Cellphone that never arrived
I've been an eBay buyer since 2008 with zero disputes — until now.
On March 31, I purchased a phone for $284.99 from seller ELECTRODEALZ INC. On April 2, UPS tracking updated to "delivered" with the signature "ONFILE" — not a real person's signature, but a pre-authorization code UPS uses internally.
I never received the package.
After contacting UPS, they opened an investigation and eventually confirmed in writing that the package was "located/recovered at the center level" — meaning it was never actually delivered to my address. Their own email states: "This status does not necessarily mean that you personally confirmed receipt."
Despite this, eBay denied my claim twice: first because tracking showed "delivered," and second because my address is a freight forwarder. The seller has refused to contact UPS to provide delivery instructions, even after I gave them the phone number and UPS's written confirmation.
So here's where things stand:
- UPS confirmed the package was NOT delivered to me
- The package is physically sitting at a UPS facility
- The seller refuses to act
- eBay won't reopen the case
- I'm out $284.99
Has anyone dealt with something similar? Any advice on next steps beyond a bank chargeback would be appreciated. I'm sharing this so other buyers are aware of how this situation can play out — especially if you use a freight forwarder address.
kensgiftshop
·4 months ago@new_rasspot
If UPS says they have the package, why don't they deliver it to the freight forwarder?
Using a freight forwarder voids your MBG once the item is forwarded.
new_rasspot
OP4 months agoI dont know
This is the last message from ups
Thank you for reaching out. We understand your concerns and appreciate the opportunity to clarify the status of your claim.
Based on our system records, the investigation was closed under the status Recipient Acknowledges Receipt (CAR). This status was applied following confirmation from the UPS operations center, indicating that the package was located/recovered and accounted for at the center level. As a result, the claim was closed as confirmed by the center.
Please note that this status does not necessarily mean that you personally confirmed receipt via email or an application. Rather, it reflects an internal operational confirmation that the shipment was secured during the investigation.
Since the package is currently marked as recovered, any further action or delivery instructions must be provided by the sender (shipper), who is the authorized party to coordinate next steps with UPS. We recommend contacting the sender to avoid any misunderstanding regarding delivery status.