Item going missing at shipping hub

[hornetsss]

My items keep disappearing at the shipping hub, in the last two in a half months the shipping hub has lost two of my purchases and my third purchase shipping hub would not export my third item, I could not imagine why my purchase of Lionel train tracks could not be exported??

This has been going on for a long time items disappearing at shipping hub , I'm sure it has happened to many people.

this needs to be investigated , and corrected , I am fed up with buying items and never receiving them!

[marnotom!]

---

@mariemilagritos wrote:

Kind of strange that coins/stamps/paper money are treated the same way as hazardous material and weapons. I bought some big coins but don't think they were large enough to kill someone 😁

---

It's likely that eIS's insurers are unwilling to back their shipment (see @reallynicestamps' earlier post), or perhaps they will up to a certain dollar amount in value but it's simpler to just state that the category is "restricted" (as opposed to "prohibited") and buyers and sellers can take their chances.

[femmefan1946]

I believe that Canada Post will not insure delivery of coins or bullion and has not for decades.

So this may be a downstream effect of that restriction.

When our business was shipping stamps, often valued in the thousands, we carried third party insurance through Hugh Wood International, who thoroughly understand collectors and collecting and will insure stuff that gives most insurers the willies.

If you are looking for a good insurance company for your collection, I would recommend them. We also use them for our art collection.

[hornetsss]

Well another one on my items gone again  "cannot export" that's 4 item that didn't make it to me , this time it only had a little minor surface rust, not listed as parts or untested etc..

the item had no battery or anything else that would be a red flag.

So what could it be this time?? 

This is to much of an over reach on shipping policy this needs to change!!!

[flipistics]

---

@hornetsss wrote:

Well another one on my items gone again  "cannot export" that's 4 item that didn't make it to me , this time it only had a little minor surface rust, not listed as parts or untested etc..

the item had no battery or anything else that would be a red flag.

So what could it be this time?? 

This is to much of an over reach on shipping policy this needs to change!!!

---

What was the item?

[hornetsss]

Model train controller 

[flipistics]

---

@hornetsss wrote:

Model train controller 

---

Do a search online and see if that controller has had any product recalls. If so, that's probably your reason. Otherwise, I agree that it seems weird. Maybe call up the CBP and ask them. Then you'll know if it's eBay doing something funky or if there actually IS a policy.

[marnotom!]

---

@flipistics wrote:

Do a search online and see if that controller has had any product recalls. If so, that's probably your reason. Otherwise, I agree that it seems weird. Maybe call up the CBP and ask them. Then you'll know if it's eBay doing something funky or if there actually IS a policy.

---

As with @hornetsss's other items, there's possibly something in the listing description that raised a digital red flag.

[hornetsss]

Here's what I mean....if I purchase car parts and the box it came in says brake parts and is listed as parts in the listing , will this mean I will not receive my item just because it says parts on it .....I need a lamp (part #12),   ...Requires a separate (part) to assemble , ....  Antique radio (parts),  ... Rare New old stock (untested ) motorcycle lamp....Needs cleaning (as is )....old radio tubes (untested ) for display only....... And so on and so on .....

do you see we're the problem lies, I buy antiques to restore them and if I need a parts  to fix another then we're do I get parts to fix things (when they aren't made anymore) and aren't found where I live. This is one of the reasons I joined eBay years ago so I could get access to these things.

I can ship through normal postal shipping at home and ship the same items and not have a problem at all and makes it to its destination , where as when it goes to the shipping hub ( it's gone ,cannot export)

[hornetsss]

3/4 of eBay listings have these conditions in their listings so what is one to do?

This will drive away international buyers from purchasing products cross boarder because buyers won't feel confident that they will  get their product they purchased!

[marnotom!]

My understanding of the restriction/prohibition on automobile parts is that it only applies to used parts that may contain hazardous residues. These would likely have to be eyeballed at the forwarding hub, so I don’t think the use of the word “parts” in the listing would put eIS’s bot or AI into a tizzy.

[reallynicestamps]

This will drive away international buyers from purchasing products cross boarder because buyers won't feel confident that they will get their product they purchased!

Given the xenophobia and paranoia of many US sellers, this may be a feature and not a bug.

The seller is paid.

More space on the shelves.

Once delivered to the forwarder, the seller is not responsible for delivery, he is paid.

No chance of a Not As Described dispute.

[marnotom!]

---

@reallynicestamps wrote:

The seller is paid.

More space on the shelves.

Once delivered to the forwarder, the seller is not responsible for delivery, he is paid.

No chance of a Not As Described dispute.

---

Something that occurred to me thanks to your post, @reallynicestamps, is that since eIS/eBay should be taking the hit in the event of a NAD dispute for an item handled by the service, these items may be "disappearing" in order to eliminate the chance of one of these disputes happening.  Two of the listings in @hornetsss's original post were categorized by the seller as "used" despite being untested and thus of unknown condition.  "Not working or for parts" would have been a better categorization of these items' conditions as eBay defines "used" items as ones that are supposed to function as a new one would.  NAD disputes for these "used" items that are untested and better suited as parts are pretty much an instant loss for the seller, or for eIS if they take the claim.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

---

@marnotom! wrote:
My understanding of the restriction/prohibition on automobile parts is that it only applies to used parts that may contain hazardous residues. These would likely have to be eyeballed at the forwarding hub, so I don’t think the use of the word “parts” in the listing would put eIS’s bot or AI into a tizzy.

---

@marnotom! 

@hornetsss 

@reallynicestamps 

If this is a problem (shortcoming) of eIS are the powers that be communicating it to their sellers orrrrr is everything full speed ahead? Tough luck for any buyers caught in the crossfire!! Do not pass go, do not collect 200.00 go back to search and start over? To an onlooker it sounds like...Houston, we have a problem!!! Abort, abort, abort!!!

-Lotz

[marnotom!]

---

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:If this is a problem (shortcoming) of eIS are the powers that be communicating it to their sellers orrrrr is everything full speed ahead? Tough luck for any buyers caught in the crossfire!! Do not pass go, do not collect 200.00 go back to search and start over? To an onlooker it sounds like...Houston, we have a problem!!! Abort, abort, abort!!!

---

The problem is sellers using the "used" descriptor for items that are "as is," "untested," or with flaws/imperfections that are more than minor.  Sometimes it has consequences, sometimes it doesn't.  This problem may have consequences when an item is forwarded by eIS, it may not.  I'm just spitballing.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

---

@marnotom! wrote:

---

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:If this is a problem (shortcoming) of eIS are the powers that be communicating it to their sellers orrrrr is everything full speed ahead? Tough luck for any buyers caught in the crossfire!! Do not pass go, do not collect 200.00 go back to search and start over? To an onlooker it sounds like...Houston, we have a problem!!! Abort, abort, abort!!!

---

The problem is sellers using the "used" descriptor for items that are "as is," "untested," or with flaws/imperfections that are more than minor.  Sometimes it has consequences, sometimes it doesn't.  This problem may have consequences when an item is forwarded by eIS, it may not.  I'm just spitballing.

---

@marnotom! 

In doing my own testing over the course of time I have discovered that what is available (between both sites) and even listing categories varies for condition. Maybe the 2 sites need to try to make them mirror each other vs what currently looks like hit and miss. For any sellers who list in those categories where items are being stalled there needs to be a bit of training sellers so they know what is acceptable(for international shipping). How bout even an error flag when any new listings are created to screen out items that should not leave the country. (Are you sure?)

It falls into what is or isn't approved(acceptable) based on general customs rules. Is it the sellers responsibility to know that something is not allowed or the buyers? Listing starts with the seller. The answer one will see for this question tends to vary depending on who is asked.

-Lotz

[marnotom!]

---

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

It falls into what is or isn't approved(acceptable) based on general customs rules. Is it the sellers responsibility to know that something is not allowed or the buyers? Listing starts with the seller. The answer one will see for this question tends to vary depending on who is asked.

---

Strictly speaking from the view of international law, @lotzofuniquegoodies, the importer is responsible for knowing if their item is kustoms-kosher.  If you visit the United States and buy some fruit or veg from a farmer's market vendor that turns out to be quaranteed, Canada Border Services isn't going to chase down the vendor for selling the fruit to a Canadian tourist.  It's going to be on you to dispose of or destroy the fruit before entering Canada.

I don't get the sense that international law is any different for sales of items made on a digital marketplace.  Certainly, from a customer service point of view it would be desirable if the sellers did their homework before listing possibly questionable items, but there's no legal obligation for them to do so as far as I know.  

Also keep in mind that it's not necessarily the item in and of itself that could be problematic, but carrier limitations and restrictions.  Perfume and fragrances are staples at most duty-free shops in airports, but importing/exporting them by mail could be problematic.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

---

@marnotom! wrote:

---

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

It falls into what is or isn't approved(acceptable) based on general customs rules. Is it the sellers responsibility to know that something is not allowed or the buyers? Listing starts with the seller. The answer one will see for this question tends to vary depending on who is asked.

---

Strictly speaking from the view of international law, @lotzofuniquegoodies, the importer is responsible for knowing if their item is kustoms-kosher.  If you visit the United States and buy some fruit or veg from a farmer's market vendor that turns out to be quaranteed, Canada Border Services isn't going to chase down the vendor for selling the fruit to a Canadian tourist.  It's going to be on you to dispose of or destroy the fruit before entering Canada.

I don't get the sense that international law is any different for sales of items made on a digital marketplace.  Certainly, from a customer service point of view it would be desirable if the sellers did their homework before listing possibly questionable items, but there's no legal obligation for them to do so as far as I know.  

Also keep in mind that it's not necessarily the item in and of itself that could be problematic, but carrier limitations and restrictions.  Perfume and fragrances are staples at most duty-free shops in airports, but importing/exporting them by mail could be problematic.

---

@marnotom! 

Wouldn't/shouldn't they fall under the same restrictions as banned items?

How do I find out what items are allowed on eBay?

If you're not sure whether your item can be listed on eBay, check our list of prohibited and restricted item policies below. Except in these situations it's a inherent problem of eIS?

https://www.ebay.ca/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/prohibited-restricted-items?id=4207&st...

-Lotz

[marnotom!]

---

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

---

---

Wouldn't/shouldn't they fall under the same restrictions as banned items?

How do I find out what items are allowed on eBay?

If you're not sure whether your item can be listed on eBay, check our list of prohibited and restricted item policies below. Except in these situations it's a inherent problem of eIS?

---

This conversation is getting pulled in several different directions because of the various shades of grey involved.  I'll try to state this simply.

It's the seller's responsibility to know what's "eBay legal" in general.

It's the buyer's and seller's responsibility to know what's "eIS legal" if they choose to use the program for import/export purposes.  Both parties are subject to eIS terms and conditions.

It's the buyer's responsibility to know what's "customs legal" if they're importing merchandise, no matter how it's shipped.

Something can be "customs legal" but not necessarily "eIS legal" or permitted by whatever other choice of international carrier.

Hypothesis: Items can become "eIS illegal" depending on the item category used by the seller or the supporting information the seller uses in Item Specifics and/or the item description.  There's no exact science out there and imperfect bots/AI are doing a lot of the vetting of eIS listings and shipments.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

---

@marnotom! wrote:

---

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

---

---

Wouldn't/shouldn't they fall under the same restrictions as banned items?

How do I find out what items are allowed on eBay?

If you're not sure whether your item can be listed on eBay, check our list of prohibited and restricted item policies below. Except in these situations it's a inherent problem of eIS?

---

This conversation is getting pulled in several different directions because of the various shades of grey involved.  I'll try to state this simply.

It's the seller's responsibility to know what's "eBay legal" in general.

It's the buyer's and seller's responsibility to know what's "eIS legal" if they choose to use the program for import/export purposes.  Both parties are subject to eIS terms and conditions.

It's the buyer's responsibility to know what's "customs legal" if they're importing merchandise, no matter how it's shipped.

Something can be "customs legal" but not necessarily "eIS legal" or permitted by whatever other choice of international carrier.

Hypothesis: Items can become "eIS illegal" depending on the item category used by the seller or the supporting information the seller uses in Item Specifics and/or the item description.  There's no exact science out there and imperfect bots/AI are doing a lot of the vetting of eIS listings and shipments.

---

@marnotom! 

@hornetsss 

Basically all was trying to suggest it shouldn't be the buyers fault when a seller lists something to be purchased. There is a bit of an inconvenience factor for that buyer plus any lost costs/time when 1 of these EIS transactions going off the rails. More annoying from buyers perspective when they have purchased in the past without EIS and everything went flawlessly. I just have a difficult time defending something eBay related when it has built in flaws. 

-Lotz

[marnotom!]

@lotzofuniquegoodies

If you mean “when a seller lists an inappropriate item or lists that item inappropriately” then, no, it isn’t the buyer’s fault because there’s no blame being assigned to the buyer. As an importer, however, the buyer has some responsibilities to fulfill. Just as online sellers shouldn’t “post and forget,” buyers shouldn’t feel their obligations should end after making payment. The item they purchase isn’t considered theirs until it’s delivered, after all.

As Canadians, we’ve been a bit spoiled as there’s been a gradual removal of impediments to trade with the United States since the end of the Second World War. However, 9/11 put a crimp in international trade and international activities in general, and I think the US has been suffering from collective PTSD since then.  It’s not getting much better. The GSP and eIS are some of the aftereffects of that, unfortunately.