reduction will be borne by those of us who wish to buy from US sellers and unless the article for sale can only be found in the US, the inducement to part with our Euros to purchase US products will still be in question.  Value = what a seller will pay, and there is a threshold for every buyer.

@gdh - Indeed!