Global Post

[Anna]

Does anyone know if it's possible to opt OUT of Global Post?  All of my international packages are currently being fed through a global post location in Carol Stream, IL and I've had a lot of packages that end up sitting there for a month, which is ridiculous.  I didn't even know I was using Global Post -- I assumed my USPS packages went through customs and then on to their destination country.  

In addition to shipping through Ship Station, I also do shipping through Etsy.  Etsy package labels print all the customs information and they just ship straight to the destination with no problems -- I've never had a complaint.  I've had three complaints from this global post link just in the last month and I've wasted a lot of time trying to get some answers.

Their service is awful and I want out!

[SuperMgr-Sarah]

Hi Anna, 

To use GlobalPost services, you have to select the GlobalPost service from the services drop-down:

If you are not choosing GlobalPost services but your international USPS shipments are going through a domestic sorting facility, it's likely they are using the Global Advantage Program (GAP) from Stamps.com, which does occur automatically when you choose international services using your Stamps account in ShipStation. I did some research and it looks like you can opt out of GAP if you contact Stamps support and request they disable the feature on your Stamps.com account. Here is the general Stamps support number: 1-855-860-7867

If you need your Stamps.com account username, in ShipStation go to Settings > Shipping > Carriers & Fulfillment, then click the settings icon next to your Stamps account. Your username should be the first item in the settings pop-up.

[info679]

Hi Sarah, (sorry if I duplicated this post) this is not directed towards Shipstation per se but you need to know Stamps did outright lie about this.  I received the email stating the implementation of GAP...I reviewed their FAQ, it states quite clearly that the service is automatic for new subscribers to Stamps.  I am not a new user and it states very clearly that I must Call to Opt In which I never did, they forced it without my approval.  I just tried to process an International order and when I printed the label it came out as a GlobalPost processing center. (nothing in the dropdown about this)  I called Stamps and the employee on the phone was very irked that I wanted to cancel and then told me it would be TWO Days for the change to take place.  This in my view appears to be more of a penalty for those that cancel.  Must suck working at Stamps if every change to a spreadsheet or notice takes two days to update.  I logged into my Stamps acct and there is nothing that indicates that this service which you pay for is active.  My acct simply states that I have a Stamps.com Pro Plan - Shipstation account and I can mail packages, letters domestically and internationally.   This is a very deceptive trade practice on Stamps part.

[SuperMgr-Sarah]

Thank you for posting about your experience. 

You are correct that accounts created before August 6, 2019 would need to opt-in to the Global Advantage Program (GAP). Given the interruptions to international shipping in recent months, including shipping suspensions to Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, etc., Stamps.com rolled out GAP for all accounts. This was done in partnership with GlobalPost, as their service to international destinations remained unaffected by USPS’s closures. The intention was to enable businesses to continue shipping to these locations without interruption. 

This was done with urgency to address these unprecedented shipping interruptions. We apologize for the lack of communication around the rollout. There are no additional subscription fees or charges to use the service, and we price protect rates by keeping shipping costs at current USPS rates or below. 

We have contacted our support team to share your feedback in regards to how this was handled. If they give us any further details that will be helpful to the ShipStation Community, we’ll be sure to share them here. 

[brandons]

I was also forced into this program and have talked to both shipstation and stamps.com and was told that I needed to contact Global post to have it removed.... 

The Stamps number in your first reply hangs up on you as soon as you call it. 

I've spent many hours trying to cancel something that I never signed up for and has caused many issues with delays in our shipping and lost packages. 

[VA]

This is awful customer experience. We never selected to be in Global Post and was always selecting USPS First Class Mail International to ship to our customers and this service automatically starts appearing on our labels. The parcels go to a NJ sort facility and the tracking status updates to "DELIVERED, Picked up by Individual" and no more movement after that. What are we supposed to tell the customer? Well, just wait and hope for the best? Weeks go by and I'm not even sure if they even make it to the customer. Sarah H, imagine you just spent $100 through my store for your kid's birthday gift only to have the tracking state Delivered and picked up by Individual and never making it in time to be delivered for your kid. Wouldn't you be angry and never shop through my store again? This whole involuntary charade is costing us BIG TIME. 

[Moderator-Davis]

Hey there @VA,

Thanks for joining us here in the community! I appreciate you providing us this perspective on your experience.

What you are describing sounds like the utilization of the Global Advantage Program or GAP. 

If you would like to reach out in regards to a specific shipment for any type of claim, please review this GAP Knowledge Base article that we have. The "Notes on GAP" section at the bottom of the page will provide you instructions on how to do so! 

While this service type does provide some excellent savings for our users, I totally understand if you do not wish to continue using GAP. In that same article linked above, you will see instructions to follow for your removal from GAP. 

I hope this helps! 🙂 

[fdroberts2]

Well I just ran into this myself as I am trying to ship an international package through ShipStation also using USPS which I have done 100's of times each year and now all of a sudden I see Global Post at the bottom of the label and was utterly confused and stumbled onto this Post.  This is totally BOGUS as I have ZERO interest in using Global Post which appears to be a stamps.com company just another means to try and privatize a service that is being provided by the government.  I really hope I don't have to spend multiple hours getting something disabled that I didn't sign up or agree to use...

If this ends up being a mess I might just consider dropping Stamps.com period...

Frank

[Moderator-Davis]

Howdy there @fdroberts2, 

Thanks for becoming a community member! We are so happy to have you here 🙂 

From what you've described, it sounds like the Global Advantage Program via Global Post. If you do not wish to participate in this program, you can absolutely request removal from it. 

To disable Global Advantage Program:

If you do not want to use the GAP program, you will need to reach out to ShipStation Customer Support with the following information:

-First and last name on the account

-First and last name of credit card holder

-Username

-Email address

-Billing address

I hope this helps get your account setup how you'd like it! 

[galaxylense]

Please ship station not automatic force me upgrade my account to this GAP terrible program. That is main reason we are using ship station. The GAP is slow and missing package only benefit for stamps .com trying to make more profit from us. It is not an fair practice program.

[bolidemodels]

The word "upgrade" does not apply here, as the word implies an improvement. The GAP program is awful, and you are correct that it's just a money grab by stamps.com.

[Moderator-Davis]

Hey there! 

Thank you for this feedback, we appreciate you sharing your perspective. 

If this program is not desirable, you can request removal from it. Reach out to our support team via email (support@shipstation.com) to make that request.