I've recently purchased some kit from ebay a US seller. Awesome seller, but... shipped via the new Global Shipping Program (GSP) which offers:

 

• Cheap local freight price to sellers.
• Pre-clearance with Customs etc.
• Provide a nicely integrated tracking display of your parcel's status within ebay.

But...

The GPI (Pitney Bowes International):

 

• Repackage many items (badly).
• Route the goods poorly (too many stops, too much handling = damage & delay).
• Can't be contacted in NZ if there is a problem.

and...

ebay makes any damage/problem/loss a problem between the buyer and seller.

More info here:

 

• http://youtu.be/qZwZgcoc_zw (my experience aligns with this).
• http://support.pb.com/ekip/index?id=FR194&page=freeform#parcelopened  

I won't be buying anything that has PBI delivery again...