Question Re: Misleading Sellers in Packaging & Shipping

Misleading Sellers

ann2010oz — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 23:08:00 GMT

My issue is about sellers who offer free postage on items, usually with a weight over 2-3 kg. They mark the item as shipped not long after payment is made and then a few days later message to inform me that their carrier lost the parcel or that it cannot be delivered due to a being in a rural area (which is only 2 hours from Sydney). This has happened countless times now and is very frustrating because I get deliveries with no problem from eBay all the time. I feel this is a deceptive practice and is employed because they realise the postage fees are slightly more than metro areas. I'd rather them be upfront and I'm happy to pay for postage. Please don't offer free postage anywhere in Australia and then play games when you see it's in a rural area. Mention that in your description for eg "We don't post to rural areas or can't give free postage to rural areas" but don't mark items as posted and then pretend it got lost or carrier can't deliver.

Re: Misleading Sellers

sandypebbles — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 23:22:09 GMT

eBay 'mark as shipped' the moment a seller generates a postage label

Members here are not playing games, so please don't blame us for what the sellers you choose to buy from do

If it has happened 'countless' times, it says something about the sellers you choose to buy from (not fellow members here)

Are you checking feedback before you buy?

Are these sellers registered overseas?

Are they registered here but their feedback indicates they are dropshipping from elsewhere?

Not sure how 'rural' 2 hours from Sydney can be, just because it is not Sydney Metro does not make it 'rural'

Re: Misleading Sellers

ann2010oz — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 00:46:00 GMT

I in no way mean to imply all eBay sellers at all, the majority are excellent. Just had some negative experiences with a few doing this practice. Region is between Lithgow and Bathurst

Re: Misleading Sellers

ann2010oz — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 00:54:52 GMT

To provide further context here is an excerpt from a seller (I have not identified the seller) from whom I encountered this issue, other sellers where the same issue have occurred have said similar. "Hi Dear Valued Customer, I hope you're doing well. I’m really sorry about the issue with your order. I recently received an update from my team that There’s been a technical glitch that stopped it from being delivered your order to the address you provided as it is a rural area. I completely understand how frustrating this must be and am working to fix it as quickly as possible. To help me better assist you, could you kindly provide me with your exact Alternative Address "

Re: Misleading Sellers

*casey* — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 01:00:40 GMT

"few days later message to inform me that their carrier lost the parcel or that it cannot be delivered due to a being in a rural area"

This is an excuse many shonky sellers use when they're out of stock.

You'll often see "courier won't deliver to my address" or similar, in their feedback. It's all lies.

The sellers use different IDs , sell the same products and when a higher feedback ID gets too many negs, they start a new one.

Re: Misleading Sellers

*casey* — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 01:02:06 GMT

That excuse is all lies from a shonky seller who is out of stock.

Re: Misleading Sellers

sandypebbles — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 01:08:14 GMT

Exactly why I asked if the OP checks feedback. The 'dear valued customer' certainly is a copy and paste of China registered sellers

Re: Misleading Sellers

lezned-toycollector — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 01:43:35 GMT

Just thought I'd share.... if you drive west from Sydney for 2 hours, you will find yourself in Blackheath (traffic permitting).... and the area between Lithgow and Bathurst is most definitely not "rural" 😂