eBay

drwho534 · ‎12-12-2012

Hi, purchased an item last week with a tracking number from U.S. buyer. I've been checking the U.S. tracking which shows the package was 'accepted' by them Dec. 7th 10:06 a.m. and then sent to their 'sorting facility' same day at 6:32 p.m. (same location) but as of Dec.12th it apparently hasn't gone anywhere according to their website as there has been no further notifications? After six days I am wondering why would it still be sitting there? It was to be mailed out First Class International. Is this a problem to be pursued, or is their site just not being kept up to date....or is this normal service and I just need to be patient? Makes me wonder?

als_revenge · ‎12-12-2012

I received a package 3 days ago from the US; the online USPS tracking shows it as still being in a sorting facility in Kentucky. So I think that the tracking system is actually garbage...

pjcdn2005 · ‎12-13-2012

USPS First class international does not have tracking. The number you are looking at could be a customs number. That number does get scanned occasionally but not all the time. I have never found it very useful.

reallynicestamps · ‎12-13-2012

The only purpose for having what Paypal and eBay cheerily and inaccurately call "tracking" is to protect the SELLER against false claims of non-delivery.

Most of the numbers the buyer sees are either Delivery Confirmation numbers (all that PP requires in Disputes) or customs numbers.

They do tell the buyer that the postal service has been purchased and the parcel is on its way.

But that is it.

If it has been mailed, you will receive it.

Eventually.

Never buy anything by mail that you need in less than the 45 days PP allows for opening disputes.

windapp · ‎12-13-2012

It's really just a package number, not a tracking number. You usually get one, maybe two scans from it, and that is it. Where is coming from and going too? I can give you guesstimate (no responsibility taken of course) of when it will arrive if it take the average time through customs.

drwho534 · ‎12-13-2012

Hi Windapp...it was handed over to the U.S.P.S. station in Encino CA Dec.7th which shows as 'sent to sorting facility' later the same day, same location and that's all that appears on the tracking web page....nothing since? It's being delivered to Grimsby Ontario Canada by First Class International mail. Just a bit concerned since a similar package that I received today came from PA and the tracking on that one showed every move along the way each day? Wondering why this one doesn't show anything since Dec.7th? Appreciate your input. Thanks!

toby_le_pue · ‎12-13-2012

Try entering the number in the Canada Post system

drwho534 · ‎12-13-2012

Why?...the package is coming from the U.S. and their tracking numbers do not work in the Canada Post system.

pierrelebel · ‎12-13-2012

"their tracking numbers do not work in the Canada Post system."

YES, they do.

windapp · ‎12-13-2012

It would have been a different class of service. I believe priority mail gets tracking. Regular parcel post doesn't. Anyway, the time from when it went to the sorting facility until it gets to you will probably be as follows (assuming it crosses the boarder along the St Lawrence Seaway).

1-2 day at the Facility.

5-6 days to the border.

2-4 days at customs.

1-3 days to Mississauga sorting facility

0-1 days at Misssissaug sorting facility.

1 day to local Post Office.

0-1 days to you (depending on when it arrives).

Total: 10 - 14 business days to you.

I would expect it between 2-3 weeks.

Priority Packages get on the first truck available whereas parcel post packages get on the next truck with available room each hop of the way. It's Christmas time so your package basically has to wait in line behind all of the priority packages being shipped.

froogal_electronic_parts_and_overstock · ‎12-14-2012

"their tracking numbers do not work in the Canada Post system."

YES, they do.

NO, they don't.

It was to be mailed out First Class International

froogal_electronic_parts_and_overstock · ‎12-14-2012

.or is this normal service and I just need to be patient? Makes me wonder?

yes, it will arrive. From another thread, the 'item not received' claims are largely fraud. The post office delivers and packages are rarely ever lost.

drwho534 · ‎12-14-2012

I'm afraid not....tried that and doesn't work. Even if you try to email or 'chat live' (which I did today) they cannot help but just tell you to contact the sender (alot of good that does). I think it's probably a case of it gets scanned once it enters the system and that's it until it arrives? Although tracking my other U.S. sent package (from a different state) the tracking webpage showed it's journey each day all along the way until it arrived at the border!? U.S. Postal service needs to provide a better and more consistent service right across the U.S.

als_revenge · ‎12-14-2012

Are you sure you have a tracking number? I have bought two packages from the US recently where the seller entered the custom number as the tracking number, and mailed it first class. When they do this, the USPS will provide some limited updates, but it won't get tracked to your door.

You indicated in your original post that the item was to be mailed out first class international - that means there is NO tracking.

How much did you pay for postage on that package? The seller is nuts if they mailed that thing first class...

2011limey1 · ‎12-14-2012

I personally won't pay for any expedited service from the U.S. for anything. When it's sent USPS - yes, sometimes a tracking no. is shown, but only to the point of when it was handed in at the U.S. Post Office, that's all. No problem for me.

pjcdn2005 · ‎12-14-2012

If your "tracking" number starts with LJ, CJ or something similar, it is NOT a tracking number. It is a customs numbers which may be scanned once or twice in the U.S. but it will not show where an item is step by step or show that it has been delivered.

As mentioned many times in this thread, First Class International does not have tracking.

drwho534 · ‎12-15-2012

Hmmm....that is interesting since the seller has obviously charged me enough! What do you do if a seller has charged you one fee for shipping and then sent via a much cheaper method? (obviously to pocket the 'extra' profit they've just made)!!!????

froogal_electronic_parts_and_overstock · ‎12-15-2012

Hmmm....that is interesting since the seller has obviously charged me enough! What do you do if a seller has charged you one fee for shipping and then sent via a much cheaper method? (obviously to pocket the 'extra' profit they've just made)!!!????

normally I tell people not to worry about shipping. You were happy to pay the full price. Why worry?

BUT... if the change decreases the expected level of service (usually delivery time)

Or you are 100% sure it was done strictly to save money, then call them on it.

Ask to share in the discount. This is not feedback extortion and is 100% allowed by ebay to even threaten neg FB if you feel shipping is too high.

Although I don't recommend using the FB hammer out loud, it's always implied.

windapp · ‎12-15-2012

What method did the seller promise to use? If they said they were sending it parcel post, and they sent it parcel post, you have nothing to complain about. If they said they would send it express post, you need to work with the seller to get the difference back. Whether they refund the difference or not, I would still give at least a neutral, if not a negative.

drwho534 · ‎12-15-2012

Stated 'Standard International Shipping' charge of $45.00 from CA ? My fault in assuming this was some sort of 'priority' or 'express service' with proper tracking (for that kind of money!). I believe now this is just a regular postal service for shipping a small package (shoe box size but a bit weighty) out of the country and the 'tracking' number provided is as you say NOT a proper tracking number but only a package number to indicate that it was received at the postal station? YET another similar package arrived within a week from PA also using 'Standard Int'l. Shipping' but the charge was only $28.00....and I WAS able to track this one on the USPS website? Information was stated all along the route till it reached customs? If I had known I would have paid to receive proper tracking service.