Fake tracking numbers is very common practice from China and Hong Kong

[zemonti]

I found that many of my asian purchases are with fake tracking numbers, regardless if they are sent or not. They remain forever "in transit", even if they are siucsesfully dellivered.

Last proof is a DVR, received 2 weeks ago, still "in transit".

I have 3 other items stuck "in transit" even one of them was refunded, and the other 2 not in stock.

It is so easy to fake the tracking number. Or cheap.

[i*m-still-here]

Fake tracking numbers were used by the CPO for a long time as well.   They still are.  They're not exactly fake, but they're numbers which are passed off as tracking numbers but don't really track much of anything.

For items coming from Asian countries shipping costs them so little that they can often use shipping with real tracking for very little money.

It's not uncommon for a buyer to receive an empty box from China with a real tracking number...........

Now, that's a problem because the buyer is stuck.

What you're describing .............. not so much...... 

Just make sure you file before 45 days have passed when there's a problem ................ as it seems you already are anyway.

[2011limey1]

Hmm, I never considered items purchased from China had "fake" tracking nos.  When I buy from there, it's usually Free Shipping so I wouldn't expect a tracking no.  A recent purchase of mine did have a low shipping charge........I'm just used to seeing the "tracking" shown as the date the seller shipped it at their P.O.   They always arrive - better that than paying humoungous GSP from the States, which I won't do.

[femmefan1946]

For some years, sellers could put the invoice number from Canada Post into the" tracking " box on the Paypal form.

This number would tell the buyer that the postage had been purchased, but nothing else.

In some cases, for some services, the same number was used by Canada Post in insurance claims.

And in some high priced services it was also a Delivery Confirmation. and occasionally a true Tracking, number.

I'm not naming the services because CP has changed which services carry insurance and/or tracking. In any case, tracking has no benefit for the buyer. Nor does insurance. Both protect only the seller.

It takes 20-30 days for an item to arrive from Asia. Mark the expected arrival date on your calendar. If it does not arrive by then, ask the seller about shipping date and method, if only out of courtesy, and start an Item Not Received dispute before Day 40.