Global Shipping Program - A cautionary tale.

[RAMBA]

I believe this has been discussed on a couple of threads but I have just had a rather unfortunate result with the Global Shipping Program. This one photo is as close to this old kukri as I will get. Probably a timely reminder to all.

Lesson is don't buy on eBay late at night, when tired, press buttons, exchange a couple of short messages and walk away thinking certain arrangements are in place. And ensure your seller is not using the Global Shipping Program for anything you might want to show here.

I bought this kukri straightaway as it had a buy it now option and had just started its 7 day auction and had no bids. These are sort of my thing and these kora hilt more so. A lovely old one with the Nepalese kora hilt - they don't turn up often.

The seller had in their listing description that they would use 2nd class mail to ship (I assumed this was domestic and international) and I even asked for it to be sent 1st class mail as I paid the asking price - this they said yes to - I left it at that. I certainly though it was coming direct - then when it shipped I noted it was with GSP. I had another look and it would seem that yes they were using GSP for international. I probably just missed this when in checkout - it was late. But I thought when I asked for 1st class mail it was not with GSP. I though well see it in two weeks - I had not even though that this item may be on any restricted GSP list, not that familiar with this program, with what seems almost anything else now I have looked.

Anyway it was last week classed as a "restricted item" by the GSP for shipping to Australia and never left the UK. It is not a restricted item into Australia with Australian Customs. The first I heard of it was a refund from Paypal on my phone and messages from eBay saying - "The item in question has been deemed restricted. This could be due to import/postage restrictions or eligibility requirements within the Global Shipping Program. The item won't be sent to you, nor returned to your seller."

I contacted Pitney Bowes and eBay within the hour and PB response a day later was - "We have looked into your query, and can confirm that the item was restricted for delivery to the Australia. It was reviewed by the Dangerous Goods Approved representative and was deemed that we could not deliver this item to you as it contains “ Item confirmed classified under Chapter 93 (arms and ammunition – parts and accessories), due to global security concerns restricted to All Countries “ Each country has different restrictions, and unfortunately this was unable to be delivered." Global security concerns - was this a ballistic missile?

They have failed to actually read the full Chapter 93 as ..........."Notes.1.- This Chapter does not cover (f) Collectors' pieces or antiques (9705.00.00 or 9706.00.00)." so this was annoying as their shipping specialist quoted a customs act that they had not fully understood. I told them so sending the entire Chapter 93 with highlighted bits. Heard nothing on this just terms and condition and thanks for reaching out - a term I hate.

I have spent the last five days back and forth on the phone and emails to Pitney Bowes and eBay. I sent research, reference book extracts and museum collection images to show then this was an antique item. The ignorance - told if I buy another one from this seller don't use GSP next time - and far reaching policy terms and conditions brick wall means effectively they can do what they like without any recourse or appeal while having to listen to eBay telling me that we can work this out and this is about my safety. Ebay even conceded this was "rare' event as normally the platform would not allow a restricted item to be listed with the GSP shipping opinion.

I have even offered to pay for the kukri to be shipped back to the seller at my cost rather than go in the bin. All on deaf ears.

I was fully refunded and I believe the seller got to keep their gains but I though that it was not the point.The seller was very apologetic and said they had never sold anything "like this" and had inherited the kukri from a relative and had no need for it.

eBay have now informed me the item has been disposed of and thanks for my feedback! Yeah cheers.

I've learnt my lesson.