Return/Tracking issues
Summary: The discussion revolves around issues related to returning items and tracking the packages. luminaluxeandbeauty initiates the topic, and other participants like twyngwyn, gutterpunkz05, and *casey* contribute with their experiences and possible solutions. The conversation is lengthy and complex, indicating the problem is not easily resolved. Participants share insights and discuss various aspects of the return and tracking processes. Despite the numerous exchanges, it appears that no definitive solution is reached within this thread.
“I followed eBay return procedures, however the buyer-provided return tracking shows delivery to a different country than my registered seller address. I’m posting to highlight a potential loophole that may impact other sellers.”
I included the screenshot. Since I’m an Australian seller and the item was returned to the UK instead of being delivered to me in Australia, I lost 1.5K. I have canceled the international shipping option from my listing.
Sandy Brach not in Australia its scootland area.
Im trying to save other fellows .
Kind regards
*casey*
·7 months agoAs GP has pointed out twice, the tracking shows the service as International Tracking with destination country Australia.
It's not a fake tracking number.
Hopefully Royal Mail will be able to help you but if necessary, I also suggest that you contact Australia Post,
as the tracking number is shown on the Australia Post tracking page.
luminaluxeandbeauty
OP7 months agoDear all,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering support and assistance. Words cannot fully convey my appreciation.
I am scheduled for day surgery tomorrow and will be reaching out to the post office and Royal Mail (i was unable to do so online) to inquire about the whereabouts of the package. As per the eBay system, the package has been marked as delivered to my address.
As per the shop app tracking, the delivery was made on 24/12, resulting in the buyer received the full refund.
Once again, I am truly grateful for your support and kindness. Your generosity does not go unnoticed.
I will provide you all with an update by Tuesday 😊
*casey*
·7 months agoJust a few things to add, to cover all bases.
"The buyer then opened a second case claiming the item was “not as described The buyer informed me that they had already uploaded a return tracking number to eBay. A few days later, when I contacted the buyer to ask when I should expect the return, they stated that the item had been returned to their address without paying VAT and that they had subsequently received the item back"
At what stage did you give the buyer your address ?
Did the buyer upload the tracking number into that dispute and if yes, could you see by the tracking that it was returned to the buyer ?
"On 19/12/2025, the buyer advised via eBay messages that they would resend the item back to me and provide a new tracking number. I waited for this updated tracking, however I then received an automated email from eBay stating that the item had been delivered and that I was required to issue a refund. At that point, I had not received the item"
If the parcel hasn’t been delivered to a private address in the UK and is indeed on it’s way back to you via the tracking number on the Australia Post site, sadly, there’s no guarantee you’ll receive back the same item/s that you sent.
Now I’ve had a look at your items / sold items, I can see that some of them eg possibly some cosmetics and definitely the perfumes wouldn’t be able to be posted back to you without STRICT , SPECIALISED requirements as they’re restricted items , highly flammable, and classed as Dangerous goods.
Which product/s did the buyer actually buy ?
I wish you well for your surgery tomorrow .
And good luck when you contact Royal Mail and Australia Post..
twyngwyn
·7 months agoExactly what return procedures did you follow?
luminaluxeandbeauty
OP7 months agoI followed eBay’s standard return process.
The buyer opened a return request through eBay, and I accepted the return as required. The buyer then uploaded their own return tracking number.
That tracking shows the item marked as “delivered,” however the delivery location shown is in the UK (GB), not Australia where my registered seller return address is located.
I raised this with eBay during the appeal, as the tracking does not confirm delivery back to the seller’s country or address. I’m sharing this to highlight a potential return-tracking loophole for seller awareness.
twyngwyn
·7 months agoIs the buyer in the UK?
Has it gone to the hub?
luminaluxeandbeauty
OP7 months agoYes buyer from Uk
it was my 1st international shipping. No it wasn't through hub. I wasn't aware of HUB option.
luminaluxeandbeauty
OP7 months agoThis was my first international shipment and it was not sent through eBay’s Global Shipping Program, as I was not aware of that option at the time.
Prior to dispatch, I contacted the buyer to confirm they were aware of potential VAT and import charges. The buyer’s account had been created on the same day as the purchase, so I wanted to ensure there were no misunderstandings. The buyer confirmed via eBay messages that they understood and agreed to pay any applicable VAT charges.
After the item arrived in the UK, the buyer opened a case stating the item had not been received. As the item was sent using Australia Post via eBay and tracking confirmed delivery, eBay closed this case in my favour.
The buyer then opened a second case claiming the item was “not as described.” This was not accurate, as the issue related to unpaid VAT charges rather than the item itself.
I accepted the return in good faith. The buyer informed me that they had already uploaded a return tracking number to eBay. A few days later, when I contacted the buyer to ask when I should expect the return, they stated that the item had been returned to their address without paying VAT and that they had subsequently received the item back. Despite this, the buyer stated they no longer wished to keep the item.( once item arrives in UK they said they cant pay vat )
On 19/12/2025, the buyer advised via eBay messages that they would resend the item back to me and provide a new tracking number. I waited for this updated tracking, however I then received an automated email from eBay stating that the item had been delivered and that I was required to issue a refund. At that point, I had not received the item.
I informed eBay of the above communication, all of which is documented within eBay messages. However, the third tracking number provided by the buyer showed the item as “delivered,” despite the delivery location being outside Australia. As a result, the buyer received a full refund (24/12/25 )
I subsequently asked the buyer to open a missing item enquiry with Royal Mail, however I did not receive any further response from the buyer.
Above both screenshot for the 3rd tracking.
twyngwyn
·7 months agoWhat is the item number?
Who paid for the return postage?
It sounds like a scam!
luminaluxeandbeauty
OP7 months agoOn the first two occasions, I was provided with the same tracking number that I had previously sent to them, as they had failed to collect the package from the post office due to VAT charges. However, on the third and final attempt, they supplied a different tracking number to eBay. Within two days, the parcel was delivered to their country (UK) instead of Australia. Since they did not collect the parcel, I was unable to generate a label for it. Furthermore, without any communication, they utilized their own tracking number. As previously mentioned, I had reached out to them to inquire about the return of the parcel.Indeed, it was a classic scam. Therefore, I have decided to cease selling internationally. I had placed my trust in the system, believing that once I confirmed, eBay would release the payment since they could clearly see the postal address. I was unaware that most of the time it is an automated system (it was 1st international shipping )