Bought an item, seller NEVER sent it, and he has a way AROUND paypal claim

[123online4me]

Make sure you READ THIS- there is a loop hole with Aust Post tracking that allows sellers to SCAM buyers and paypal.

So,

bought and paid for item 1st August (Thurs). Listing claims Express Post, and posted within 2 business days. %th Aug (Mon), seller uploads an eparcel tracking number to ebay; check number on Aust Post website: "no events found" (or similar). 

Contacted seller regarding the seemingly "bogus" number, he claims Aust Post have lost the item, and he is not responsible. On the 8th (1 WEEK after paid), seller uploads details to eparcel (our address, his address, etc). On the 12th, Aust Post details change to "lodged". Item coming local, still not arrived today, 20th.

What made me wary was the buyer claiming straight away that Aust Post had lost it, BEFORE he uploaded details... Anyway, rang Aust Post yesterday to find out what could be happeneing. Was told that Aust Post have just figured out (in the past week) a postage scam that some people are using. I rang paypal, and was told they have not heard of it- but, what good is a scam if everyone knows about it?

OK- here's how it works: buyer uploads all details to eparcel system, but marks item as "drop-off", in other words, seller will drop it at the Aut Post delivery centre, instead of AP picking it up. Seller then goes to AP delivery centre, and can lodge the PAPERWORK, or EPARCEL STICKER for the item, with the intent of bringing the item back later. AP scan the papwerwork, and put it to one side, so that when the item is brought in, they can be put together and sent on their way. The scanned "paprwork" shows up as "lodged", and the seller never brings the item in.

Here's the kicker: as the buyer, or "recipient" of the item, I cannot request AP to investigate the "missing" item, which, according to the AP tracking system has been sitting at the deliver centre for over a week. So, as I cannot request an investigation, AP cannot look into the matter- I am told if they did, they would probably find unattached paperwork sitting "to the side" at the delivery centre. But, I cannot request it, so they will not do it, and the seller gets away with it. The best part: the SELLER (or "sender") CAN request an investigation by AP. But, he will not do anything, amazingly enough...

Paypal have a tracking number, which has our address details on it according to the eparcel system. They have a "lodgement" date according to AP (even though it is most likely just an eparcel sticker), so, the seller has fulfilled all of his obligations. It is the perfect scam: there is no way to track it back to the seller unless he requests an investigation by AP.

Yes, I know, by writing this, I am telling the "bad people" how to rip of buyers. They already know: it is ebay, paypal and the buyers that need to be aware.

[*crikey*mate*]

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@123online4me wrote:
Really? I forget to mention that I have actually rang Aust Post three times about this over past weeks: each person has told me the recipient cannot request an investigation. So, all three were wrong then...?
It was the last one that told me there is a newly recognised issue with eparcel. All she knew was that is has to do with electronic upload vs physical drop-off.

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online, I recently had a parcel go missing. (a month ago maybe?) I was the seller. It was I that had to chase up Aust Post. I gave all of the details to my Buyer (just in case they didn't believe me) - the Click and Send Tracking number, the Aus Post claim number etc, the name of the person whom I spoke to, and when they rang aust post, they too were told that they could not make enquiries, that only I, the seller could.

[digital*ghost]

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@123online4me wrote:

OK- here's how it works: buyer uploads all details to eparcel system, but marks item as "drop-off", in other words, seller will drop it at the Aut Post delivery centre, instead of AP picking it up. Seller then goes to AP delivery centre, and can lodge the PAPERWORK, or EPARCEL STICKER for the item, with the intent of bringing the item back later. AP scan the papwerwork, and put it to one side, so that when the item is brought in, they can be put together and sent on their way. The scanned "paprwork" shows up as "lodged", and the seller never brings the item in.

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It's clear I've never used the eParcel system as a seller, but this doesn't sound like an uploading / timing issue. The suggestion here is that AP have accepted lodgement of paperwork for a parcel without accepting the accompanying parcel, and as the paperwork is deemed lodged and the status reflects that, it seems the parcel is accepted as lodged by PayPal, whether it has been or not. 

Can it be categorically confirmed that this scenrio can not happen - ever? 

[thecatspjs]

There are a number of different ways E-parcel can be processed by the seller, depending on size of outfit or existing inventory and freight management systems - but basically once seller (or warehouse in many cases) prepares barcoded printed labels - an electronic manifest data-file is produced that is then uploaded to Australia Post.

Parcels are then dropped of at a designated business centre or designated Post Office or picked up by Australia Post.  Parcels are then sent to delivery centre.  Parcels are also checked (weight / cubed etc etc) and costs charged to sellers AP account. 

You just can't rock up anywhere to send or rock up to a post office with a hard copy manifest and no parcels - that is what the OP is accusing this seller AND AP of.   It is a very serious allegation they are making.

The process will always mean there is a level of delay between manifest being received and parcels being received.   Such as a manifest being electronically sent with no parcels dropped off  or parcels dropped off with printed manifest, but the seller has not yet uploaded the manifest data file.

E-parcel also has its own separate tracking system that sellers can log into - not the general public.  Not sure how the integration works between general public AP tracking service and the e-parcel system works, but there must be a point in time that info is exchanged between the two. 

[digital*ghost]

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@thecatspjs wrote:

There are a number of different ways E-parcel can be processed by the seller, depending on size of outfit or existing inventory and freight management systems - but basically once seller (or warehouse in many cases) prepares barcoded printed labels - an electronic manifest data-file is produced that is then uploaded to Australia Post.

Parcels are then dropped of at a designated business centre or designated Post Office or picked up by Australia Post.  Parcels are then sent to delivery centre.  Parcels are also checked (weight / cubed etc etc) and costs charged to sellers AP account. 

You just can't rock up anywhere to send or rock up to a post office with a hard copy manifest and no parcels - that is what the OP is accusing this seller AND AP of.   It is a very serious allegation they are making.

The process will always mean there is a level of delay between manifest being received and parcels being received.   Such as a manifest being electronically sent with no parcels dropped off  or parcels dropped off with printed manifest, but the seller has not yet uploaded the manifest data file.

E-parcel also has its own separate tracking system that sellers can log into - not the general public.  Not sure how the integration works between general public AP tracking service and the e-parcel system works, but there must be a point in time that info is exchanged between the two. 

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Thanks for further clarifying the system and process. 🙂

[phorum_junkie*]

I haven't used eparcel but have looked into it and I believed that the tracking was enough for Paypal however if it shows as undelivered then the buyer should be able to dispute it if Paypal find against them and should of course get a refund, it is then up to the seller to argue with Paypal and AP who covers the loss.

[thecatspjs]

In the case of a missing parcel the seller can give their authorisation to AP for the receipient to make enquiries regarding an investigation.

[*crikey*mate*]

OK, but I did ask that, but wasn't allowed. Maybe I just got someone who didn't know.