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Deceptive eBay International Shipping Vs. Ebay Standard International Shipping.
It's been 20 years of eBay for me. Except small issues and a few fights with customers, I didn't have huge issues. But my last experience with a $500 item shipped to France left me an extremely bitter taste. Interesting, NO ONE at ebay hurries to take responsability. They run around the tail, invoking "eBay Standard International Shipping" rules.
So here it is.
Shipped an item to eBay's hub, CONVINCED it was with eBay International Shipping - the default shipping service I opted for and which should be the default one (not eBay Standard International Shipping) because I didn't add any extra International shipping services in listing. eBay says (just above "add other shipping services" the following:
"Buyers can choose eBay International Shipping or any service you add. With other services, you'll manage the export process yourself, including customs and returns."
While the little blue button of "adding" other shipping services was on, no "other shipping services" were visibly added.
However, the customer chose "eBay Standard International Shipping" and that's how I shipped the item.
The item left the PO June 5th, arrived at CAROL STREAM, IL June 7th and was stuck there until June 28th. Three weeks.
The customer contacted me several times and I gave as much explanation as I could. In my delusion, I was still thinking this is handled "eBay International Shipping".
I called eBay June 24th to inquire, I received an answer:
"We have checked the tracking and it has no update since 7th June, so the item is apparently lost in transit."
I advised the customer to open a case.
July 2nd, the item began to move again only to "arrive at facility" July 11th and then to get stuck in customs (where it still is) because it is missing customs papers and the customer cannot pick up.
eBay closed the case in favor of the customer (which is right) and charged me the whole value of the item, including shipping costs, eBay fees etc. Got backcharged $477. My initial "profit" was $215.
Now I am out of item, out of money, and it seems that the best I can get back is the $100 the item was insured for thru "eBay Standard International Shipping".
I am not getting back any fees because eBay closed the case (even if the item is still stuck in customs because of eBay), most probably I am not getting back the item, not any other money.
Any advices (beside NOT EVER SHIP Standard international)?
Thank you, sorry for the long rant.
