eBay

kimber_rose · ‎06-17-2024

I’ll try to keep this brief.

I bid on a small bundle of used fragrances. Each bottle is very small and are .5 oz/15 ml each. 1 is half full, the other a 1/4 full the 3rd is almost empty.
One fragrance is very hard to find and since it’s the half full bottle I went for it.
The shipping was $22 and almost as much as the items.
Before bidding I looked at feedback, seller location and selected shipping. Shipping indicated “standard shipping outside of US.” I’m also a seller and I charge a flat rate to my buyers based on weight and I have a default of “standard shipping” on my listings which I update with ground shipping and tracking after sale.

After I paid and it processed I noticed the seller marked it shipped. Great! Then I received no tracking.
okay, maybe they made the label and hadn’t uploaded the tracking, I use pirate ship so maybe they use a third party label company as well.
I message the seller.
She informs me postage with tracking would have cost $25 and would have needed to be requested ( no mention of this anywhere in listing) she then sends me a $3 refund.
She types “I hope it arrives soon”

Going off experience being a fragrance seller myself, I know the package will weigh no more than 8 oz. I know shipping from Canada will cost more but $22 with no tracking?
I did some digging and this seller hides the “must request tracked shipping” in their info section on profile.

What is standard shipping? Is it eBay’s global program? Is it Canadian post?
Has anyone every shipped without tracking?
also I’m wondering if I was totally ripped off tracking wise. My Canadian fragrance friends tell me small parcels with tracking would be around $10-$15.

pjcdn2005 · ‎06-17-2024

Standard shipping from outside of the US isn't a particular service, it is just a term that international sellers can use to describe when they are shipping from another country.

Of the package doesn't have tracking they probably went to the post office and purchased a label for small packet USA. The retail cost for that can be from $12 - $22 depending on the weight. But some sellers also include the cost of the packaging and ebay fees in the shipping and handling cost since those are all 'real' costs. Assuming the package was around 10 oz, if the seller had purchased a Canada Post Tracked Packet USA label on eBay it would have been quite a bit less than the $22 . They may not be aware of that or may not have a printer. Either way, the shipping cost was on the listing so you would have been aware of it when you made the purchase.

The discount for Tracked Packet on eBay as been around for a few months but at one time small packet was quite a bit less expensive than Tracked Packet so as I mentioned earlier, they may not be aware of the savings for the tracked service. Over the past few years I have sent out tons of packages to the US without tracking and rarely had any problems with it. I do use tracking now because it is a lot more affordable than it used to be.

tobaccocardyahoo · ‎06-17-2024

Used fragrances may not be sold on Ebay.

There are also potential issues with hazardous materials restrictions by carriers.

Nothing about this transaction points to this being a successful transaction.

kensgiftshop · ‎06-17-2024

@tobaccocardyahoo wrote:
Used fragrances may not be sold on Ebay.

You can, but has to be listed in a certain category.

Have a great day.

kathiec · ‎06-17-2024

If they were using USPS their regulations prohibit shipping perfume by air.

And I will admit to being bumfuzzled at the angst over tracking. Tracking is for the seller's benefit. If the buyer doesn't receive the package by the day after the last estimated delivery date they can open a case for a refund.