A bit more info about Ebays "Global Shipping program"
I've heard of this before, but didn't really know what it was about, so did a little reading....
What happens: (this is from what I understand, this may not be 100% correct!)
-You buy an item from Ebay-US, pay by Paypal, item payment goes to seller, shipping payment goes to PBI (Pitney Bowes Inc)... (if it's going to a country with Custom charges the Customs fees go to PBI also)
(EDIT: seems they charge Customs fees for Aus also, when there shouldn't be any: /archive/2021849 )
_Seller ships the item to PBI in Kentucky-US, PBI open the package, lighten it by removing bubble wrap and the likes to make the international shipping cheaper, then send it international by FedEx with no insurance and a Customs value on it of $0/gift, so it seems they pocket the Customs fees they collect...
-if the item arrives damaged, as usual you need to lodge a Paypal dispute and ship the damaged item back to the seller with tracking at your expense, then Paypal issue a refund, but they only refund you the item cost, not the shipping fees that went to PBI...
-PBI and FedEx take no liability for damage, and do not refund shipping fees for damaged items...
It seems like a good idea in theory, but if your item is damaged you're going to end up out of pocket a fair bit... (shipping fees both ways and such)
I'm not sure I'd use it, I don't like the risks... I guess it would be ok for something that's unbreakable, clothing and the likes, but for anything breakable the risks are way too high..