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The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-02-08 6:23 PM (#608642)
Subject: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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I know that this is a trivial, selfish whine, but thought somebody might find it amusing.

Pre-covid, I was able buy stuff for my 56 Dodge off eBay and get it shipped to either Blaine WA or Point Roberts WA, both about 20 miles away from me in the Vancouver BC area. Both sit on the Canada US border. It would take less than a week to show up (once three days from Florida), typically in Point Roberts (because the border crossing is much quieter in terms of numbers). I would pop down, buy gas and peanut butter (a brand banned in Canada), get my goods and return home. Took about 90 minutes door to door. It was great. But under Covid that is gone.

So now the options for Canadians are eBay "Global shipping" (an expensive nightmare) or get delivery to a US mail drop and then have them deal with it, e.g. Courier or USPS. I have done it three different ways so far. The faster ones are more expensive, the less expensive ones are slower. (Makes sense - I guess)

Most recently I bought a MAC tool S-84 Center Plane Brake adjusting tool off eBay and had it shipped to Blaine. That took about 3 days. Then I went cheap (which wasn't that cheap) and had fellow at the mail drop send it to me via USPS. It finally arrived today after going from Blaine to Seattle, then Seattle to San Fransisco, and then up to Richmond BC (where the Vancouver International airport (YVR) is located). Then it took 4 days to get from Richmond to where I live (about a 20 minute drive - in traffic). Crazy.

Can't wait for Covid to go away.

And for people to stop dieing from it.

What I bought:



It's travel itinerary:






Edited by 56D500boy 2021-02-08 6:45 PM




(TrackingCentrePlaneBrakeTool_1.jpg)



(TrackingCentrePlaneBrakeTool_2.jpg)



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Powerflite
Posted 2021-02-08 7:24 PM (#608644 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Solution: Make a friend in Seattle.

What brand of peanut butter is banned in Canada, and why?
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58coupe
Posted 2021-02-08 7:53 PM (#608645 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Dave, stop your whining. I LIVE in the U.S. and am faced with paying what amounts international rates all the time unless I use USPS and then for only small items.
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-02-08 7:55 PM (#608646 - in reply to #608644)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Powerflite - 2021-02-08 4:24 PM
Solution: Make a friend in Seattle.
What brand of peanut butter is banned in Canada, and why?


Seattle wouldn't help me. The parcel would still be sent from there to San Fran or LA before heading north again.

The peanut butter is Skippy. I thought it was banned but the real reason is apparently greed:

" But due to competition and pricing that hurt the brand's profitability in Canada's market, the company decided to pull the brand (Skippy) —both smooth and crunchy varieties—from the country's grocery store shelves"

I thought it was icing sugar or poly unsaturated fats. Nope just good old greed.

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imopar380
Posted 2021-02-08 9:52 PM (#608650 - in reply to #608646)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Dave - get it shipped to Blaine then have a guy meet you on the other size of ZERO avenue, and throw the package over the ditch ( ZERO Avenue is in Canada on our side of the international border for those who don't know, it's just a ditch, but has plenty of cameras!!). Then watch the Agents swoop down!!! LOL

This is actually the ditch / border between White Rock, BC and Blaine, WA where people meet to talk ! How about that for a border between two countries!

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/families-meet-along-0-avenue-to-connect-across...

Edited by imopar380 2021-02-08 10:47 PM
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Old Ray
Posted 2021-02-08 9:56 PM (#608651 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: RE: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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56D500boy - 2021-02-08 4:23 PM .  So now the options for Canadians are eBay "Global shipping" (an expensive nightmare
 

My eBay account shows 437 purchases with 100 % positive feedback shipped to Canada and that is whenever posssible by the global shipping program, it is usuallly half of what USPS wants for the shipping and I have never had a nightmare. 

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22mafeja
Posted 2021-02-09 1:45 AM (#608657 - in reply to #608651)
Subject: RE: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid


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For an overseas buyer the GSP is bad news. Sometimes the prices are ok but often sky high.
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-02-09 2:05 AM (#608659 - in reply to #608645)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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58coupe - 2021-02-08 4:53 PM
Dave, stop your whining. I LIVE in the U.S. and am faced with paying what amounts international rates all the time unless I use USPS and then for only small items.


I said in my opening statement that I was whining so no surprises.

Prior to Covid closing the border (to non-essential travel), I used USPS to Point Roberts WA a lot. You can get a lot done with their flat rate boxes (max. weight 70 lbs). The best was a starter from Florida to Point Roberts in a $14.95 medium flat rate box in three days. John F. at Big M shipped biggish stuff to me in Point Roberts several times via Fedex Ground for reasonable money. I had a complete drive shaft sent from Montana to Point Roberts via Fedex Groung for $35. I also had a transmission shipped from Iowa to Ferndale WA via Fastenal's shipping partner for $200.

So all those were good. Now I can't do that and, everytime I try Global Shipping, things take forever (or longer). I bought a NOS brake return spring for my power brake project on January 6th. The last siting was January 25th somewhere. Nothing since. I can't move forward on that project until I get it. It's frustrating.

[ Whine mode off]
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58coupe
Posted 2021-02-09 11:23 AM (#608668 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Dave, do you have a postal box in Blane or do you just have them hold for pickup?
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-02-09 11:41 AM (#608671 - in reply to #608668)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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58coupe - 2021-02-09 8:23 AM
Dave, do you have a postal box in Blane or do you just have them hold for pickup?


I have accounts with two virtual mail boxes two different service providers (there are probably 10 in Blaine). Normally, they receive my shipments at their locations with my "Apartment" (client) number in the address and hold them until I cross the border and pick them up. Under these Covid conditions, they will forward the parcels to me, via one of three mean$. More $$$ = Courier (and brokerage fees), less money = USPS but insane routing (Blaine-Seattle-San Fransisco (or LA) then Canada (Richmond BC (airport)) and then into the Canada Post system.

The alternative is Global Shipping directly to me which is expensive *AND* it takes a long time.

I know I'm whining.



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56D500boy
Posted 2021-02-12 2:23 PM (#608787 - in reply to #608671)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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56D500boy - 2021-02-09 8:41 AM
The alternative is Global Shipping directly to me which is expensive *AND* it takes a long time.


UPDATE: On Feb 10th, I contacted the seller of a brake return spring that I bought on Jan. 6th, complaining about my "lost" brake return spring and said

"I bought that (the spring) from you on Jan.6th. I bought something from somebody else on Jan. 10th and it was delivered on Jan 27th. More recently, I bought something on Jan. 25th and it was delivered today. So I not really buying the Covid delay story. Especially since the last tracking entry was Jan. 25th. Something is wrong."

The seller responded:

"This item was shipped through Ebay's international shipping service, so I will have to check with them about any type of update on it. I will update you, as soon as I know anything."

Then a bit later on the 10th, she said:

"So I just got off the phone with Ebay. Please keep in mind that I have no control over any of this. This is what he told me:
1. The item is not lost, it is in transit, and is still on it's way.
2. It is at Ebay's distribution center in NJ.
3. He also brought up the delays because of Covid.
I am sorry. I wish I could do or say more to help
C."

I replied:

"Thanks for checking C. Sorry but it in that case it has been sitting stuck in NJ for 17 days. Even with Covid there is a problem that isn't Covid related. I'll let it slide for a bit longer but at some point soon, I will have to ask for my money back and try to find another brake return spring. I can't move forward with my project without a spring. I was hoping the one that I bought would be the answer but I can't wait forever, waiting on eBay Global Losing."

So that was Wednesday Feb 10th.

On the morning of Thursday Feb 11th, I checked the tracking and it still said ""Jan 25, 2021 8:26pm PROCESSED AT LOCAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER"

Then around noon, the mail carrier knocked at the door. Guess what?! The mail carrier left the "missing box" containing the spring. Gee, it only took 36 days (purchased Jan 6th). I know Covid is delaying things but that was more than a delay.

I immediately let the seller know:

"Hi. Despite tracking still saying that it is in NJ, guess what just showed up with the mail carrier at lunch? Yup. Your box filled with my spring. I took it downstairs and tried it on my Power Brake Pedal assembly and it fit perfectly. If only Global Shipping was better at tracking their parcels, we both could have avoided the unnecessary grief. Hey only 36 days.
Anyway, thanks. "

Bottomline: I am going to avoid eBay Global Losing in the future, even if it costs me more $$. At least with my alternatives, I have more assurance that the parcel (probably containing NOS parts) won't go missing.

The brake return spring, finally installed (now I can move on with this project):




Edited by 56D500boy 2021-02-12 2:28 PM




(55WindsorPowerBrakePedalAssemblyWith1556693BrakePedalReturnSpring_1.jpg)



(55WindsorPowerBrakePedalAssemblyWith1556693BrakePedalReturnSpring_2.jpg)



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RDP
Posted 2021-02-12 3:05 PM (#608792 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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eBay Global Losing - laughter through tears, my item did not arrive, ebay said it arrived or it will arrive so they will not refund,
their shipping system is ## @! # %*!
I am waiting for two months
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Powerflite
Posted 2021-02-12 3:32 PM (#608794 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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I sell my HEI conversions all over the world. The worst place to ship is typically Australia. Many times it takes 2 1/2 months for a small package to arrive there. I always have to deal with people wanting me to wave some kind of magic wand to make it appear, but the reality is it gets caught up in customs, probably from covid related issues. And the customers get really frustrated at the lack of details in tracking. The US customs number says it is in Long Beach the entire time until it arrives to them.

Edited by Powerflite 2021-02-12 3:38 PM
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RDP
Posted 2021-02-12 3:38 PM (#608795 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Usually the package arrives from the US in two weeks. At the same time, I was buying parts from Rock Auto. they arrived in a week and a half.
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-03-15 1:34 PM (#609890 - in reply to #608787)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Despite my vowing not to use eBay Global shipping again, on a recent (March 1st) eBay purchase, I checked out the USPS charges to Canada and they were insane (it is only a small box, not gold bullion with insurance!!). As a result, I let the shipper go with Global. The package shipped to Erlanger Kentucky via Cincinnati Ohio (seems like a familiar story). It arrived in Erlanger on March 3 and was processed on March 4th. On March 5th "Shipped from the Global Shipping Center to International Destination". And that is the way it stayed (with no updates) until this AM when there was this update:

Mar 15, 2021 4:01am In Transit with Destination Carrier New Westminster, BC

So I was hopeful that it might be delivered today or tomorrow. (Tracking actually said the delivery would be March 22 to 29th)

This a bit later this AM I got a random email "Great News! Your shipment with Apple Express order number 20284794 is on its way."

Huh? Apple Express who the F*K are they? And what are they doing with my package?

Then I noticed that the eBay tracking has this info:

Apple Express tracking #20284794
USPS tracking #9505506584861061464302
Global tracking #UPAAC000000140060157

Hmm...

About 30 minutes ago, somebody in a random private vehicle (happened to be a 2000(ish) Chrysler 300) gets out, walks up to the door and drops a package in a re-labeled USPS small flat rate box. It was my item (in good shape).

Out of curiosity, I disassembled the box labels. (See below) The sellers label is on the left, the second label, that was over that, is on the right. So APX is Apple Express? Who knew? Should I care? Will there be software updates?

UPDATE: Apple Express just sent me a delivery notice with a Photo of my house as "Proof" (??). Okay then. {shakes head}



Edited by 56D500boy 2021-03-15 2:02 PM




(GlobalShippingLabelingExample.jpg)



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Powerflite
Posted 2021-03-15 2:22 PM (#609899 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Apple is now in the shipping business? That shows you that the profit margins in shipping are very high. Lots of companies want to be in it.
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58coupe
Posted 2021-03-15 3:44 PM (#609908 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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I can no longer get Rock auto to ship to me. We have city and borough sales tax in my area (not in the state) and the local government decided to try and collect tax on internet purchases.
Rock auto informed me they don't have a way to collect and pay these taxes so no more parts unless I have them shipped to a relative in Anchorage and then pay to mail to my house.
There are many Ebay sellers that refuse to ship to Alaska or Hawaii even though USPS priority boxes cost the same nation wide. We are treated like a foreign country.
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-04-08 1:40 PM (#610806 - in reply to #609890)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Just had another Global Express delivery. NORS fuel pump purchased on eBay March 24th from someone near Kansas City. Arrived in Erlanger, Kentucky March 29th via Cincinnati OH. Out of Erlanger on March 30th. Arrived in my Canadian city yesterday. Delivered this AM by Apple Express. (This time the label said Apple Express, not APX)

Overall, not bad. I guess I am getting used to/comfortable with the Global Express/Erlanger hub thing.

Still, I can't wait until the border opens up a bit (at least) so I go to Point Roberts WA to pick-up eBay parts for my 56 Dodge.

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big m
Posted 2021-04-08 6:59 PM (#610816 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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I sent a fuel filler door to a customer in Finland, and it must have been on a scenic trip. Turned up in Australia, then Japan, and a month or so later, to the proper destination in Finland. Pretty wild!!
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-10 12:36 PM (#614139 - in reply to #610806)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Somehow, I have to stop buying off eBay until the US/Canada border opens enough that I can go down to Point Roberts WA (about 30 minutes away from me) and pick up my packages in person.

Currently have one 56 Dodge part that I bought on July 21st being delivered by eBay's Global Express today (so 19 days in transit - normally 3 days pre-Covid). At least they tell me that it is being delivered today.

I have another part that was purchased on July 29th and delivered to Blaine WA on August 3rd. Then I had my agent there send it to me via US Postal Service. I am starting to give up on it. It went from Blaine to Seattle to Portland to LA (area) and now is sitting in Federal Way (between Seattle and Tacoma). Makes no sense. I thought that it would be flying from LA to Richmond BC (near the Vancouver Airport) but no. Makes me crazy.

I have to stop buying. First, I guess, I need to stop looking for NOS parts, etc.



Edited by 56D500boy 2021-08-10 2:20 PM




(56DodgeSideVShippingTravels.jpg)



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ronbo97
Posted 2021-08-10 1:33 PM (#614142 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid


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Apparently, the borders are open as of Monday, 8/9. You need a recent PCR test as proof that you are COVID-free.

Ron
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-10 2:10 PM (#614144 - in reply to #614142)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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ronbo97 - 2021-08-10 10:33 AM
Apparently, the borders are open as of Monday, 8/9. You need a recent PCR test as proof that you are COVID-free.


Strangely, that is only true for Americans crossing North to Canada. The US is still not allowing non-essential Canadians south yet. Not sure why.

PS: It's not just the need for a Covid test. You also need proof that you've had two shots of vaccine.



Edited by 56D500boy 2021-08-10 2:21 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-10 4:17 PM (#614146 - in reply to #614139)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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56D500boy - 2021-08-10 9:36 AM
Currently have one 56 Dodge part that I bought on July 21st being delivered by eBay's Global Express today (so 19 days in transit - normally 3 days pre-Covid). At least they tell me that it is being delivered today.


Well one down and one to go.

This was today's:





(ebayNOS1647754GoldenKnight.jpg)



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Powerflite
Posted 2021-08-10 5:21 PM (#614147 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Nice, where does that go?
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-10 6:52 PM (#614148 - in reply to #614147)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Powerflite - 2021-08-10 2:21 PM
Nice, where does that go?


The new ones will replace my original ones that I filled, sanded, primed and painted. Like this:



REFERENCE: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=64505&...

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Powerflite
Posted 2021-08-10 11:09 PM (#614151 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Cool, I didn't realize those were 2 separate pieces.
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hemidenis
Posted 2021-08-10 11:26 PM (#614152 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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I'm considering myself lucky then, I purchased stuff from all over the US and is ok, some stuff inadvertently from china too, since the seller usually listed the items as US based, but the package came directly from China.

Never had any problems so far.

You Canadians had many covid problems, "free" healthcare, border closures an extreme left government and Royal Queens....something got to give...

John Chard from Canada, missed two Carlisle events in a row now do to the government closures...
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-17 10:53 AM (#614254 - in reply to #614139)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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This will hopefully be the last update on this ridiculous pathway to Canada.

Previously my package had gone from Blaine WA (20 miles but a border away from me) to Seattle, Portland, Bell Garden CA, LA and then back north to Federal Way (south of Seattle).

Then it went from Seattle, back to Portland, back to Bell Garden CA, then LA, then Compton, then LA (Again!!) then Seattle (oh no! please, not again), then finally into Canada (hope!!), Canada Customs, and now Canada Post. Going to take 2 more days to go about 12 miles from the Vancouver Airport to me.

Very Efficient.

NOT!!



Edited by 56D500boy 2021-08-17 10:58 AM




(Aug17_2021_USPSTrackingAug9toAug13.jpg)



(Aug17_2021_USPSTrackingAug13toAug17.jpg)



(Aug17_2021_CanadaPostTracking.jpg)



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Old Ray
Posted 2021-08-17 4:33 PM (#614261 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Sorry Dave, but I am confused, was that shipped by USPS ?

I have never seen eBay's Global Express parcels put into the USPS system, all of my orders go to a central location at Erlanger, Kentucky and then are flown to Canada and clear customs at Toronto and reshipped by Canada Post.
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-17 5:36 PM (#614262 - in reply to #614261)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Old Ray - 2021-08-17 1:33 PM
Sorry Dave, but I am confused, was that shipped by USPS ?
I have never seen eBay's Global Express parcels put into the USPS system, all of my orders go to a central location at Erlanger, Kentucky and then are flown to Canada and clear customs at Toronto and reshipped by Canada Post.


I might have inadvertently confused you Ray. There are two items in this current round of frustration.

I have the first item. It was put into the Global Express system by the seller who used USPS to get it to Erlanger and then we know the story.

56D500boy - 2021-08-10 9:36 AM.
I have another part that was purchased on July 29th and delivered to Blaine WA on August 3rd. Then I had my agent there send it to me via US Postal Service. I am starting to give up on it. It went from Blaine to Seattle to Portland to LA (area) and now is sitting in Federal Way (between Seattle and Tacoma). Makes no sense. I thought that it would be flying from LA to Richmond BC (near the Vancouver Airport) but no. Makes me crazy.
I have to stop buying. First, I guess, I need to stop looking for NOS parts, etc.


For the second item, the seller wouldn't ship to Canada so I had them ship it to me at one of my two mail drops in Blaine WA (small town, right at the border, just south of White Rock BC). From there, I had the maildrop guy resend it to me via USPS. And that started the insane merry-go-round of Blaine-Seattle-Portland-LA-Seattle-Portland-LA-Seattle and finally over the border. The US Postal Service system is more that just a bit Fk'd up (in my humble opinion).

I am supposed to get the 2nd item tomorrow.

In the meantime, I am not looking on eBay for any NOS parts for my old girl (the car, not my wife).

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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-18 3:29 PM (#614286 - in reply to #614262)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Well finally.

Parcel (box many times to big for the item) was delivered by Canada Post just before lunch today. The golden knight is NOT as shiny as I hoped, but it is, as I had seen in the eBay photos, 99.5% pit free. So it will be a good candidate for replating (with gold - actually not that expensive).

I have not and will not go back to eBay until I can cross the US border safely and easily again.

This:

Edited by 56D500boy 2021-08-18 3:31 PM




(Aug18_2021_TheFrequentFlyer56CustomRoyalSideBadge.jpg)



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Landyacht67
Posted 2021-08-18 5:13 PM (#614291 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Location: Langley BC Canada
I feel your pain,
I've given up on ebay for the near future. Maybe one day we'll be allowed to return to the land of cheap gas, and cheap shipping!
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Chrome58
Posted 2021-08-19 5:32 AM (#614300 - in reply to #608651)
Subject: RE: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
Old Ray - 2021-02-09 3:56 AM

56D500boy - 2021-02-08 4:23 PM .  So now the options for Canadians are eBay "Global shipping" (an expensive nightmare
 

My eBay account shows 437 purchases with 100 % positive feedback shipped to Canada and that is whenever posssible by the global shipping program, it is usuallly half of what USPS wants for the shipping and I have never had a nightmare. 



Well, you are in luck then...

International shipping from US to Europe via eBay Global Shipping IS indeed a expensive nightmare.
I think it's due to the fact that most sellers are lazy and are "guessing" weight and dimensions, rather than really measuring them precisely.
Which might not have a great impact on price for internal US shipping, but is an extremely different matter for international shipping.
Which is why I've practically stopped buying off US eBay, several years ago.

When I really want something, and that Global Shipping is too expensive, I contact the seller and ask him to confirm the weight and dimensions.
Sometimes it helped, as the shipping price was then reduced.
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wizard
Posted 2021-08-19 8:46 AM (#614302 - in reply to #608642)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island
E-Pain has became exactly a pain. Their Global shipping program stinks - I have to pay excessive and then drive to pick up the parcels. So, practically I’ve stopped buying anything. If I really must have an item, I ask the seller to give a flat rate quote.
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1960fury
Posted 2021-08-19 11:00 AM (#614306 - in reply to #614302)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Location: northern germany
wizard - 2021-08-19 8:46 AM

E-Pain has became exactly a pain. Their Global shipping program stinks - I have to pay excessive and then drive to pick up the parcels. So, practically I’ve stopped buying anything. If I really must have an item, I ask the seller to give a flat rate quote.


Same for me. Looking back, the early Ebay days of the late 90s and early 2000s were paradise. Shipping was reasonable and I do not think anyone starved to death. I bought alot, but not enough. If I had known, I would have bought 24/7

Now it got even worse for German buyers, as quietly, w/o any coverage in the news, they dropped the custom tax exempt amount. Meaning we have to pay a fee+ the post $$$ charge for the declaration "service" for each $1 Dollar item.
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56D500boy
Posted 2022-11-18 3:04 AM (#625712 - in reply to #614286)
Subject: Re: The Magic of buying off eBay from Canada in times of Covid



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Location: Lower Mainland BC
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Not exactly a Covid issue but the following is a cautionary tale for those who use two or more shipping addresses on eBay and/or PayPal, and this is true for all eBay buyers, not just Canadians sitting 20 miles from the US border.

Case in point: After participating in a thread about anti-sway bars today after returning from my Point Roberts WA mail drop with a new treasure, I decided to check eBay for a larger 7/8" 56 Desoto/Chrysler anti-sway bar (which the full spec 56 D500s got - but not my "Spring Special" 56 D500 (which just had the normal 13/16" bar)).

As luck would have it, there was a 56 Windsor 7/8" bar on eBay on a Buy Now. I hestitated for a moment because I had an appointment at the bank that I need to be at coming up with in the next 10 minutes or so. *BUT* because I didn't want to lose the bar, I clicked on the Buy Now button and proceded to PayPal and paid. Then off to the bank.

What I forgot to do in that process was to make sure that my US address was the one that I wanted to use. My bad. Very Bad.

When I got back from the bank, I had a notice from the seller about my purchase and I saw that he had my Blaine WA address, not my preferred Point Roberts address. OH CR4P!! Blaine can take an hour to get through the border. Point Roberts is like 5 minutes (if I time it right - like I did this AM).

So I contacted the seller and explained that I needed to change the address and I gave him the Point Roberts address.

He replied "No Problem". I was relieved. At least for 15 minutes.

The seller soon emailed me back and said eBay would NOT let him change the shipping address.

We to'd and fro'd on that for a few emails and then he abruptly cancelled my order and refunded my purchase (Funny thing, the amount I get back is now less than the amount that I paid due to fluctuating and dynamic exchange rates and general eBay gouging.) :P

I was afraid of losing this bar (I have been looking for one on and off for years) and decided to check out the sellers' eBay "store".

However, before I went there, I checked my eBay account and found that I had left my preferred eBay shipping address as Blaine WA during Covid (they would tranship to Canada). That would *NOT* have been a problem *IF* I had changed it when I was in PayPal but in my haste to get to the bank appointment, I had missed doing that.

So the solution was to change my preferred eBay shipping address to Point Roberts WA before I bought again.

I found the item back in the Seller's store and clicked on the BUY IT NOW button. This time it was using the Point Roberts address and things went through fine. The seller confirmed the second purchase and that he was able to create a Point Roberts shipping label through eBay.

SO...

The take-aways are:

1. Pay the attention to the shipping address when you are buying because the consequences could be bad, i.e. losing the item that you have been searching for for years

2. eBay will *NOT* let a seller change the shipping address from the preferred one the buyer has in his profile even if the buyer requests it. (Makes sense I guess)

3. Buyers *CAN* change shipping addresses while paying with PayPal (if they are paying attention - not like some people)

4. Monitor and/modify your eBay preferred shipping address if you have more than one that you use (during Covid, I had at least three: Home and two in Blaine because they would trans-ship to a local Canadian address (for a fee)).

Luckily it worked out for me today


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