Seller has changed item location and shipping details!

[macsnaps]

I purchased some video lights last night from a listing that stated the item was in Sydney, Australia. And that it would arrive on or before Friday 22nd of August (this friday). And since logging back in this morning, the seller has changed the listing location to Shanghai, China, and that the estimated delivery date has been changed to the 18th of September! 

I've had a breif skim through the 1000+ "Video Lighting Kit" search results and they all come back with similar looking dodgy sales pages. How can ebay have this many fradgulent sellers? 

This is the email i received. Clearly not from someone in Sydney Australia. 

"Thanks for your purchased in our store's product and welcome your order,
We are happy to inform u that this product is in the customs clearance now, so would u mind to wait a few days later, and we will arrange to shipping it for u asap. once it have been restored in our store's...
Best regards,
Karen"

WHAT THE HELL!?

[phorum_junkie*]

Chances are you will still get your item and it could possibly not take much longer than a domestically posted item. The delivery dates gven by ebay are a fiction and nobody but AP believes in them and sellers have no control over anything but the number of handling days they state.

I would imagine the seller has received some bad feedback or has had defects regorded so has decided to fess up and put the correct item location. Did you look at the seller's feedback before buying? Usually there is a pretty good indication that items are coming from China or HK.

If your goods haven't arrived after 10 working days (what most allow for domestic delivery) you can open an item not received dispute and escalate it a few days later if nthing has arrived.

[bojags]

Strange you should mention this. I am having a similar issue and my question was replied to by Karen - same seller?

It is my second attempt to buy the item - first seller (from China) did not ship, and when I questioned it, they claimed "out of stock". I did receive a refund though.

Decided that I'd buy from Australia, in order to get the item in a reasonable time (delivery by this Friday). Hadn't shipped, so I asked if delivery was on track - reply from Karem, yep it is in China and it won't be here by the stated date. 

Will attempt to confirm Seller location in future, when I think I'm buying from a local supplier.

Normally happy to buy from overseas when the Seller is honest enough to state the real origin of the product.

Wonder why ebay doesn't police its policies.