shipping discrepancy from korea

[dono-mom]

I recently bought a pair of headphones from a Korean company. When I did so, Ebay asked me what kind of shipping I'd like. I chose the standard shipping and it told me that would take 11-17 days. Fine, I can wait that long. 

The headphones did not show up within that time and so I contacted the seller asking for refund of the extra shipping costs (free shipping was economy). They said "no" and then edited their listing and told me that on their listing it clearly says that shipping to Canada is up to 35 business days. 

How can there be such a huge discrepancy between what ebay tells me and what they are saying? It doesn't seem fair that I was told one shipping time by Ebay when I placed the order and another from them later. 

Any recourse here? 

[dmil8030]

Hello 'dono-mom',

Ebay does not dabble in shipping methods so I'm not sure what you mean when you say, 

"Ebay asked me what kind of shipping I'd like"  and   "I was told one shipping time by Ebay..."

Do you mean at the checkout when you selected the shipping method and cost?

That would be set up by the seller.

You chose some form of cheap shipping, and not the more costly expedited, so it is imperative

that you understand that low cost shipping methods tend to be slow.

Perhaps the seller did not set up the listing very well.  I see now that the seller offers 'free'

shipping but the item cost is 10 bucks more than you paid.

You will have a lot easier time on ebay, and doubtless live longer, if you accept that sellers

almost always underestimate the time it takes an item to arrive.  If you whip yourself into a frenzy

about allegedly "late" items, you will raise your own blood pressure unnecessarily.

It has been a rare occasion indeed when I have received an item within the predicted time frame,

especially an international order.

Your item is on its way, but on the off-chance it does not arrive, you have 45 days in which to

file a claim for non-receipt.  The following link explains about that:

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/buy/item-not-received.html

The seller has indicated that no shipping refund will be forthcoming, and after all, you did not

choose the speedy but costly option.  The seller does not have to refund you over a little delay.

Have patience, and wait for the things to show up.  If the earphones have not arrived after 40 days,

contact the seller.  If you have no item and no refund by day 43, open a claim and do not close it

until you have one or the other.

That's the system.  There is no recourse for slow-poke items, certainly not when you chose the

shipping method, -- irritating as that may be.

[dono-mom]

So what you're saying is that the shipping times I was given as a user were set up by the people who sold the item, but I should just live with the fact that they're late because.....I'm cheap???

The time given for expedited shipping was the same as the time given for standard shipping, which I did pay extra to get. I guess, by your logic, I should have paid even more for expedited so that I couldn't get the item any faster?


My actual question is that if the checkout says 10-17 days for standard and their ad says up to 35 days, then shouldn't someone do something about the fact that the first number is incredibly misleading?

[dmil8030]

Hi again, 'dono-mom',

<<So what you're saying is that the shipping times I was given as a user were set up by the people who sold the item, but I should just live with the fact that they're late because.....I'm cheap???>> 

Not because you're cheap, no, -- because the shipping method is cheap.  Lower cost forms

of shipping are always slow.  And yes, the shipping times suggested are put in the listing by

the seller.  Standard shipping from Korea can be slow. 

<< I guess, by your logic, I should have paid even more for expedited so that I couldn't get the item any faster?>>

hahaha, very droll.  When you want speedy shipping that always costs the most.  This whole thing

is why most sellers do not offer a choice.  I'll always pick cheap shipping but I don't mind waiting

for my items.  But too often people want low cost shipping and an item that arrives in minutes.

<<if the checkout says 10-17 days for standard and their ad says up to 35 days, then shouldn't someone do something about the fact that the first number is incredibly misleading?>>

Perhaps.  But if the ad says up to 35 days then the seller has provided the information and cannot

be accused of 'misleading' in any way.

I cannot comment on anything you say you may have seen at the checkout, but near as I can see now,

the listing does indicate a possible 5 week wait.

If you are now suggesting that because the arrival of the item has taken longer than you anticipated

and as such you would like to be financially compensated, I can only tell you truthfully that this is

not going to happen.

After you've done more international online shopping you will come to accept that items can be

laughably slow to arrive, so if you need something quickly it is best to buy closer to home, even if

that means spending more money.