Item's Stuck at Shipping Hub | Buying | eBay Canada EN

Item's Stuck at Shipping Hub | Buying | eBay Canada EN

Buying & Selling

Item's Stuck at Shipping Hub

Summary: jomaacoo10 has recently experienced a problem with two expensive items purchased on eBay getting "stuck" at the eBay International Shipping (EIS) hub, suspecting theft or mishandling. Despite reaching out to eBay, they were advised to wait until filing a complaint. mrdutch1001 and others debated the potential causes, including packaging issues or automation errors, but jomaacoo10 remained convinced of foul play. Eventually, jomaacoo10 received a refund from eBay after investigation, although they remain unsatisfied with the outcome, highlighting a warning to be cautious with high-value items through EIS hubs. Other users shared similar concerns and experiences about potential mishandlings at eBay's shipping hubs.

Hello Everyone,

I have recently purchased a ton of PSA 10 pokemon items along with some items that are vintage. Out of the 40 items I purchased 2 items (Which are the most expensive ones ) are stuck at "Item arrived at hub"

I noticed with all other items that when the "item arrived at hub" was in the tracking it would be shipped same day and with new tracking info.

So these two items one of which is a full set of "Pokemon Southern Islands from early 2000's" has been stuck there since July 1st and its value is 1,499. The other item is a Gold Metal Charizard worth 1,999 and has been sitting at the hub since the 12th of July also saying "Item arrived at hub" all other 38 items shipped same day when "item arrived at hub" was in the tracking.

I think people are steeling items when they're small and of a high value. Easy for someone to follow the package and steal it as they have humans checking in and relabeling items. The problem lies with workers knowing whats in the packages.

I have reached out to ebay and they said wait till the 17th of July to file a complaint SMH.. There is clearly an issue as it has not moved in over 2 weeks. It would be nice if they would open up an investigation and track the package immediately as there is a higher possibility of finding out what went wrong.

Sellers should be more cautious of using the hub for international shipments as that is a concern for thiefs to get a hold of your item. I have never had a single package lost when shipping directly with a shipping carrier in over 25 years. But to have 2 items out of 40 go missing in a matter of two weeks is outrageous.

Can someone shed some light on this for me please?

Thanks,

jomaacoo10

226 View listings

Posted 2 years ago·Last reply 2 years ago

22 comments

luv4orphans

·2 years ago

I had a Coach hang tag gone missing from there about 3 months ago. Hard to come by item unless you want to pay big $$ and shipping is not cheap either going through the EIS program. Now looking for another one but it will cost me triple what I paid. I got refunded by ebay but I would have much preferred receiving the tag I ordered.

I feel the same way you do. Small items are easy to slip into your pockets. I had a buyer mentioned that she also had a comic book of value gone missing from the hub.

flipistics

·2 years ago

I doubt it's theft. I believe some higher value items have additional paperwork requirements in order to enter the country. I suspect a lot of the issues we've seen with the eIS program is likely due to eBay's partners not having all their ducks in a row.

jomaacoo10

OP2 years ago

You can see here in the video I uploaded how many items I purchased and yet 2/3 most expensive items some how sitting in limbo.

https://youtube.com/shorts/7UzyQSoLD6E?si=YAqnZ_yPBxic7EmZ

reallynicestamps

·2 years ago

And before it got to the hub it was handled like this:
USPS TERMINAL.jpg

And once it gets to Canada it will be handled like this:

CANADA POST CHUTES.jpg

What is the last estimated date for delivery?
If it does not arrive by then, you can Claim a refund.

If your shipment arrives after your refund, eIS does NOT want it back.

And the seller keeps their payment.

jomaacoo10

OP2 years ago

Tomorrow for the first item and end of July for the second item

reallynicestamps

·2 years ago

Tomorrow for the first item and end of July for the second item

Then your item will likely turn up today (the 17th) or tomorrow (late).

If it does not, open a Claim and get your money refunded.

If the item shows up after that , eIS does not want it back.

And the item that is not due for a week or more will show up in a week or so.

Don't watch tracking. It doesn't help.

mrdutch1001

·2 years ago

"Sellers should be more cautious of using the hub for international shipments as that is a concern for thiefs to get a hold of your item...."...The EIS program was set up for the benefit of sellers NOT for ease of buyers...

USA Sellers will use the EIS program because it is a hassle free system FOR THEM!

THis is how the EIS is promoted to its sellers: "When you make an international sale, you are only logistically responsible for shipping the items safely to the domestic eBay International Shipping hub. Restrictions, customs paperwork and international shipping are done on your behalf. Your sale is complete when your item arrives at our domestic shipping hub, no matter what....."

BTW, conspiracy theories about the EIS are just that... empty theories with 0 proof.

jomaacoo10

OP2 years ago

So what happened to the packages then? It’s automated, have you ever watched the video of what happens with your package on its journey through the EBay International Hub?

mrdutch1001

·2 years ago

are you referencing this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzLC5D3IwOI

jomaacoo10

OP2 years ago

Yes, that is the one.

marnotom!

·2 years ago

@jomaacoo10 wrote:

So what happened to the packages then? It’s automated. . .

And it could have been that automation that did them in. eBay International Shipping is heavily reliant on accurate and complete information from the seller on the nature of the item, and that information is processed largely without the intervention of a human. If the seller neglects to provide certain information in the listing or, more importantly, the "Item Specifics" section of the listing, it can lead to the item being delayed or even dead-ending at the hub if that missing information is crucial to the customs documentation that the hub has to prepare for it.

This eBay for Business podcast episode is almost three years old and refers to the Global Shipping Program--eBay International Shipping's predecessor in the US and the system still used in the UK--but it's still a fairly relevant listen. The portion you'll want to listen to starts around the 42:35 mark and it concerns a vintage hat that dead-ended at the GSP hub because of how some information in the Item Specifics section of the listing was filled out and interpreted:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/eBay-for-Business/Episode-160-Part-3-Tracking-Your-Social-Campaign/ba-p/32361098

jomaacoo10

OP2 years ago

That is definitely not the case, being automated when you ship the package to the international hub. A tracking number is input into eBay for the item that was sold. Now when it arrives at the hub and is scanned they know exactly what is inside the package. That’s why only certain packages get opened and inspected, the packages get X-ray’d to ensure that a person did not place an illegal item in there when claiming that it is something else. For example I bought a POKEMON card but used that as a ploy and had the seller put A knife that is illegal to enter Canada. The contraband would be denied at the hub, but would at least be updated on the listing as ineligible. The reason it is automated in such a way is to reduce human intervention and increase output imagine having to open every box because they don’t have a clue of what is inside the parcel. Other shipping carriers only Xray no company has time and man power to inspect every package, we’re talking millions of packages a day it’s just not possible. This is why contrabands still make it into certain countries, it is impossible to catch everything illegal being shipped.

That being said I don’t believe for a second that if it did indeed get flagged for inspection that it would take over 2 weeks for someone to open the box and inspect what is inside of it. Considering the majority of packages are just relabeled and placed back onto the conveyor belt. I can’t see that big of a delay, would also see a scan informing the customer by tracking that it is being “inspected” so that customers aren’t blowing up the chat or phone support.

jomaacoo10

OP2 years ago

Is there a way to attach photos in here so I can post the tracking?

Shipment history
At Hub (Step 2)
Tracking number will be provided
Mon, Jul l
11:31am
Seller to Hub (Step 1)
Item arrived at hub
Mon, Jul 1
8:46am
Sun, Jun 30
11:59pm
Sun, Jun 30
1:23pm
Delivered, Left with Individual GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL 60139
Available for Pickup
CAROL STREAM, IL 60188
Redelivery Scheduled for Next Business Day
GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL 60139

All other items that didn’t have an issue, tracking history looks like this…

Fri, Jun 28
6:07pm
Fri, Jun 28
6:07pm
Fri, Jun 28
1:00pm
Fri, Jun 28
12:37pm
Fri, Jun 28
1:06pm
Track Package
PAYMENT. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR PAYMENT OPTIONS.
PACKAGE RECEIVED AT DHL ECOMMERCE DISTRIBUTION CENTER
MELROSE PARK, IL
Estimated delivery date updated to Wed, Jul 10
DHL ECOMMERCE CURRENTLY AWAITING SHIPMENT AND TRACKING WILL BE UPDATED
WHEN RECEIVED
MELROSE PARK, IL
LABEL CREATED
MELROSE PARK, IL
EN ROUTE TO DHL
ECOMMERCE OR AWAITING
PROCESSING
MELROSE PARK, IL
Tracking number provided
Fri, Jun 28
11:17am
At Hub (Step 2)
Fri, Jun 28
12:47 pm
Seller to Hub (Step 1)
Item arrived at hub
Fri, Jun 28
9:39am
DELIVERED LEFT WITH INDIVIDUAL
GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL 60139

reallynicestamps

·2 years ago

Now when it arrives at the hub and is scanned they know what the seller said is inside the package.

As you explain when you tell us how you smuggled an illegal weapon into Canada.

jomaacoo10

OP2 years ago

So when they scan the package and see that there is a card a little thicker than a piece of paper, then they have verified that it is indeed the same as the last 30-40 packages that went through there That I had purchased. If there was cause for inspection it would have been stated in the tracking.

Sorry “meant as an example, let’s say someone bout a POKEMON card…..”**

I’ll start drawing pictures for the ones that can NOT see that there is a clear typo.

Anyone have any crayons for sale that I can purchase through the ebay international forwarding service?

marnotom!

·2 years ago

@jomaacoo10 wrote:

That is definitely not the case, being automated when you ship the package to the international hub.

That being said I don’t believe for a second that if it did indeed get flagged for inspection that it would take over 2 weeks for someone to open the box and inspect what is inside of it. Considering the majority of packages are just relabeled and placed back onto the conveyor belt. I can’t see that big of a delay, would also see a scan informing the customer by tracking that it is being “inspected” so that customers aren’t blowing up the chat or phone support.

Don't like that possible explanation? Try this one. Items forwarded through eBay International Shipping must be in packages at least 7.25 by 10.25 inches. Since you're buying trading cards, you may be dealing with sellers who aren't aware of this requirement and are shipping them in smaller packages/envelopes the way they would for a US domestic shipment and they're dead-ending at the hub because of this.

jomaacoo10

OP2 years ago

Most of the ones that arrived already were in packaging much smaller then your claimed “7.25”x10.25””

So I don’t think that’s a valid outcome

marnotom!

·2 years ago

@jomaacoo10 wrote:

Most of the ones that arrived already were in packaging much smaller then your claimed “7.25”x10.25””

So I don’t think that’s a valid outcome

It's not "claimed". It's information that's being passed along. A seller posted about this restriction on the .com discussion boards almost a year and a half ago:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Ebay-international-shipping-Terms-amp-conditions/td-p/33551549

That being said, it appears that an upcoming update to the eIS seller terms and conditions doesn't mention this size restriction, so it may have been phased out. I'd have a look at those T&C if I were you, though, as they mention some circumstances where eIS will not forward items from the hub. You paid quite a bit for those cards. Are you sure they're genuine?

https://pages.ebay.com/internationalshippingprogram/seller/terms/