eBay's reluctance to provide INR support
eBay is dragging out an INR claim that has no evidence of being in transit for over a month.
The item was purchased from a Chinese seller on Feb 04, shipping via eBay SpeedPak.
Item was shipped and cleared customs Feb 10.
OC in charge of the package had no info of it being shipped.
Estimated delivery date was Feb 24-27.
On Feb 24 eBay changed delivery date to March 02. OC listed package "in transit", no tracking number.
On or just before March 02 eBay changed delivery date to March 06, no change at OC.
On or just before March 06 eBay changed the delivery date to March 12, no change at OC.
On March 09 I filed an INR with eBay. No package, no tracking number, and 4 weeks since any tracking of it. And enough time to cross the US several times.
eBay put the INR on hold until March 16, waiting to see if it would show up. The package did have a tracking number showing coming from China and through customs. Tracking number is from OC., eBay's partner in this shipping service.
Now with no further info, eBay has delayed the INR again to March 26.
I just received a message from the seller, saying the package looks to be lost and they would give a refund or send another, but I have to drop the INR first. That is not going to happen.
In my account with USPS, going to informed delivery( I believe it is called), there has never been a label for a package from them.
This has been a slap in the face for me. I recently had an INR filed against me, for a package that USPS sat on for 2 weeks. eBay would never have delayed settlement for me. the package moved and was delivered 5 days after refunding the buyer.
mudshark61369
·5 months ago@fishing-101 ,
" The package did have a tracking number showing coming from China and through customs. Tracking number is from OC., eBay's partner in this shipping service".
If as I suspect "OC" is Orange Connex, once the item cleared customs, the domestic final mile shipping service's tracking number should have started updating. Most often the partner service is USPS, but could also be UPS or FedEx and for very large items DHL. You should have received a tracking number from one of them.
Have you used the Ask ebay to step in button yet? When you do that there is a message box you can use to give them more info. In this case you should state: "In an ebay message the seller says item appears to be lost, but has asked me to close the dispute before they will refund or send a replacement, which is a policy violation".
"I recently had an INR filed against me, for a package that USPS sat on for 2 weeks. eBay would never have delayed settlement for me. the package moved and was delivered 5 days after refunding the buyer".
That is what happens when using ebay standard envelope shipping. eBay got USPS to reluctantly accept that service, but those items rarely get acceptance scans or updated tracking, until they reach the Sorting or Distribution center closest to the buyers local P.O.. Then tracking may update to show out for delivery 1-3 days before the local P.O. actually receives it. If I were to use ESE/ESU I would talk to my carrier and have them scan those envelopes, or if you take them to your p.o. go to the desk and have them scanned. At least then there is an acceptance scan, which would cause ebay to extend the wait time before issuing a refund.
You haven't sold that many items, but when you do sell something check the tracking occasionally, and if something looks like it is lost in the system, call the shipping agency's customer service and file a missing package claim. Then message the buyer with the claim number so they know you are trying to get the item delivered, and can check on the claim's progress.
fishing-101
OP5 months agoIf as I suspect "OC" is Orange Connex, once the item cleared customs, the domestic final mile shipping service's tracking number should have started updating. Most often the partner service is USPS, but could also be UPS or FedEx and for very large items DHL. You should have received a tracking number from one of them.
Yes Orange Connex. Have not received any final mile tracking number. Around a 6-8 ounce item, would expect USPS. Have checked my account with them, informed delivery, no tracked shipping label with them.
No way to ask eBay to step in, that has been constantly delayed by them.
This is what they now say:
Your case is on hold
eBay Customer Support has placed the case on hold until Mar 26, 2026 to allow time to provide additional documentation.eBay Customer Support has placed the case on hold until Mar 26, 2026 to allow time to provide additional documentation.
The seller provided tracking that shows the item is currently on its way to you. You should receive it soon.The seller provided tracking that shows the item is currently on its way to you. You should receive it soon.
If your issue is resolved, you can close this case without waiting for a response from Customer Support.If your issue is resolved, you can close this case without waiting for a response from Customer Support.
Claiming the seller provided tracking, so where is it? NO tracking info, NO product in over a month.
marnotom!
·5 months agoParcelsapp might have information on the final mile carrier and the assigned tracking number. Try looking up the original tracking number there, @fishing-101.
Having said that, I've come to the conclusion that we buyers have been oversold on the value of tracking. It doesn't make the item come any faster or in perfect condition. What happens or doesn't happen between when the seller sends it off and the estimated delivery window is largely irrelevant to buyers. Frustrating as it is, if you've been given a new estimated delivery window, the only thing you can really do is wait until then before following up.
marnotom!
·5 months agoHave you tried checking the tracking on Parcelsapp? I sometimes find that it displays scan information that's not viewable elsewhere.
Is the tracking (no matter where you view it) stating or implying some sort of delay in the shipment? If so, that may be the difference between this shipment and the one you got hit with an INR for. If there was no event scan from USPS for a delay, there's no way to know for sure if USPS was indeed "sitting on it."
bonanza125
·5 months agoThis is more of a learning experience. The recommendation is this don't deal international cause you will experience delays. Your item is still in transit. It's not considered lost. There can be a 4 to 8 week waiting period until you receive your item. So you mind want to reconsider purchases from China if you expect a quicker delivery time.
fishing-101
OP5 months agoRead it again, it was in the US and through customs in 6 days.
bonanza125
·5 months ago"Read it again, it was in the US and through customs in 6 days."
"The package did have a tracking number showing coming from China and through customs. Tracking number is from OC., eBay's partner in this shipping service."
Chinese seller who gave you a United States location. View the profile of the seller. Do you see China? That means the item or even the seller location is in China. Those are sellers you want to avoid. Your complaint is nothing new in this community. It's a common complaint.