Aus Post parcel says "delivered" but I received nothing, not even a note

[coleworld2212]

I'm sure you've heard this issue before, but it's the first time I've encountered it.

Going to use XXX to keep specific places hidden.

Using the Aus Post tracking number, standard delivery:

- 1/8: Received By Australia Post - XXX VIC

- 2/8: With Australia Post for delivery today - MITCHELL ACT, 7:25am

- 2/8:  Delivered - MITCHELL ACT, 2:16pm

I am from ACT but not MITCHELL, I'm from another suburb. No where on here is my suburb shown. It just has MITCHELL ACT twice. It says that it is complete/delivered, but I didn't receive anything at home, not even the note to collect it from the post office. 

I called Australia Post and gave them all the details and lodged a "dispute case" or "missing case" or whatever it is.

What happens from here? What could've possibly happened?

If things go extra sour and it is not located, what do I do about getting my money back? I bought it using PayPal. But if the seller did send it to the correct address then this is on Australia Post. 

The thing that I bought is worth ~ $750. Will Aus Post cover? eBay seller? I'm so lost. Help.

[joztamps]

One would hope you're wrong, it opens up a whole new can of worms if scam sellers have somehow managed to rort the postal tracking system.

If they are scam sellers, of course, and if that's what they have done.

[coleworld2212]

I'm 95% sure it's a dodgy seller now. All I'm thinking is, what did they give me a tracking number for then? And why did that tracking number go to Mitchell ACT, somewhere close to me but not exactly to me...

Probably all part of their tactics. 

[davewil1964]

I'm not sure why AP are saying it would be difficult to track.

They have the tracking number, it's one of their own postage products.

I believe the GPS coordinates are recorded for every delivery the postie/courier makes (Lyndal would know), when they mark it off as delivered on their little machines. If AP can't track it, it's either not a valid tracking number (unlikely as there are tracking events) or somebody has been light fingered.

There are no residential addresses in Mitchell, so if it was delivered, it would have been to a business.

I would be asking AP a few more questions.

[go-tazz]

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@coleworld2212 wrote:

I'm 95% sure it's a dodgy seller now. All I'm thinking is, what did they give me a tracking number for then? And why did that tracking number go to Mitchell ACT, somewhere close to me but not exactly to me...

That's all it can sometimes take for eBay to believe that it has been delivered,(same as their feedback is to

give you confidence into believing that the are on the level)

Probably all part of their tactics. 

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They registered on the 19th of July and have a feedback score of one for a purchased item from a "small" item

seller and they sold their first high priced scam prone item on the 26th of july.

Their blurb says:

We sell a comprehensive range of photography & video equipment along with tablets & smartphones. We stand for quality products, competitive prices, expert advice & excellent service! We are a new store/seller, but can assure you a positive experience

Which is obviously a copied text from someone that actually has a store and their listings are too good for a

new seller.

I've reported their listings that are still live as a hijacked account but it's a weird one as the prices are similar

as for genuine items,(scammers will list at much lower prices for quick sales).

[coleworld2212]

I bought their Pixel 2 for $799, next day they upped it to $899

[digital*ghost]

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@go-tazz wrote:

I've reported their listings that are still live as a hijacked account but it's a weird one as the prices are similar

as for genuine items,(scammers will list at much lower prices for quick sales).

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That's what made me a little hesitant to outright suggest it might be a scam, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks there are a couple of red flags. All the sellers who have it at a similar price point have their item location as Hong Kong, while Aussie sellers seem to have it about $100-$200 more, so it's not a huge difference, but the other stuff didn't really allay the concern. 

On the up side, if it is a scam and the seller just used a pre-paid satchel, they've shot themselves in the foot by not using SOD on an item of that value. 

Perhaps if the seller is still being responsive, it might be worthwhile asking for a non-stock photo of the item, just to see how they respond to that, since they apparently still have some in stock (and google-image search anything they send through). 

[go-tazz]

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@coleworld2212 wrote:

I bought their Pixel 2 for $799, next day they upped it to $899

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A genuine seller wouldn't make that "mistake",(sounds more like a greedy scammer to me).

They are selling enough items at the higher prices for it to be an effective strategy.

They are only a new seller and only have a feedback score of one so money would be held back for 21

days,(unless they can prove delivery via tracking).

That's where the tracking comes in,(they need proof of delivery to get their money if paid by PP or CC).

[go-tazz]

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@digital*ghost wrote:

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@go-tazz

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That's what made me a little hesitant to outright suggest it might be a scam, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks there are a couple of red flags. All the sellers who have it at a similar price point have their item location as Hong Kong, while Aussie sellers seem to have it about $100-$200 more, so it's not a huge difference, but the other stuff didn't really allay the concern. 

Drop it just enough to make it a better option for Aussies is what they are probably going for and having the

warranty as a big incentive to seal the deal.

On the up side, if it is a scam and the seller just used a pre-paid satchel, they've shot themselves in the foot by not using SOD on an item of that value. 

There have been cases where as long as it was delivered to the suburb it was seen as been delivered,(so

if it is a scammer they may be trying to do something similar so that they get paid and maybe the buyer gets

paid via the money back guarantee).

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[coleworld2212]

Update:

They are saying that "the company has shipped the item with a hold on delivery as your PayPal payment has been held from us."

They then said that the item is still within the AU post system and has not been "delivered", it has been marked as "delivered" because it reached the final destination city/post office. Apparently, according to them, the post office will send out the item as soon as PayPal releases their funds, expected to happen within 2 business days.

They are asking me to take back my refund request as that would allow them to access the funds and send out the item for delivery quicker... They say that if I do that, then the they'll have the payment within 2 business days and I should receive it a day after.

Thoughts? 

[digital*ghost]

Both eBay and PayPal require signature on delivery for seller protection when the item value is $750 or more (including postage), so even the delivery status won't shouldn't help the seller this time. 

I'd probably still get manual verification of this from eBay, as they can be a mite unpredictable at times and I know high value cases are treated a bit differently (i.e. I'd be looking to avoid all the frustration and stress of an incorrect decision when that much money is involved).