WARNING to all AUSSIE Buyers

[barneywomble]

I would like to take this opportunity to warn all Australian eBay buyers about a serious problem that exist when purchasing items from eBay USA and paying for "Priority" International Postage through the Global Shipping Program.

I recently made 2 purchases from eBay USA from 2 different sellers. On both the listings it clearly stated the postage method was "Priority" International Postage. When I clicked on the "see details" link underneath the postage section on the listing it confirmed the service I was paying for was indeed "Priority" International Postage. (I have screen shots of both the listing and the Postage details to verify this). So I went ahead and paid for the items and the "Priority" International Postage via PAYPAL. ONce this was completed I clicked on the "view order details" link for each of the 2 purchases and it also confirmed the postage as being "Priority" International Postage. I was given a number of tracking numbers and eventually the items were dispatched from the USA via FEDEX where another tracking number was provided for the international leg of the postage from the USA to Australia. Now to my horror on checking those FEDEX tracking numbers they provide detailed information including the method of delivery which in both cases showed "ECONOMY" International Postage. (I have screen shots verifying this) I contatced FEDEX directly regarding this and they responed via email stating the eBay shipments via the Global Shipping Program are dispatched via "ECONOMY" International Shipping (I have screen shots of this email).

I contatced eBay regarding this matter and then began an amazing "run a round" of companies and responabilities and confusing wording all leading to the point that if an Australian buyer purchases an item from eBay in the USA and pays for "Priority" International Postage through the Global Shipping Program then the items are shipped "ECONOMY" irrispective of the payment made for postage. Apart from the fact that it appears to be completely unfair to clearly advertise a service, pay for that service and not get that service it appears to raise a number of serious legal issues within eBay and its partners.

When I paid for my items from the USA the "shipping or postage" portion, the amount I paid for the "Priority" International Postage was sent to PItney Bowes as they are the legal entity responsible for the Global Shipping Program and a simple check of my PAYPAL account verified a portion of my payment indeed did go to Pitney Bowes. I contatcted them directly and asked them why when I paid for "Priority" International Postage did they not arrange for the items to be shipped that way and I was immediately met with a wall of silence and was told to contact eBay. Pitney Bowes and the Global Shipping Program stand to make millionsof dollars of the backs of hard working Australians if they are charging us for a "Priority" International Postage service but using an "ECONOMY" postage service which is of course CONSIDERABLY CHEAPER and SLOWER. I had posted these concerns along with the screen shots on eBay.com facebook page and they were immediately removed and I guess because I was correct and the less people who know about it the better.

If you are an Australian eBayer and have purchased an item from eBay USA and you paid for "Priority" International Postage through the Global Shipping Program please CHECK with the actual carrier (it will probably be FEDEX and see how your items were shipped. If they were not shipped using a "Priority" International Postage Service you are by law entitled to be reimbursed for the difference between the "Priority" International Postage you paid for and the "ECONOMY" service actually used. I will of course be contacting the revelent a number of media outlets both here in Australia and in the USA and I will also get a facebook campaign up and running to promote awareness for this disgusting business practice.

[laceyribbons6329]

Hi, thank you for your eye opening document regarding the postage issue.  I will now investigate my latest purchases.  But, I do note that the last two arrived much later then suggested, so those will be in that catogerory.  Where can we go for a postivive outcome?

[lyndal1838]

What dispute are you planning to open?

What sort of outcome do you expect if you received your packages?

[katistrophik]

Please do not punish seller for late delivery, check the date they marked sent and uploaded tracking.

Once the item is in the hands of the carrier you can't hold the seller responsible for late delivery, especially at this point in time where Christmas / COVID19 has affected delivery times.

As lyndal said, you have your items, what are you wanting to resolve?

Reply to lacyribbon

[javard]

I have ordered two items from the USA to Australia. Normally takes about 2 to 3 weeks max. Total change since the end of the 'global shipping program'. First parcel took over 2 months! I could see it sitting at the same place for weeks! Finally I could see it in Brisbane but it took a day of threats to a Manila based call centre to actually get them to deliver it to my house. The tracking said DHL which is normally excellent but when I called them they told me it was contracted out to another company. Second parcel: sent from Florida in November 2024. Not here yet. Same problem: sitting at Ilinois packing centre for weeks, no movement. Suddendly see it has cleared customs in Brisbane, where I am. Next day it turns up in Victoria 1300km away! So its arrived and they have sent it to their hub in a different city even though it was already here. It now says out for delivery. Who knows? It seems that eBay have farmed out their expensive, but reliable Global Shipping to cowboys and clowns who really have little connection with the eBay customer and are using the cheapest, most unreliable methods to get parcels to buyers. A disgrace! Watch out!

[javard]

Read my points above. After years of buying hundreds of items from the USA with no problems, I have waited over two months for two different parcels. Something major has changed and the service is now terrible.

[javard]

I am experiencing up to 2 months for simple small ebay packages to reach me in Brisbane Australia from the USA after being with eBay for many years.

[sandypebbles]

The person you are replying to passed away a few years ago

Rather than drag up a thread from 2018 to spam, start your own regarding the issues in 2025

[kh-jean]

Hi everyone,



Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.



Thank you for understanding.