USPS/Ebay purchase troubles

[Chaos215bar2]

95% positive is actually rather bad. That means that there is a problem with 1 in 20 sales. (Can you even imagine any reputable retailer, e.g. Amazon, messing up 1 in 20 orders?) I consider 99% to be just about the minimum approval rating I will deal with, though I always look at what people are complaining about. I'm not going to give an occasional misunderstanding in the item description nearly as much weight as actual problems with shipping or receiving items.

[Inq]

Hi David,

I think they used a mailbox and the fact that the label has never been scanned means that the package never reached USPS.

This was my first thought and I offered the seller to back out and refund my money, as I would leave positive feedback. He refused and insisted that my package was sent and we should hope the package will arrive in time...

I have gotten tired of all this and will file a case with ebay/paypal... What does this procedure imply?

Cheers,
Catalin

Did he go to a counter, or just use a mailbox? It could be that USPS didn't scan the package into their system, or lost it before they did - IF it wasn't mailed at a post office counter. But I'd say it's much more likely the watch hasn't been shipped at all. (July 4 is a US holiday and post office counters are closed.)

eBay has rules about how long a seller has to ship something. I don't remember what they are, but I think technically he's not "late" yet. But since he said he shipped it, something's definitely very wrong, and the feedback means it's almost certainly the seller that's the problem.

Sorry.

[Dixan]

USPS works in conjunction with EMS world wide. Your package is only handled by USPS until it arrives in your country. Then your postal system's express division handles the rest. For international shipments, this method is far, far better than UPS. The seller did you an enormous favor. Also, since the Fourth of July is a large national holiday in the US, your package will be subjected to some delays/backlogging. I'm am sure your package is in transit. It might be more clear for you to track your package, using the same tracking info, on your country's postal service website. Good luck. Doesn't sound like a problem at all to me.

[Sean779]

USPS works in conjunction with EMS world wide. Your package is only handled by USPS until it arrives in your country. Then your postal system's express division handles the rest. For international shipments, this method is far, far better than UPS. The seller did you an enormous favor. Also, since the Fourth of July is a large national holiday in the US, your package will be subjected to some delays/backlogging. I'm am sure your package is in transit. It might be more clear for you to track your package, using the same tracking info, on your country's postal service website. Good luck. Doesn't sound like a problem at all to me.

I agree. Of course, keep in mind the timelines for filing a dispute.

It's very understandable why anyone would not believe the USPS tracking system could be such a sham. USPS by only pretending to have a tracking system in place where the lack of information becomes willy nilly the only information there is, causes more confusion and headache than if the USPS had just said instead: "we're U.S. government subsidized so we don't try too hard to be competitive with the private sector, i.e., FexEx, UPS." Really an embarrassment.

and I'm still working on how to get the USPS guy who roars from mailbox to mailbox in his USPS little truck to get his fat ass out of the driver's seat and actually knock on my front door with a package instead of summarily stuffing a pink slip into my mailbox and roaring off.

[Dixan]

I agree. Of course, keep in mind the timelines for filing a dispute.

It's very understandable why anyone would not believe the USPS tracking system could be such a sham. USPS by only pretending to have a tracking system in place where the lack of information becomes willy nilly the only information there is, causes more confusion and headache than if the USPS had just said instead: "we're U.S. government subsidized so we don't try too hard to be competitive with the private sector, i.e., FexEx, UPS." Really an embarrassment.

and I'm still working on how to get the USPS guy who roars from mailbox to mailbox in his USPS little truck to get his fat ass out of the driver's seat and actually knock on my front door with a package instead of summarily stuffing a pink slip into my mailbox and roaring off.

The standard USPS tracking might be less than stellar, but the EMS/Express Mail tracking is fine. I've never had a problem with it. It can be half a day slow, but usually it's okay. Not perfect, but pretty good. I'm waiting for my AT now, and it keeps me more or less up to date.

[Formerguide]

Slightly OT, but...

Regarding eBay rating percentages; 95% strikes me, if there are sufficient transactions for a true perspective, as being pretty decent. Imagine if the eBay rating system were applied to each and every transaction at all stores, brick and mortar, eBay and Internet alike. What do you imagine your FAD would rate? Just like on the forum, buy the seller.

Anyway, hope it turns out ok and that the watch finally arrives. The fact that the seller insists on waiting for feedback would indicate to meto remain hopeful. Good luck!

Dan

[Sabresoft]

Canada Post is the same with their tracking system. I have several items (I my possession) that their tracking system says are still in transit.

Then one time, just minutes after checking the tracking system and seeing an actual indication of movement the door bell rang and there it was. That was exactly once.

I have several items right now, one of which has been in the mail for over 3 weeks now. It didn't help that Canada Post went on strike (initially rotating strikes that caused minor disruptions in one or two cities each day, but then full lock-out that shut the whole system down) about a week after the package was mailed. The strike has been over for a couple of weeks now, and the item is still showing as being in customs.

I'm not worried though as I have never not received an item with mail delivery. UPS on the other hand has lost several items, and has nailed me with outrageous brokerage fees on several occasions (try an $80 brokerage fee on a $25 item!).

Mail can be slow, so I wouldn't panic just yet. As long as you paid with PayPal funded by a credit card, or directly with a credit card.

[hans caravan]

You'll find many other WUS members who'll agree with me. You've been very fortunate not to encounter an issue.

And there are plenty in my camp too. Have YOU actually had any troubles or just blowing hot air?

[drt]

Hi David,

I think they used a mailbox and the fact that the label has never been scanned means that the package never reached USPS.

This was my first thought and I offered the seller to back out and refund my money, as I would leave positive feedback. He refused and insisted that my package was sent and we should hope the package will arrive in time...

I have gotten tired of all this and will file a case with ebay/paypal... What does this procedure imply?

I'm happy to say I don't know, as I've never had a problem with an eBay seller, so someone else will need to jump in and help.

[Inq]

I can understand USPS being slow and all, but it's been almost a week and it seems that the package label has never been scanned by them...

I also checked the tracking number on my local post office tracking service and the number does not exist.

It just seems a little fishy...

Catalin