How do I track my shipment once order is placed?

[elainey86]

Could someone please advise how to track shipping on ebay? This is my first purchase and I would like to see the progress on the shipping. If you could help, that would be great. 

Thank you.

[femmefan1946]

How much are you willing to pay for this service?

For example, a US seller can ship up to four pounds of stuff for around $5. to Canada. But if you want to "track" the parcel, the USPS would charge him (and you since you pay for shipping) $25 or more for that service.

Couriers automatically track their shipments, and they sometimes seem cheap, but they backload customs brokerage fees, sales tax and duty onto the addressee. The seller does not necessarily know this, but there you are on the doorstep with the UPS guy demanding all those fees , which can easily double or triple the cost of the item, before he will release it to you.

Your best bet is trust. Ask the seller for the date and method of shipping. He may also be able to provide a customs number which might tell you when it crosses the border and is released by customs.

Oh, and no matter what the postal systems tell you, allow about 20 days for the parcel to arrive from the USA. Thirty days from Asia. Ten to 15 days from Europe or Canada.  If your purchase hasn't arrived by then, notify the seller. If it has not arrived in 40 days from payment, start a Non-Delivery Dispute through Paypal.

Most sellers are honest. But this is mail order.