Which is better? GSP or manually shipping abroad?

[dans_mini_motors]

I primarily sell small items, such as LEGO minifigures.

I've been using eBay's Global Shipping Programme for international orders, but since eBay doesn't combine packages, buyers often end up paying around £17 for shipping, per figure, making it quite expensive for them.

Additionally, GSP shipments have been taking a week to be processed, and three weeks or more to arrive to my buyers. Whereas if I shipped manually, they could reach buyers within a week or so in most cases.

If I handled shipping myself, I could send multiple figures in a single package at a much lower cost.

My question is: Would it be better to manage international shipping myself? While it would require more effort, I’ve successfully done this on other platforms regularly. Also the main concern, would switching from GSP affect the visibility of my listings to international buyers?

[**peaseblossom**]

I'm not sure about the visibility but as increased visibility is an optional extra you have to pay for I don't think ebay would give it away free.   Apart from the that I think direct postage is better as you have more control, and as you say, it's cheaper for the buyer.  You could give it a try and see how it goes.  You can always come back to GSP if you decide that's better.

[wyntersemporium]

I came off the GSP due to someone accusing me of reproducing a item (I’m not that brainy to do it) 🤣🤣

anyway I’ve been sending a few via Royal Mail to the USA - one of my items is just about to arrive at her house in Illinois after 30 days.  No idea where it’s been more than likely held in O’Hare customs. 

[m25jet]

Although I gave up selling on eBay when they got rid of PayPal and introduced eBay Managed Payments, when I did sell on eBay I would always despatch items sold to overseas buyers via Royal Mail International Tracked And Signed postage.  The reason I did this was partly due to the fact that I didn't trust eBay to handle the postage side of things, as well as the fact that it costs overseas buyers quite a lot more to purchase something via eBay's Global Shipping Programme.  Therefore, I felt that by opting out of the Global Shipping Programme and offering overseas buyers an international postage option that rendered the use of eBay's Global Shipping Programme unnecessary, it would make my listings more of a financially viable option for overseas buyers than it would if they were to purchase the same item from a seller who had chosen to use eBay's Global Shipping Programmme to post items to overseas buyers.

[jckl1957]

I tried GSP but buyers complained it was slow and expensive.

I don't sell much but did post a brooch to Latvia on Monday which was delivered today using RM International Tracked.

I would suggest using RM Click and Drop - it adds IOSS details electronically (essential so your buyers don't pay tax twice) and you can produce and print a Customs Label at the same time.