Global shipping Programme

[ivanho.]

Hi members, i have just become aware of the shocking cost to buyers who buy items through the Global Shipping Programme.  Recently a buyer in Australia bought three fairly light weight items from me all ending the same day.   He mailed me for a combined shipping quote.  When combined and packed the items weighed approx 280 grams which could be sent via Royal Mail International Standard service at a cost of £8.45.  

However when i attempted to send an invoice i got a pop up saying this item has to be sent via the Global Shipping Programme.  Apparently i am expected to sent the three items seperately to the GSP centre at a cost of £2.80 each(Second Class) a total of £8.40 and the buyer was then expected to pay a further £15.00 + for each item. A combined postal cost of over £53.00 for a package that could be sent direct for £8.45.

There is clearly something very very wrong here.  What way is this to treat a buyer and who is benefiting fom these hugely inflated postal charges?   As a seller who does all he can to keep postal costs as low as possible by using the best materials available, this is an insult, and makes a mockery of everything sellers try to do. It also rips off the buyer who is unlikley to ever buy again from any one who is a Global Shipping Programme user.

I am no longer a user of the GPS and would urge all other members to leave the scheme as well.   A company which allows such an immoral scheme to continue clearly has no regard for either its buyers or sellers and i suspect it is only a matter of time until eBay hits the buffers.  As a small time seller i will be one of the first to cheer when it finally happens.