Why does eBay Australia persist with shoddy Aramex Couriers?

[bgpzfm-au]

Unfortunately, eBay Australia appears to be increasingly using the absolute worst courier company on earth, ARAMEX Couriers, for the Australian leg of delivery for international purchases.

Why?

The track record of this mob of reckless, utterly unprofessional pretend postmen could not be worse, and with good reasons.

Their tracking system is so useless to be nonexistent - when a purchaser gets a DAI Post tracking number for the international leg, ARAMEX changes it to something else for the local leg delivery, and no tracking updates are given for days and weeks. If at all. 
Then, IF the Aramex clownshow actually decides they are going to try to deliver the package, more often than not they'll leave a "premises unattended" card in the letterbox when the premises IS attended and they're too lazy to do their job, or they'll just dump the parcel in an unsafe location and exposed to the weather.

The phone number for Aramex complaints doesn't answer; the voicemail won't allow people to leave messages; and they do not respond to complaints made via their website. 

Given eBay's very high postage and shipping charges, buyers have a right to expect a premium service when they're paying a premium price. I had very few, if any, problems with any eBay international delivery when Australia Post provided the domestic leg of the process, but I have had nothing but trouble with the Aramex clownshow. 
Can eBay Australia at least allow buyers the option to choose the local end delivery provider, if they insist on persisting with this shoddy Aramex operation? I would be happy to pay a little extra for reliable delivery via Australia Post than put up with Aramex's nonsense. 

[lezned-toycollector]

You ask what crazy allegations... allow me to elaborate.

Stating that eBay are using Aramex is an absolutely ludicrous allegation. It's common knowledge that they don't sell anything (and you have been told repeatedly), so they have no need to use any logistics company.

Given that eBay hasn't sold you anything, you are obviously trying to tell us that eBay paid Aramex to randomly deliver you an empty satchel - which in itself is outlandish.

[bgpzfm-au]

allow me to elaborate.

No. Done wasting time with you. 

[ozscott]

The issue for me is that a number of sellers on ebay Australia are using the Australia Post image, stating that they use Australia Post for delivery, yet this is not true. Firstly they cannot deliver the item to an Australia Post post office box, secondly when they provide tracking information it is not Australia Post's, and thirdly, they have usedf a courier company that then sublets their service to Amazon. I have been called a number of times by Amazon who say they cannot deliver to my PO Box. I contated Australia Post, they suggested I inform ebay. Yet it would appear ebay do not want to clamp down on this fraudulent behaviour.

[lezned-toycollector]

No... state the truth. You're done trying to explain away the facts that have been presented to you, and you don't know how to handle any interaction which is not exactly what you want to hear.

You can keep playing the victim all you like, but in this situation you are only the victim of your own personal choices.

I'm done trying to explain anything to you. I've got better things to do.

I keep picturing my dear departed grandfather telling me something about brains and statues... now what was that exactly? I'm outta here.

Have a great day 😊 

[countessalmirena · Accepted solution]

1. eBay does not own Pitney Bowes.

2. The GSP is not a priority or premium service.

3. Neither is eIS.

3. As I understand it, eBay has to some degree replaced the GSP with eBay International Shipping (eIS) for sellers in the US. Quoting: ❝eBay International Shipping keeps all of the benefits of the Global Shipping Program while offering lower shipping costs and much simpler buyer experience with eBay handling all aspects of international returns and any other claims. eBay International Shipping has replaced the Global Shipping Program in the US, but you may see it available on other non-US listings.❞ — https://pages.ebay.com.au/international-shipping/

4. eBay does differ from the GSP in that eBay does actually manage the final domestic leg of the delivery. Quoting: ❝You will see 2 tracking numbers because the item will be shipped via two shipments. First, it will be shipped from the seller to the U.S. domestic shipping hub (first tracking number). Upon receiving the item, eBay will manage the shipment directly to your shipping address (second tracking number).❞ I don’t actually know whether eBay uses Aramex for the local delivery of parcels sent through eIS… but it is possible.

5. If you’re opposed to Aramex being used, you can ask your seller to use a different tracked delivery service - but bear in mind they may not want to forgo the protections offered to them by eIS (or the GSP). If parcel forwarding appeals to you, that’s another option. You may be able to lower the shipping cost by ordering a good pile of items over a couple of weeks - to combine overall shipping fee - but you are highly unlikely to come out of it with a cheaper price - but they do use premium direct-to-door carriers. Overall, some people do prefer it and it may be the only option for some overseas purchases not confined to eBay.

Caveat: many people complain about Aramex. I believe the complaints to be legitimate. However, it also seems to be area-specific, as to whether their service is dreadful or satisfactory. Where I live, it’s fine. In fact, I just had a delivery by Aramex courier about an hour ago - no issue, timely, delivery instructions followed. I realise that’s of no comfort to those in areas where the service is abysmal.

[bgpzfm-au]

1. eBay does not own Pitney Bowes.

Thank you for this clarification. 

4. eBay does differ from the GSP in that eBay does actually manage the final domestic leg of the delivery. 

That's what I thought; thank you for confirming it.  

I don’t actually know whether eBay uses Aramex for the local delivery of parcels sent through eIS… but it is possible.

Based on what you quoted from the eIS definition document (i.e. "eBay will manage the shipment directly to your shipping address"), it would suggest to me, by that wording, that the choice of the local end delivery provider is made by eBay Australia. Most of the international purchases I've made lately have been from the US, and it would appear the differences between the GSP and eIS are more than mere rebranding. 

If eBay Australia doesn't want to change from using the Aramex low-hanging fruit for local end delivery, I'll follow your suggestion and ask the seller to send the goods via USPS directly. The small extra cost is worth the piece of mind and knowing the parcel won't be left out in the weather. 

Again, thank you for your sensible reply;

[kh-jean]

Hi everyone,

This discussion has gotten a bit heated. Please remember that, while it is fine to disagree with others, discussion should always remain friendly and respectful as required by the Community Guidelines .

Thank you for your cooperation.

[michellebartley]

I have parcels delivered by Aramex very often, local & international, and have done for a number of years now.

I have never had ANY problems with this courier company, I give them 10 out of ten stars no problem, I can't understand what your beef is with them.

[repentatleisure1952]

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@lezned-toycollector wrote:

No... state the truth. You're done trying to explain away the facts that have been presented to you, and you don't know how to handle any interaction which is not exactly what you want to hear.

You can keep playing the victim all you like, but in this situation you are only the victim of your own personal choices.

I'm done trying to explain anything to you. I've got better things to do.

I keep picturing my dear departed grandfather telling me something about brains and statues... now what was that exactly? I'm outta here.

Have a great day 😊 

---

Please read the reply from the countessa... which supplies the correct details of EIS Shipping.

[bgpzfm-au]

I can't understand what your beef is with them.

1. Failure to deliver packages. 

2. Failure to leave packages in safe locations and out of the weather, and to follow elementary delivery instructions. 

3. Leaving 'premises unattended' cards in the letterbox because they're too lazy to come to the door. 

4. Failure to answer their advertised phone numbers - which go to voicemail, then drop the call before any message can be left. 
5. Failure of their website complaint form to acknowledge receipt of complaints.  

6. Failure to provide any package tracking updates for days and weeks at a time. 
7. Changing the tracking numbers originally issued to the item, and failing to cross-reference the Aramex tracking number with original tracking number. 
8. Paying premium prices for a substandard, unreliable service.