Should I contact the seller or wait to claim?

[jdj53]

Long story short. Purchased a box set of cds with a Buy It Now shipped through GSP from the US to Canada. This was on Feb 25. Seller has still not shipped even though I paid immediately with paypal. Should I start asking the seller for the status of shipping, or wait until the day after approximate delivery date (March 11) and put in Item not received claim with ebay? No way it will arrive before March 11 if it has to go through Erlanger.

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

Ask the seller for the date of shipping, service used and tracking number.

That may galvanize him into action if he has not yet shipped.

The shipment will have gone to Erlanger KY, and the GSP plant.

If it has arrived there, the tracking number will change, but you should be sent the new one which starts UPAxxxxx.

If he has not sent it at all, you can start an eBay dispute on March 11 if it has not been DELIVERED or immediately on Paypal which allows Disputes for 180 days from PAYMENT.

But start with the seller. He may be baffled about how to proceed with a GSP order. Some sellers were defaulted into the program and are unsure what to do.

Politely.-- Captain Malcolm Reynolds.

[jdj53]

This is what I sent to the seller. 

Hi there! I noticed that you haven’t yet shipped this box although I purchased it a week ago. Being that you used the Global Shipping Program, you need to ship the box to Erlanger, KY where Pitney Bowes will then ship it to me in Canada. I know some sellers are not sure how to proceed with GPS shipments out of the US. Once you have shipped, I will be notified with a tracking number.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@jdj53 

For references purposes only: Seems to be quite the list?!?

See Eligibility - Restricted Categories

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/global-shipping-program.html#m17-2-tb2

Items listed in any of these restricted categories are currently not supported by the Global Shipping Program due to export limitations or restrictions identified by a global shipping provider.

• Business & Industrial > Heavy Equipment
• Business & Industrial > Heavy Equipment Attachments
• Business & Industrial > Websites & Business for Sale
• Cell Phones & Accessories > Smart Watches
• Coins & Paper > Virtual Currency
• DVDs & Movies > Storage & Media Accessories
• eBay Motors > Vehicles (Note: Parts & Accessories are supported by the Global Shipping Program)
• Gift Cards & Coupons
• Health & Beauty > Fragrances
• Home & Garden > Fresh Cut Flowers & Supplies
• Pet Supplies > Backyard Poultry Supplies
• Pet Supplies > Other
• Real Estate
• Specialty Services, with the exception of:
  • Specialty Services > Custom Clothing & Jewelry > Hats, Handbags & Accessories
  • Specialty Services > Custom Clothing & Jewelry > Jewelry
  • Specialty Services > Custom Clothing & Jewelry > Other
• Sporting Goods > Other
• Stamps > Other
• Tickets & Experiences
• Travel, with the exception of:
  • Travel > Luggage
  • Travel > Luggage Accessories
  • Travel > Maps
  • Travel > Travel Accessories
• Video Games & Consoles > Prepaid Gaming Cards
• Wholesale & Bulk Lots

As to what makes it to Pitney Bowes, what gets held up and if/how customers are advised.

As per that page sellers should see this when they list in restricted categories.

Note:This is not a full list of unsupported categories. If the category you're listing in doesn't support the Global Shipping Program, you'll see an alert when you create your listing.

Main link for GSP attached.

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/global-shipping-program.html

[jdj53]

I just had a boxed set of cds from a different artist shipped GSP from the US..arrived today before estimated date.

I had a single cd shipped GSP last week, arrived before the estimated date.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@jdj53 

Based on the listings I see with GSP it's may be entirely hit and miss. I just discovered that particular page recently. (Definitely worth bookmarking if you choose to purchase from those GSP sellers). Are sellers seeing that message when they create a listing. Who knows? All I know is I've seen reports of items getting to PB and never showing followup scans or poofing from eBay sellers purchase pagebuyer page. Buyers frustration from that scenario is constant. I've had that happen with items I had previously sold and I don't even have access to GSP. Shipped/In route/Gonzo.    No explanation/any rational was never shown. Buyers will attempt to leave feedback and no option to.

-Lotz

[jdj53]

If that becomes the case, that will be my swan song with ebay. 

[jdj53]

I don’t think it is anything other than a delinquent seller. If he had shipped to Erlanger, there would be a shipping notice. There is no notice that he has even shipped. He claims to ship within 3 business days. I will wait for his answer, or on March 12 start a item not received claim with ebay.

[lady.stark]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

@jdj53 

• DVDs & Movies > Storage & Media Accessories

Main link for GSP attached.

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/global-shipping-program.html

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The way I read it, CDs and DVDs are OK. It's the accessories and storage items that are excluded.

[marnotom!]

That’s how I read it, too, @lady.stark.

[jdj53]

Quick update. I have never worked so hard to get a seller to actually do what he is supposed to do...ship the **bleep** package to me.  After some back and forth yesterday evening, he tells me the box set has shipped. I waited a few more hours for a tracking number. That was yesterday. The PBI tracking number as of a few minutes ago still shows not delivered to USPS, so I’ve sent him another message asking if he actually took the box to the post office. It’s like pulling teeth with this guy! There is now no way I will get the package in the time specified by ebay, as he waited a week to even get a tracking number. If it hasn’t moved by March 12, I’ll have to put in a claim of Item Not Received if it isn’t moving through the system. I’m not sure what his problem is.

[femmefan1946]

If it hasn’t moved by March 12, I’ll have to put in a claim of Item Not Received if it isn’t moving through the system.

Personally, I'd try to open an Item Not Received Dispute now. I believe that we sellers have only five days to get an item in the mail, unless we have specified a longer "handling time".

He only has to ship to Erlanger and his problems are over.  Easy peasy.

If he cannot prove delivery (not shipping even, delivery) you would be refunded.

But do be careful to state that this is supposed to be a GSP shipment which has not yet been shipped to the GSP plant. Ask for a GSP specialist, since you have paid fees to the GSP to cover duty and sales taxes.

One ongoing problem with the GSP is that many sellers enrolled in it are the same xenophobes who were unwilling to ship outside the USA until the strong Seller Protections* made it easy. Even worse, some sellers were folded into the Program without their knowledge and panic when they get a non-US buyer. 
Keep in mind that US sellers can Block sales outside the lower 48, including not only Hawai'i and Puerto Rico but also APOs-- the armed forces addresses.

Which was eventually allowed by eBay because so many sellers demanded it.

*And this is a Seller Protection program that offers little benefit to buyers.

[jdj53]

Thanks for the suggestion femmefan1946, I have already tried that but he did get a tracking number, but that seems to be all he did. It seems I’ll have to wait till March 12 to proceed. I sent him a message yesterday asking if he had actually shipped the package, and what method of shipment he used to Erlanger. No reply. He knows what to do, he just doesn’t seem to want to do it. Who knows? He may be having sellers remorse or is a hoarder who cant part with anything.

[jdj53]

This afternoon the Pitney Bowes tracking # PB....... shows the box in Erlanger undergoing Customs and Labeling, so he must have shipped it next day, but notification didn’t catch up until today. So, I think all is good between the seller and myself. I sent him a thank you for shipping to Kentucky so quickly.

[lady.stark]

Glad you will get the package soon.

I remember a few years ago, I had the same problem with a seller. That seller didn't use GSP, but had shipping to Canada specified in her listing. She kept telling me her mother was sick and had to take care of her. But she also kept listing stuff. She finally shipped the package after more than a week (close to 2). I don't know if the story about her mother was true, but seriously, if you are taking care of a sick person, don't list on eBay stuff you will not be able to ship...

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@lady.stark 

As I would translate the category DVDs & Movies > Storage & Media Accessories they are referring to the content that is on a CD or DVD. The rationale behind that would be concerns of illegal, copyrighted or adult content. The other reason for blocking that is some DVD's/CD's/Software is only supposed to sold to specific countries. (I have a copy of Windows Office that is only supposed to be sold to citizens of N. America.) The possibility they could be concerned regarding (Media Storage) ='s a  CD stand wouldn't make much sense.  It would similar to saying that you can sell the book but not a bookcase. Sorry, best analogy I can think of.

The problem with GSP trying to stop all sellers that sell DVD's/CD's with the rest of their listings would be extremely difficult. And it wouldn't be the first thing that is designed to work a certain way, not working as it should.  Or the alternative, the possibility is not strictly enforced.

As for the Seller end, I would imagine many sellers would not be aware of the items that can't be sold through GSP along with the buyers. All they care about is them arriving in a timely manner. Maybe GSP's posted list of items needs a tad more of an explanation to end any possible confusion or frustrations.

-Lotz

[pjcdn2005]

They are not referring to the content on a CD or DVD.  They are referring to the category called storage and media accessories 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Empty DVD/CD cases. Heaven forbid!!

Search from dot com displays a similar collection.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=DVDs+%26+Movies+%3E+Storage+%26+Me...

Entirely up to interpretation. It wouldn't be the first time anyone found information in help that was inaccurate.

-Lotz

[the.witch694]

I agree with you on the baffled part, if one is not competent enough to figure out how to correctly use the GSP he should choose a simpler (ofter pricier) method.

It's not the buyer's fault that the seller they bought from is a complete sped who does not understand how the GSP works and all that mediocrely common knowledge that apparently isn't all that "common".

no one really got "ripped off" here, IMO, eBay is a gambling website, it's a gamble every time and if you actually manage to get your pink hello-kitty handbag for your girlfriend or you hawaiian baby woodrose seeds you plan on ... uh ......
"planting" (in you psyche).. hehhe (but not "eating" of course, haha yeah right :D)
long story short, if your item lands in erlanger and you receive it before eternity ends, you hit the double jackpot because 95% of us arent so lucky..

The seller is merely getting paid to ship the item your way with your name&info on it and from then on, you're money's gone..
You don't actually have to receive the item in your hand, if it stops there and is deemed "delivered" on your tracker, then the job is done everyone did their part and you are short however much you paid and you have to file a case and blah blah blah which will provide nothing but answers.... (fk ur answers we want our item/refund)

There is nothing on God's green Earth, that can possibly (legally) be done further, unless you plan on breaking in there, I don't recommend that but if you do (against my advice) make sure you have spit yo prayer game to da G'man upstairs and accepted J-zuss C-rice'd (Tha MF'in' LORD, b*atch) as your favorite rapper of all time because I'm pretty sure they are heavily guarded and Smith and Wesson don't take kindly to intruders around these parts pilgrim...

u'no? that town ain't big enuff fer the 2 of ye's, DRAW partner
(Sorry for my humor, not probably what you want to hear but if you're reading this page, I gotta lighten your day SOMEhow with a laugh, tru fam??)

[marnotom!]

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@the.witch694 wrote:

IMO, eBay is a gambling website, it's a gamble every time 

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Just before this thread is shut down for being exhumed:

Anytime you purchase something that you're unable to have in your hot little hands at the time you part with your money, you're gambling.  It's not a situation exclusive to this website.