It is dreadful - and potentially a major hurdle for Australian based collectors like myself. I recently bought some items (3) from one seller in Minnesota. I contacted them prior to bidding to ascertain combined postage costs and was quoted about $30USD which I was happy with so I placed my bids and won all 3.
THEN the Global Shipping problems started...
The seller was very helpful and proactive in trying to find a solution to the crazy postage eBay wanted to charge. Here's the email I received outlining the issue:
I called eBay Support today to ask how I would bill you for the shipping since I can't send you an invoice. It won't let me send an invoice to an international buyer through the Global Shipping Program.After talking with eBay Support, I think we were both confused about the new Global Shipping Program. Here's how they told me it works. You are supposed to pay the amount listed on your invoice which you received from eBay. The amount should include shipping. I do not know what this shipping amount is. eBay determines it as eBay partners with countries and determines a rate of shipping. eBay Support said that this most always makes shipping cheaper for you. After eBay receives payment from you, I am notified and then given the address to ship the item to the eBay Shipping Center somewhere in Kentucky. From this Shipping Center in Kentucky, global packages get delivered on flights. Since they coordinate it - rather than directly through a carrier like USPS or UPS, it becomes cheaper.They said that I am responsible for paying for the shipping from my home (Minnesota) to the Shipping Center (Kentucky). They said you are responsible for paying for the shipping from Kentucky to your home.I said I was worried that this might be more expensive than the quote of $31 dollars. They said this is highly unlikely as this shipping program is supposed to make things cheaper. By chance, how much did your invoice ask you to pay? Again, I guess I don't have control over this price. Also, I didn't realize that I need to pay to send it to the Shipping Center in the U.S.
If your wondering, Global Shipping wanted me to pay $75USD for posting the 3 items.
In the end the seller had to cancel the 3 auctions and relist all three items as one auction for me to go and buy again just so they could set the right postage!
My mind is made up - if the postage listed on the auction involves Global I'm just not going to bid - it's too hard for the seller to give you reasonable postage.