USPS delivered my package to some guy in the US?

[kr0925]

So I got something shipping from the US to Canada, latest update was just a few minutes ago. USPS texted me saying that someone in Glendale Heights, Illinois picked up my package from the post office. Is this right?? How could they have messed up that badly

[fireballs372]

I recently purchased a game console from a seller on EBAY and I panicked when I received an envelope with a piece of paper in it instead of my game console. I had to pay $50 in duty and taxes since the "letter" had a listed value of $192. The letter was from the seller telling me that:

- the item was being shipped from their warehouse

- they gave me five stars and could I return the favour

- they will give me 10% off my next purchase

- there was a death in the family

The word "Colecovision" (the item I was buying) was scribbled across the paper with a blue felt pen.

The day after I received the letter EBAY listed the item as "Delivered"

When I contacted the seller they sent me a screenshot of a delivery notice of something being delivered to Illinois as proof that they shipped my console and it was out of their hands. 

[flipistics]

This is almost certainly a scam. Their reasoning is complete nonsense. Contact eBay immediately.

The seller could have communicated all of that to you via a message. They sent the letter tracked with that value for a reason.

[reallynicestamps]

Your problem has nothing to do with this zombie thread from February.

I agree this is a scam.

Start your own thread to get better advice.

The phone reps have a terrible reputation for getting you off the phone as soon as possible even if that means giving you the advice you want to hear instead of the advice you need to have.


https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/ — Message button in upper right on landing page.

https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/


https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/How-do-I-contact-Customer-Support/m-p/32016431#M1783851 -> Automated Assistant, type AGENT -> enter. You will then get more options.


The social media Chat accounts are covered by trained eBay employees with some authority.
And you get a transcript so you can compare what you heard with what you were told.
 

[pjcdn2005]

You paid for a game console, you received a letter. I would open a return using the reason 'missing parts and pieces' or item not as described.

[mmc273]

EBay is very sneaky about this and it really screws US Canadian customers big time because we have no idea what their plan is. It seems that any packages from the US going to Canada all go to Glendale Heights Illinois it then sits there until they feel like moving it forward to the destination in canada. Do they not realize that this really screws us if we need to get something in a hurry? I'm having something from New Jersey sent to Niagara Falls Canada and what should have been maybe 5 days total is now going to be nearly 3 weeks because of this stupid game they play. Talk about an absolute time waster and added costs that they don't mention at all. Before you click the Buy It Now button or whatever there should be a paragraph that explains this as it really wouldn't take much and I bet you they'd probably lose about 80 to 85% of Canadian customers because of this unnecessary **bleep**.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@mmc273 wrote:
EBay is very sneaky about this and it really screws US Canadian customers big time because we have no idea what their plan is. It seems that any packages from the US going to Canada all go to Glendale Heights Illinois it then sits there until they feel like moving it forward to the destination in canada. Do they not realize that this really screws us if we need to get something in a hurry? I'm having something from New Jersey sent to Niagara Falls Canada and what should have been maybe 5 days total is now going to be nearly 3 weeks because of this stupid game they play. Talk about an absolute time waster and added costs that they don't mention at all. Before you click the Buy It Now button or whatever there should be a paragraph that explains this as it really wouldn't take much and I bet you they'd probably lose about 80 to 85% of Canadian customers because of this unnecessary **bleep**.

---

@mmc273 

@fireballs372 

I've personally used freight forwarders for many of my shipping needs. (Distribution capacity.) When we used we knew what we were getting. The information attached is ONLY as an FYI for reference purposes only and how it corrolates to what eBay sellers have the choice of using. If you check out the official dot com help page link on the program you will see the "advantages" as per eBay. Unfortunately it does not clearly display any disadvantages or perils.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-international-shippin...

General info:

What are the advantages of using freight forwarders?

Freight forwarders negotiate better rates with shippers due to the enormous volume of containers they manage and coordinate for their clients. This known as economies of scale. As with any industry, forwarders economies of scale are defined as having a cost advantage per-unit when the level of output is increased.

Are freight forwarders worth it?

International shipping presents significant economic potential but also a great deal of uncertainty. Shipping errors can be expensive and cause significant delays in the delivery of products. But hiring freight forwarders is worth its weight in gold for businesses because it saves them time and money.Mar 8, 2023

1. Freight forwarders offer one point of contact.
2. Good forwarders are international transportation experts.
3. Freight forwarders manage the entire scope of international shipments.

From a personal perspective, it would definitely be more informative/helpful if eBay was more transparent when it comes to anything that is not handled door to door (seller to buyer) vs the current system(With eIS: Seller to forwarding depot on to XYZ courier to buyer). Unfortunately that is something we probably won't see happening. All you can do as a buyer is do your due dilligence and make a judgement as if your purchase is worth the risk/cost and fits your requirements for delivery. The window is specified when when you check shipping costs. If you con't like what you see at checkout...Best to ask. This will save any unexpected surprises.

-Lotz

I've included the making International purchases for buyers help page. Unsure of how up to date it is because eBay help pages are undated. The information in this link may or may not be accurate. (GSP is noted but is being/has been phased out. 

https://www.ebay.ca/help/buying/postage-delivery/changing-delivery-address-method/international-purc...

[antiquegirly]

This happened to me as well.  My package was delivered to someone in GLENDALE HEIGHTS on December 4th.  I called USPS and they could not help but confirmed that it was delivered and that the address didn't match mine which suggests someone at the Ebay Hub is committing mail fraud and diverting packages headed to Canada. I contacted ebay seller who used my address on the site which has been the same for 15 yrs and that many years of purchases there.   I filed a formal complaint because this is a very serious USPS fraud issue and someone at the hub is breaking the law - this also means that Ebay has a huge problem at their Global Shipping hub that they need to investigate and put a stop to.   NOT wanting to scare everyone whose packages may arrive but people also need to know that there is fraud happening to some ppl! 

[pjcdn2005]

There is no fraud going on. Your package was sent via eBay international shipping which means it is first delivered to a hub in Glendale Heights or California.  It is processed there which may take a little while, especially at this time of year. Then it is forwarded to the buyer. 

[pjcdn2005]

devon@ebay 

We often get posts here and on .com about tracking showing that a buyers package has been 'delivered to some guy in Glendale Heights'. The buyers think their package was delivered to the wrong address and get upset as they feel they are not going to receive their purchase. I don't know what sort of messages the buyer sees  when the your has something being sent by EIS but I think that it has to be made more clear what the process is.

[antiquegirly]

As I cleary stated --- I called USPS in Glendale and the package was indeed delivered to someone other than me on Dec 4 at 10:31 am.  The address on the package was not mine but the tracking number was.  Contacted seller and it was the only thing he sold within the week and my address has been the same on ebay for 15+ yrs. USPS said they will do an investigation.  Others here have said that their package was either picked up by and/or delivered to someone else.  So, while patience is required, especially this time of year, there ARE other things going on that are harder to explain away.   

[marnotom!]

@antiquegirly, does the tracking number for your item start with "EEUS" or is it strictly numbers?

Could you check the tracking information for your item on this universal tracking site for us?  It does a pretty good job of pulling together tracking information for shipments where multiple carriers are used, and that would be the case for something forwarded through eBay International Shipping:

https://parcelsapp.com/

What sort of information on the shipment is on the right-hand side of the page?

[devon@ebay]

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

devon@ebay 

We often get posts here and on .com about tracking showing that a buyers package has been 'delivered to some guy in Glendale Heights'. The buyers think their package was delivered to the wrong address and get upset as they feel they are not going to receive their purchase. I don't know what sort of messages the buyer sees  when the your has something being sent by EIS but I think that it has to be made more clear what the process is.

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Hi @pjcdn2005! That is a good callout and something that I can have passed along to the correct team! 

[pjcdn2005]

When an item is shipped throu eBay international shipping it won't have your address on it for the first leg. It has the Glendale Heights or Cali shipping center on it.  I don't know if it normally has the buyers name but does have a code on it indicating who and where the parcel is going to.  Based on that info the new label they put on the package will have your name and address on it and if you don't have one already, you'll get an EEUS tracking number.

I honestly dont see a reason to be concerned at this point as so far the transaction sounds like any EIS one. But I do understand how disconcerting the whole situation is.

[briacheveri_0]

**bleep** mine says that too. I’m from Canada as well

[marnotom!]

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@briacheveri_0 wrote:

**bleep** mine says that too. I’m from Canada as well

Everything is likely fine.

[pjcdn2005]

Why 'bleep'?   As said in the thread, that just means that it has been delivered to the ebay international shipping center and will be forwarded to Canada after it has been processed.

[reallynicestamps]

Your first question should be "Has the last estimated delivery date for my purchase passed?"

Your second should be "How will looking at tracking help move it any faster?"

If it hasn't arrived on time open a Not Received claim and get a refund.

[reallynicestamps]

@antiquegirly 

@ briacheveri_0

e the information is still useful, this is a ZOMBIE thread from February.

To save you reading the information here.

The US address is Glendale Heights IL , about 30 minutes from O'Hare Airport in Chicago.

The person who recieved it is a plant worker.

Your parcel will pass customs there (yes, in the USA, nothing unusual) and be transferred to Canada.

Once in Canada it will be given to another shipping company and you will get a new tracking number.

Your eBay purchase tells you when the last estimated date for delivery will be.

Mark that last date on your calendar.

If your parcel is later than that, open a Not Received dispute.

DON'T EVER WATCH TRACKING.

[s10lowride]

Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Where eBay orders go to die

[reallynicestamps]

You are covered by the Money Back Guarantee.

If your purchase is not delivered by the last estimated date eBay gave you at the time of payment, you can still make a claim for a refund and have 30 days to do so.

If you allowed the 30 days to pass, you are also covered by your PP account and /or by your credit card's chargeback policy.

EIS is a Seller Protection.

If your item is lost or delayed in transit after it reaches Glendale Heights,  the refund is paid by eIS not by the seller.