Why does ebay allow media mail service to be used for unauthorized items?
I wanted to buy these charger adapters but since media mail is the only service offered, I can't.
The seller sent me a special offer, so I sent them a message letting them know they cant be shipped via media mail service. I Never heard back from them.
I'm curious, how much more would GA actually cost? Is this worth the risk plus lost sales, like myself?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/356557061017
Media mail service should not even be an option in categories it doesn't apply to. This creates problems for buyers when the item shows up with postage due. I wish ebay would do more to try to correct this from happening, and take some action against sellers abusing media mail.
I
14 comments
monica-sells
·1 year agoCategory, Title, whatever....it doesn't matter...
Any seller can utilize any outside shipping service to obtain a media mail label...
easy, peasy
it ain't right, but it is easy to do
you are not restricted to ebay shipping labels, and ebay tries to limit the unauthorized implementation of media mail.....
a*river*runs*through*it
·1 year agoEvery item I looked at is shipping Media Mail.
simba6
·1 year agoUSPS looks in most media mail packages anyway and bills the shipper.
campanaelia
OP1 year agoThey never bill the shipper with media mail fraud.
Since media mail fraud is detected by employees, not machines, they are delivered with postage due. I've never once seen it billed to the shipper
pikabo-icu
·1 year agoWhile it's true it shouldn't be an option, I believe the shipping includes all options for all listings and can't be customized.
The other thing is SOME sellers would still manipulate the system and list in the wrong category.
eBay can't micromanage a sellers shipping to that degree and relies on sellers following the rules and in that case the LAW regarding shipping.
The USPS does indeed catch this and takes appropriate action.
I had a seller ship me a huge box with a CD in it to also ship me what I purchased which was a box for some designer shoes. Shipping that cost about $2.00 doing it legally would have been $12+. I wasn't happy about it. But technically they could claim the double boxed the cheap cd. SIGH.
People abuse the system..
campanaelia
OP1 year agoSo can you tell me what category this item is posted in? Is it in the wrong category?
I could not find it.
pikabo-icu
·1 year agoSorry for the confusion.
I didn't mean the item you are referring to was in the wrong category.
I was simply saying that IF eBay did try limiting the shipping choices SOME sellers would manipulate the system and list it in the wrong category to ship it media mail.
campanaelia
OP1 year agook, but can you tell me what category it is in anyway?
I can't find it
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoIt's listed under Laptop Power Adapters which Media Mail shouldn't even be an option.
The categories are still there, they just moved them below all the sponsored ads at the bottom of the page.
pikabo-icu
·1 year ago@kensgiftshop
Sorry I was posting at the same time. ðŸ˜
pikabo-icu
·1 year ago@campanaelia
They moved it to the VERY bottom of the page..
SIGH Brilliant idea /sarcasm
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoChina explains it.
Seems like they can do whatever they want.
campanaelia
OP1 year agoI've had this problem with US sellers too. I've paid for priority mail and GA service with US sellers and they shipped electronics with media mail. They always show up with postage due which creates a bigger headache
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoYa, it's a big problem.
They can block eligible items because they are listed in a different category, but they can't block categories that don't qualify.
When you receive one with postage due, refuse the package and file an INR.