EIS issue
Summary: widgetc encountered an issue where a stamp they sold via eBay went through the eBay International Shipping (EIS) system, which typically does not allow items like stamps. They had a similar issue in the past and resolved it by canceling the transaction. This time, the buyer has yet to respond, leaving widgetc unsure whether to cancel due to an address problem. mandicrafts suggested contacting EIS for clarification and possibly sending the item with tracking, while reallynicestamps and others advised using traditional shipping methods despite potential risks. The discussion highlights confusion over eBay’s shipping choices and fees, with suggestions for improving clarity on shipping categories.
I sold a $5 stamp with letter mail shipping. Somehow it went through EIS and the EIS address is provided. Stamps are NOT ALLOWED to be shipped via EIS.
This happened once before for no obvious reason so I contacted the buyer and we agreed to cancel the transaction and for me to relist it which I did and he purchased it and it went through fine that time.
This time the buyer has not responded and it is 2 days pat the date to ship.
What should I do? Cancel due to a problem with address?
marnotom!
·1 month ago · EditedIf this is the listing for the Special Delivery E7 stamp, your buyer should have had a choice at Checkout between eIS and your flat-rate international economy option.
Either they chose eIS for reasons unknown to us, or else that choice didn't come up for whatever reason.
Checking a few of your current listings with my location set to a US ZIP code, I don't see eIS as an option on any of them, if that's any consolation.
What you're experiencing may be a hangover related to last week's glitch of eIS being given priority in the shipping info over cheaper direct shipping options.
widgetc
OP1 month agoI'm glad the other items don't show EIS as an option...thanks for letting me know. It was the E7.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·1 month ago · Edited@widgetc
Not sure exactly how many "stamp" categories eBay has but seeing some of yours are in Collectible and Art...Sub-Category Stamps. Wonder if that is why eIS did NOT flag the listing. I sold a first day cover 6 months ago to an eis customer (USA). Also went letter to hub but delivered no problem to customer. Maybe luck of the draw or it just snuck through???
See related discussion:
https://community.ebay.ca/forum/selling-24/topic/ups-wont-ship-collectible-postage-stamps-4559/
From my understanding and testing what filters through/or doesn't is category specific vs listing title. I have stamps of various types and currency but I don't specialize. Next to impossible to confirm one way or the other what filters eBay uses.
There needs to be some sort of flag when either creating or checking a listing noting that it does NOT qualify for eIS and the reasoning vs send and find out after the fact? Or a filter in sellers hub?
@devon@ebay Can you address this question/concern?
widgetc
OP1 month agoStamps are a subcategory of Collectibles and Art. In this case:
Collectibles & Art
Stamps
Canada
Back of Book
But eBay should know this.
dinomitesales
·1 month agoSend it with a stamp to the hub. Hope for the best. In this case, "best" is that it shows as received by eBay, and then eBay liquidates it because it can't be exported but you keep the funds.
Worst case scenario you lose $6.45.
And send an email to the eIS address like Mandy suggested and ask them why this sale was allowed in the first place.
reallynicestamps
·1 month agoA $5 sale?
Put stamps on the envelope and drop it in the mailbox.
Most people are honest and tracking is not necessary. Stamp collectors even more so.
Cookie Jar Insurance is your friend here.
Use the money you save by using some of that pile of mint modern postage every philatelist has to ship to pay the CJI "premium".
widgetc
OP1 month agoThat is what I always do. But I use EIS for a few non-stamp items so am active in the program. I have no idea why a customer would select EIS over my $1.75 shipping or why eBay would allow it given that stamps are not allowed. I might well mail to EIS but since they don't allow this item will they mail it back to me or what?
This has happened to me exactly twice but last time the buyer replied to my message.
reallynicestamps
·1 month agoYou can upgrade a shipping service, but not downgrade it. Your customer wanted tracking. They may or may not have wanted to pay import fees in advance.
I would suggest using UPS, which is tracked, but I found to my dismay this week that UPS does not accept stamps for shipment.
Poot.
How about using Registered Mail? It is tracked in Canada, though not reliably tracked outside of Canada, and would cost about that $14 your buyer paid.
You already lost money on this sale, so it becomes a tax deduction.
widgetc
OP1 month agoThe $14 went to EIS... I received only $1.45 less the associated fees for shipping.
reallynicestamps
·1 month agoThat makes sense.
I often ship stamps to eIS without tracking. Although I use Free Shipping I allow about $1.50 for the stamp (face $1.24, envelope 10c, Cookie Jar Insurance 15c).
I haven't had any losses in the mail yet (and others who do the same seem to have the same result).
Once at the eIS plant, the shipment is given tracking etc.Which is what the rest of the $14.00 covers.
widgetc
OP1 month agoI mailed it today. My concern was EIS rejecting it because stamps are on the not allowed list.
reallynicestamps
·1 month agoI put my faith in illiterate robots and bored minimum wage clerks, plus Cookie Jar Insurance.
mandicrafts
·1 month agoemail eis@ebay.ca to let them know this is happening, if postage stamps are not allowed via EIS. Although, if that is an EIS rule, why were they able to purchase that way? You could just mail it to the hub (send it via a tracked method), and then it's eBay's problem and you keep the sale. Or you can do as you suggest, and cancel due to problem with address if you are concerned.
easoss
·1 month agoThat was my thought. Why cancel an EIS sale, if eBay accepts it it becomes their problem.
widgetc
OP1 month agoSending a $5 stamp for which the buyer paid me $1.45 shipping by a tracked method is not feasible.
Stamps, coins & paper money are on the not allowed list
mandicrafts
·1 month agoYou can mail it in, and as long as the hub indicates it has received it, you are off the hook. It may be easier to just cancel since it is a low value sale. Did you look to see what they charged the buyer for tariff/shipping etc (out of curiosity). You can see that by printing the packing slip (without having to actually print it).
widgetc
OP1 month agoWhat your buyer paid
Subtotal
C $5.00
Shipping
C $1.45
Sales tax*
C $0.43
Buyer is in the U.S.
widgetc
OP1 month agoAhhh...they paid $14.43 shipping!
mandicrafts
·1 month agoYes, only the packing slip shows what the buyer paid. What they pay you (on the transaction) is different. So they paid UP!