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Mandatory tracking
WHY is offering tracking not required of all sellers?
UPS, FedEx, etc all offer a tracking number if requested; the USPS will charge an enormous $0.90 to $.1.60 to add tracking. WHY is this NOT REQUIRED?? I would gladly pay an extra $.90 to $1.60 to ensure that my purchases actually GET TO me or that I can locate the "missing link" and let the seller/shipper know. FIVE purchases have gone "missing" this month. I ask sellers to include tracking but too many of them WON'T, will not even charge me for the "laborious task".
Anyone else fed up with this? Anyone else want to see sellers REQUIRED to add a tracking number to all sales? (yes they can pass the extra on to the buyer ... Gee - a whole $1.60 extra .. that'll break me)
Obviously I am fed up and want Fleabay to add this requirement
primetechie
OP3 years agoThank you for that at least. I have engaged with Ebay CS and after arguing with Tim Cavor clones, finally got the website page and phone # for their inputs to development. I have discusses this with a few of them and have gotten mostly positive feedback on required tracking or options. We will see if there is any truth to that.
Meanwhile - my question originally posted was to GET these options enabled, not so much to engage in arguments as to what the current status is (I know that) or why my request is only my opinion (I know that too) and we all could have saved ourselves wasted messaging if the FIRST response had been that eBay employees are not monitoring these board and the link or # to get ahold of them.
Thank you
disneyshopper
Mentor3 years agoIf ebay were to require tracking on every transaction, either sellers who sell items such as decals and other items that ship in plain white envelopes would leave the site, or would have to price their items using Ground Advantage which would raise the price so high that no one would purchase their items.
inceptions
Mentor3 years agoSellers are not required to ship with tracking. Though tracking automatically comes with most shipments, sellers may not upload it to eBay. Tracking protects the seller, and they are not required to share the tracking # with you. Of course it behooves them to post the tracking so that their account metrics are not dinged by eBay, but that's another discussion.
If you're buying from experienced sellers with great feedback, you likely won't encounter a situation where you don't automatically received tracking.
There is nothing you can do until after the estimated delivery date shown in your Purchase History passes. When it's past the estimated delivery date shown, you have up to 30 days to use the option next to the transaction to open a case for an item not received. The seller will have 3 business days to prove delivery or refund. If he doesn't, go back to the case on day 4 and use the option to ask eBay to step in. They will force the refund.
primetechie
OP3 years agoMy points are:
1 tracking SHOULD be offered for EVERY PURCHASE
2 I will ban and give negative feedback/comments etc to any seller that refuses to share tracking info.
I am sorry - NO! Tracking is NOT just for the seller. It allows the buyer to see where/when the item IS and with FedEx and UPS losing items the way they have been (FIVE shipments "lost" in the last moth alone) tracking is a necessity.
I'm just going to have to quiz each seller before I purchase or make an offer and veto them if they do not offer tracking and share the number. MOST of my sellers do both, but it is the new and stubborn ones that are giving me ajida. And you would THINK that sellers would prefer to NOT have to give out refunds like candy because their shipper is lazy inefficient or just in inept about their items.
I find ALL THREE major shippers (FedEx, UPS, USPS) are more likely to "care about" and "take care of" items that are shipped with tracking numbers. Two of the five mentioned above were "un-lost" a week later - they HAD tracking numbers.
I repeat - no excuse for not offering and sharing tracking info and none at all for jacking up tracking costs. USPS charges between 0.90 and 1.60 for tracking addition, FedEx and UPS include it with no extra charge.
No excuse.
inceptions
Mentor3 years agoUSPS includes tracking for all shipments sent as a package at no charge (with the exception of international shipments to some countries once the package leaves the US).
Since tracking is not part of the sales contract, there is no obligation for the seller to share it with you (though he will if he's wise). To leave negative feedback for a seller who doesn't share the tracking # is malicious and will be removed if the seller reports it. Too many reports and that will backfire on you.
Tracking protects the seller on eBay. They must supply it in the case of an item not received claim. If they can't supply it, the buyer wins the case.
New sellers are not necessarily being stubborn. New sellers don't know all the ins and outs of eBay yet. Some ship via the post office and don't save the tracking information because they don't realize they need it. Some have it but don't know they should upload it.
tracking SHOULD be offered for EVERY PURCHASE
That's your opinion, however it is not eBay's rule. Sellers need to abide by eBay rules, not buyers' opinions. If you buy from experienced sellers with a great track record (you should be reviewing seller feedback before you buy), you'll receive tracking. Stick to that and your dreams will likely come true.
primetechie
OP3 years ago"That's your opinion, however it is not eBay's rule."
That is why I started this thread. Supposedly Ebay employees monitor this page. Thus I strongly suggest that tracking BE required, or the option to add tracking be required for EVERY seller.
If this was any other platform, there would be a section of the website to request changes/additions. There is no such site on Ebay - so here is my request for mandatory tracking or the option to add it for all sales from all sellers. In the last 20 years Ebay has gone from a virtual garage sale to a commercial business site. This is not what I wanted but it is what it is. Time to treat transactions like businesses. Track!
rock.star
·3 years agoEBay employees do not monitor this page. Tracking will never be mandatory but a good seller will aways use Tracking.
inceptions
Mentor3 years agoThis is a member community. eBay employees are not monitoring these boards except for board use violations and occasionally when topics are referred to them.
If you are looking for a suggestion box, see this link:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behavior-policies/unsolicited-idea-submissions-policy?id=4256&st=3&pos=3&query=Unsolicited%20idea%20submissions%20policy&intent=suggestion%20box&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1228
But note again, that eBay cannot force a seller to ship with tracking (especially when none is available for that class of service or destination by the carrier) or post the tracking #. They can penalize sellers who don't upload tracking, but they do that already.
Whether you have a tracking # or not, if your package does not arrive on or before the estimated delivery date shown in your Purchase History, you can open a case to get your money back.
rfmtm
Mentor3 years agoTracking is required and with anything but a stamped envelope is automatic and included at no extra charge for all packages through USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc. Ebay also automatically emails you the tracking number when the seller buys the label or inputs the tracking number.
So what type of item are you buying that you are not receiving a tracking number for?
primetechie
OP3 years agoSmall items that are shipped "economy" with no option to ADD tracking. I'm just going to have to quiz each seller before I purchase and veto them if this is not an offer