MULTIPLE Sellers Using FAKE TRACKING #s
Last week I purchased pet supplies from 3 different Sellers & it seems that ALL 3 have issued me FAKE Tracking #s
Two of the Sellers have used FAKE UPS tracking #'s. When you click on the #s it takes you to the UPS tracking page and declares that the items were either: Left at Reception or Delivered Inside. And then lists a man's name as recipient. I live in a private residence, alone, no males at the location, no desk or "inside" delivery area.
I just got another tracking update from the 3rd Seller using a USPS tracking #. On eBay it says it just started tracking & will arrive between tomorrow & next Tuesday however, when I click the tracking # it takes me to the USPS website where it says it was delivered 8 hours ago to a Parcel Drop-Off locker???
What the heck is going on? It is my fault for not checking the Sellers reps & feedback better (my bad for late night shopping) but when I do look they have multiple complaints for this behavior yet eBay still lists them as "Top Sellers" & "Trusted"...really?!?
So far I've managed to get a refund from the first Seller & I am waiting to hear back from the other 2 but this is ridiculous. I've been a Seller here for 16 years & this kind of thing just ruins the site for everyone 😞
This was really just a rant but anyone else experiencing this? Any tips for how to avoid or how to handle?
I usually try to steer clear of Sellers outside the US (one Seller was listed as in the US but then the profile said UK) and normally check feedback but again, late night shopping, the kitties needed their food. Will update when the other 2 purchases get resolved.
heathersthriftyfinds09
OP5 months agoUPDATE: Seller #2 has issued a refund.
tobaccocardyahoo
·5 months agoThere are many sellers using the fake tracking scam.
What they have in common, usually is, they are selling what appears to be new mass market items, which are bought on sites other than Ebay by savvy buyers because of price, reliability and manufacturer's warranty.
mudshark61369
·5 months ago@heathersthriftyfinds09 ,
"... when I do look they have multiple complaints for this behavior yet eBay still lists them as "Top Sellers" & "Trusted"...really?!?"
eBay's Top Rated Seller status is mostly based on the number of sales they have made. I've seen the profiles of TRS sellers with percentages in the 99% range that have thousands of non positive feedback. Going by a seller's feedback percentage alone is no good, you have to check each one's profile these days.
heathersthriftyfinds09
OP5 months agoIt just really irks me that I, with nearly 15k positive feedbacks & 100% rating, am lumped into the same category as these sellers 😞 Again, I know better to be more thorough but...3am online shopping via my phone.... Also, when did it become so hard to find a sellers negative feedback? I lost count of how many screens I had to go thru to find them via the app.
bonanza125
·5 months agoYes we hear about the fake tracking scam on a daily basis here. The only way to avoid it is to review feedback given. Deal with sellers who have good feedback and try to avoid international. There really isn't any other clear way.
heathersthriftyfinds09
OP5 months agoAll of these Sellers had above 99% positive feedback and all *showed* as US Sellers on the purchase screen. Normally I try to investigate feedback but, again, this was a late night purchase via the app & I didn't complete my due diligence.
My biggest issue here is: why are they still allowed to sell if they are repeatedly using fake tracking? Why isn't eBay doing something about this?
kensgiftshop
·5 months agoThose sellers are dropshipping, probably from Amazon, Walmart or Chewy.
heathersthriftyfinds09
OP5 months agoI realize that. I am curious though, how they are providing the item at a cheaper rate than if I went to those sites myself? I always check when a package arrives from another site to do a price comparison. Usually, if it's Amazon, I paid more but if it's Walmart or Chewy it's cheaper than if I bought there myself so, what are these sellers doing to get lower rates?
kensgiftshop
·5 months agoThe sites could have changed their prices, but the seller didn't.
Some use stolen credit cards, so it doesn't cost them anything.