Seller Is Out of Luck when eBay Packages Get Stuck

by: FeelingFroggy

Nothing new about that. Its been happening for years. Best question is if you spending all that time on the phones each day is it really worth it. WE don't waste out time calling ebay for a stuck package as you will always get the same answer. We have just stopped selling outside of the US. And now might have a problem with one stuck package out of a 1000 mailed.

by: COVID-19

I don't sell no more!  Too many buyers have been spoiled by Amazon and feel entitled to hyper-speed delivery.  It's bad enough before the corona problem and now it's worse!  

by: 1st Armored Division 1971-1973

I am only experience delivery problems when I use services such as USPS Letter Rate and then only to countries such as France and Netherlands. When I use First Class Package or Ebay International Delivery I do not have a problem, YET...

by: mjr55

Just a quick note on Australia.......you are putting the CPF code on the address as required now, correct? This basically is for customs processing.....

Here is why.....I notice that if you ship your orders based off Ebay order details, it has this code. However, if you ship Ebay orders based off Paypal notification emails....it NEVER has the code (but the same address). This is definitely a loophole and of course Ebay and PP blame each other here.

by: toolguy

No Frustration Here

We stopped shipping International in 2002

The problems were just too many for the little profit they generated,

by: ORDDFW

mjr55, I'm not the OP but have had the same issue to Australia, and to answer your question, yes.

by: I Must be Crazy

I stopped selling international about 4 years ago. Seemed ALL of my "Item not Received" cases were international shipments. My single Negative feedback was to a buyer in Sweden. His item arrived broken....allegedly.

That was the end for me. Domestic only, no problems.

I do sell some products through Global Shipping. Any problems are eBay's problem. I send it to the facility in Kentucky and wash my hands of it. I have been pleased with that program overall.

by: val2525

I dropped international shipping from all my listings. I'll add it back when the other countries postal services get back to normal.  UPS, USPS and FedEx are having enough issues with my domestic shipments as it is. I don't need the aggravation of dealing with international too.

by: Geetar

I stopped shipping intl. about 4 years ago. I estimate that I made little more past breaking even. I recently had a buyer overseas beg me to sell to him, so I did. He had to pay the import fee's before the items arrived, never did, then they sent the package back to me. Do I really need this?

Buyers can be unreal. I have recently had a lot of problems here in NYC with packages getting stuck in the local sorting facility. I ended up suspending my listings for a while. I had 1 customer complain that he didnt get his delivery like guaranteed delivery said. He said he needed it on that day. The case said he wanted a refund. I contacted him and said I can have the package redirected back to me, and then I can give him a refund. He replied no, ...I will wait for it.

B.S. artist. Thought you would get a refund and the product? Not if I can help it.  

by: pace306

Fixed for you

Sellers (are) Out of Luck when eBay (gets involved) with shipping Packages

by: Marie

I don't know what anyone expects Ebay to do about a stuck package in the first place.  They can't do anymore than you or I can contacting the carrier or whatever.  I think the anger about this is a bit misplaced.

Many of us have had lots of significantly slowed packages in the US too.  I've certainly battled my share.  And I've refunded quite a few that haven't moved in a couple weeks.  Some of those packages got delivered a couple weeks later and some buyers are honest and pay up or ship it back.  

It's a battle to be sure.  Not specific to Ebay by any stretch of the imagination.  Shipping right now has all kinds of challenges.

by: DevilishlySarky

The problem is - ebay are allowing these buyers to lodge complaints before their last delivery estimate has passed - it doesnt matter that they have extended delivery estimates , as they are basing their estimates on what ???
On normal global pandemics ? Like theres an algorithm for that ?
My INR rate has probably doubled - and I guess thats conservatively ,because not everyone opens a case, some just enquire as to the progress of the delivery .
Tracking isnt always the answer either ,it doesnt say "stuck in customs " or ,"on the way to Timbucktoo" , it just says " in transit"
However , generally the postal services run the same way , and if your item is deemed late already , they make no special arrangements to hurry it up and try to still deliver in a timely manner - so if your package is a week late, chances are its going to be three to four weeks late by the time they get round to actually delivering  it , tracking or not .
Ebay have usually stepped in by then , and refunded the buyer ,

by: Chicago48

If it happens 2-3-4 times, then stop shipping overseas.  Or ship to countries that aren't effected by the virus.  We all should have the list from the USPS/Fedex which countries are greatly impacted and delivery is delayed.

by: Tiffee Jasso

No problem for me. I have pulled all International sales as there is no air flights for some countries, let alone a working Customs site for sorting mail.  

by: Chicago48

@ Geetar -- contacted him and said I can have the package redirected back to me,
^^
How do you have the package redirected back to you?

by: pace306

"I think the anger about this is a bit misplaced."

Well....

Like in Southparks Underpants Gnomes Episode

1) create stupid unrealistic shipping metrics and punishments
2) ?
3) profit

If you ship using eBays overpriced service - once it clears KY - then sellers should be not only %100 "golden", but should auto get 5 stars, positive feedback and no longer be invovled

As well once it leaves the US - what should a seller do any way? what can they do?

by: wrslss1222

My listings are available for sale both to United States and International buyers.  The question is, was the package shipped to eBay's hub for them to forward to the buyer?  I tried this method once and since eBay lost the package I will only ship directly through the Post Office.  The savings is not worth the aggravation dealing with eBay.  Next, if the package was shipped directly to the buyer through the Post Office, go to the USPS website and create an account.  Then you can go to the International part of this website and file a search for the package.  eBay does say that due to Covid-19 some International countries are not receiving packages but it would be a lot better if eBay would block those countries from buying or selling on eBay.

by: Chicago48

I don't trust nothing going international unless it's Canada.  That's as far as I'll go.  Scammers; people not paying the customs fees because it's too high; lost packages....it's too much.
NOW, if you have insurance on the package that's different, but how many people get insurance?

by: toyman

My problem is with the lack of understanding by eBay and PayPal over the fact that there is a pandemic (which they are, apparently, unaware of...) going on.

I have recently had two International shipments get held up long enough by the current mailing system, that the recipients filed an INR complaint with PayPal. I messaged back and forth with PayPal about the fact that there has been tremendous delays due, solely, to the pandemic backup and that they should wait before refunding the buyer's payment.

That, of course, made too much sense to follow and the refunds were made.
Also, of course, the packages DID, indeed arrive (in about 6 weeks in both cases) and of course, neither buyer decided that it would be "right" to go ahead and actually pay, again, for their item.

I also go no "oops, we're sorry" from PayPal for not being able to keep up with current events.

by: LasVagueness

After two hours of transfer tag on eBay, I learned there is a website (Postal Ninja) that can do a deeper dive into parcel status than what USPS can show. This tool can be useful in figuring out exactly where your parcel is 'stuck.' I had a situation with eBay's Standard International Delivery (I do not recommend this service!) not tracking at all. Postal Ninja located the package and provide an estimated delivery date. At least you can show your customer that the package really is en route.

Another site similar to Postal Ninja is 'Track My Shipment' per the very helpful eBay shipping employee I spoke with (although it took two hours to find an employee with the expertise to offer a solution). I hope some of you bookmark Postal Ninja.