Ebay problem..I need you guys advice

Ren the devils trailboss

Ren the devils trailboss

Feedback: +58 / =0 / -0
Joined
Feb 27, 2001
Messages
12,169
I bought a item on ebay on 10/11. Non knife related..anyway I still have not received the item. I paid $230 via paypal for this item including shipping and insurance. Last week I emailed the guy I bought the item from asking if the item had been shipped. Three days later I recieve a four word email "its on its way" Two days after his email I re emailed him and asked for more information on this item such as tracking number etc. I just received another email saying that it is on its way but USPS does not provide tracking numbers. I sent him money for insurance for this package which means that he should have a tracking number correct. Anyway Im wondering if I got screwed? any advice...it has been now two full weeks since I paid for the item...
 
What is this individual's feedback rating? If it is high with no negatives I would not worry, but if it is low or has some negs, then you might want to visit ebays Safe harbor.
If you would like to email me this persons ebay ID I will try and help.
 
Relax. Two weeks is not unusual or unreasonable. No everyone can get to the post office every day. And the USPS sometimes takes a few days longer than normal due to unusual loads or equipment problems.

As Mr. im2smrt4u so smrtly noted, USPS insurance does not provide a tracking number. You get a receipt with a number on it, but that number can't be used to track the package the way a Fex Ex number can.

I tell you what, in this it-absolutely-positively-has-to-be-there-overnight, Fax-it-to-me, e-mail, www, .com, sat phone, cellular-enabled world we live in, people have gotten a bit impatient.
 
Ebay is really good about taking care of payment/shipping/fraud problems, etc...but you have to jump through the proper hoops. What is his ID? What's his feedback rating?

and yes, you have to *request* delivery confirmation (enables you to track) to be added to ebay purchases. But it's only 45-55 cents...totally worth it.
 
Hmmm every time I've ever shipped with UPS they've provided a tracking number. If your seller has shipped he should be able to provide one too. My rule of thumb with ebay is to never send money I can't afford to lose.
 
I believe that you only get a tracking number from USPS if you use Delivery Confirmation or Signature Confirmation.
 
I wouldn't worry too much, yet(unless it's bene more than 8 days- sa you will see below). As a couple of other people mentioned shipping times can vary. Here's a breakdown of shipping and insurance/tracking info.

You've got parcel post (first class mail) which many sellers use to avoid paying the higher price of Priority. You should have it in 3-5 days from the time of shipping (assuming you don't live in Hawaii or Alaska). I've had it take as long as 8 before. <br>
You've got priority which is 2-3 days. I've had priority packages take up to 6 days from the time of shipping, however. <br>
Let's also be careful with "UPS" and "USPS." These are easy terms to mix up. <br>
The first is "United Parcel Service." If you ship something with them you can track the package from it origin point, you can see its progress, and you can see when it is delivered. Ground shipping is 5-8 days. <br>
The second is "United Sates Postal Service." Insurance does not provide a way to track you package. It only protects you in the event that your package is damaged or does not arrive (assuming it was actually mailed and insured). "Deliver Confirmation" will tell you what day the item was mailed, and when it was delivered. There is no "in transit" tracking. <br>
In short- if it's been more than 8 days since your seller mailed the item I would be a little worried. If it hasn't give him some time. And like a few others mentioned eBay is good about helping people who have been the victims of fraud. They will cover loss up to $200 in most cases. <br>
Best of luck! -Cam<br>

PS- since we don't know what you bought there is also the chance your item was mailed media mail (used for CDs, Books, Movies), in which case it could take up to two weeks.
 
I wouldn't worry just yet. I have waited for weeks before with no email from the seller. If he's a high volume seller then he has hundreds of emails to deal with and they usually get short with people. It's hard not to worry, but it's a great feeling when it finally arrives. Check his feedback and take the time to search his negatives (if any) and read them. 2 weeks is not too long to wait as of yet.

Good Luck
Hal
 
You might want to check with the postal service on your end to see if there is a package waiting for you on your end. It is unlikely, but perhaps, you missed them and didn't notice their notification card.

Two weeks is not that unusual.

n2s
 
As per previous comments...not time to sweat, yet...

E-Bay provides 'Fraud Protection'insurance(actually underwritten by Lloyds of London, last I knew),with reimbursement up to $175.00($200.- $25. "processing costs") You must have contacted your credit card company, if applicable, prior to contacting E-Bay with your complaint. Also, the complaint/claim MUST be made within 90 days of the close of the auction.

Hopefully, your item will be along soon... If not, here is a link to E-Bay's Fraud Protection page:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/fpp.html
 
You can definitely track a package using the USPS Insurance number. It takes weeks and you have to pay for it, but YES you can track a package using the number on the insurance form. The question is whether you can insure a standard USPS package. I don't think so. They seller likely pocketed your added insurance payment. I've had several e-bay sellers pocket my insurance payment as well.

Ultimately, you will be able to get $175 back ($200 e-bay insurance minus $25 deductible) if your seller pockets your $$. Be sure to formally start the e-bay insurance process exactly 30 days after your auction ended.
 
Still have not received the package yet..but based on you guys advice I will not sweat it for now...However if by this weekend I have not received it I will again contact the seller. It was shipped USPS. Stay TUNED>>>>
 
I have been through the insurance tracking process. It is very difficult and only highlights the reasons why delivery confirmation is a good choice. I think you've got time on your side right now.
 
Ren, if it is not resolved, LMK. I have (unfortunately) been through the process with ebay before. It definitely is not quick and in the end you may still wind up losing $ in the process. I can not wait for ebay's little pointy headed minions to e-mail me a follow up survey for the last time I had to get them to intercede. They will not like the answers I give them. PS, hope it is not a power seller you are involved with, they typically will not do anything to interrupt their (and ebay's) flow of money if they can possibly help it.
 
I have had problems with Sellers on Ebay before but since I used Paypal I was able to get my money back. Paypal has a policy whereby you can file a claim. They will look into it and if it's not resolved they will transfer your money back. Let me clarify that statement as I just had a thought. In both cases the seller refunded my money and not Paypal (though it was through Paypal) but that makes me think that Paypal put pressure on them to do it. I seem to recall that Paypal will charge an extra $10 to the seller if they are found to be at fault (and do not own up to it).

Currently, I won a knife on ebay. Foolishly, I did not read the fine print and only after it was pointed out to me did I read that the seller will take up to thirty days to ship. Well, that also happens to be the time limit that Paypal will allow a complaint. Last nite was the 29th day and I had not heard from the seller so I filed a complaint with Paypal.

So, my recomendation is to sweat it out for a while longer and if you do not get anything by the 29th day (of your payment) I would file a complaint wiht Paypal (as opposed to Ebay). It's worked for me so far.

As far as tracking with USPS, it costs roughly 50 cents to add delivery confirmation. A price well worth the money to me.

Good luck....JC III
 
Ren, good luck with your package. Contact me if you need assistance getting a refund from e-bay. You have to start the fraud/insurance claim between 30 and 60 days after the auction ends. I'd highly recommend starting as early as you can.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top