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Seller never responding
Summary: 21stcenturypops expressed concern about a lack of communication from a seller on eBay after purchasing an item. They noted the absence of a tracking number and the seller's failure to respond to inquiries. eburtonlab and mr_lincoln provided advice, explaining that a tracking number may not be immediately available, especially for international shipping, and that sellers are not obligated to respond to messages. Both contributors advised 21stcenturypops on filing a claim starting one day after the estimated delivery date if the item is not received and reassured them of eBay's Money Back Guarantee.
Hi. I'm a buyer. I sent a shipping inquiry to an active experienced seller with tens of thousands positive feedback, six days ago.
I did not get reply but anyway I bought from them with Buy It Now and then paid instantly, and I sent them greeting message, making sure they submit tracking number for me.
Then five days past (six days since first inquiry) and I receive no messages at all, and apparently my item hasn't been shipped yet. My parcel should have a tracking number according to their shipping method, but there is no update information on eBay.
Buyer's item page was indicating the estimated delivery schedule, which begins on October 4, which is only four days to go, and since this is international shipping, this won't be the case if they haven't shipped it.
I quit being an active eBayer years ago, and it seems they have changed so much since then. As far as I remember, I had to mention very clearly about handling time (how many days you would take to ship), but the seller's item page show nothing other than delivery schedule.
So here are my questions:
Is this pretty normal for eBay buyers ignoring buyers messages for this long?
Is this seller going to send me the item silently, without sending any messages, without updating shipping status (tracking number)? Does eBay allow this to do this?
Can I cancel this order now without any penalty from eBay? If not now, when can I cancel it?
21stcenturypops
OP1 week agoOK. Thank you for the answers. I can't believe this seller got more than 99% positive feedback rating, since last century.
When I was a seller years ago, I always informed my buyers tracking number with greeting messages. I never imagined a seller sending items without tracking number when the number available.... Wouldn't it be too risky for sellers to receive bad feedback... (or no buyers care about having tracking number except me...)?
mr_lincoln
Mentor1 week ago · EditedHi @21stcenturypops
-Buyers cannot cancel transactions, they can only request a cancellation. Sellers have to cancel or decline the request.
-Sellers are under no obligation to reply to messages. While not responding is bad business to me that Seller may not care either way
-Sellers who do not ship with tracking to confirm delivery are at risk for losing a claim that the item was never received.
-You only have to wait one day past the original estimated delivery date to file a claim that you did not receive your package. Here is what we share with members when this happens:
Really sorry that happened ... the date you want to keep an eye on is the original estimated delivery date. One day past that is when you can process a claim.
You are protected by the eBay Money Back Guarantee for 30 days from the latest estimated delivery date: eBay Money Back Guarantee policy
You can file a claim via the item in your Purchase History that you did not receive your item one day past the original estimated delivery date and up to 30 days after that. Follow the steps in the claim and they will lead to an eventual refund.
You can report a Seller here: Online Customer Service - Report an issue with a seller
eburtonlab
Mentor1 week ago@21stcenturypops
Tracking protects the seller, not the buyer. The seller is not required to respond or to provide tracking until after an "item not received" case has been filed starting the day after the last estimated delivery date, though many sellers will provide tracking or respond to messages as a matter of good customer service.
It is possible the seller has actually shipped, but that the tracking has not been updated yet. It is not uncommon for tracking to not be updated in an international shipment until the item reaches your country if it is being handled by the postal service that will deliver it.
Buyers cannot cancel without the seller's cooperation, so you will likely have to wait until the day after the last estimated delivery date to file an "item not received" case if nothing arrives and tracking is not updated by then. The seller will have three business days to provide tracking that shows delivery or else refund you. After that you should be able to ask eBay to step in and force a refund, though eBay may give the seller extra time if tracking shows progress in your direction at that point.