eBay

goldguy22k · ‎10-03-2018

Yeah, I know - buyers are NOT REQUIRED to ship with tracking numbers.

Got the email from ebay - item shipped. Purchase history record does not show a tracking number. Looked all over the record.

But what is this dude doing? Shipping without one, or not uploading one. Doesn't he know that is a INR waiting to happen and "free stuff" for some buyer? (not anything I would do)

SMH.

Well, I'll wait until the last day of eBay's projected delivery date and see what happens. I suspect it will show up and seller is keeping costs down and passing those on to me.

Just noting this as "interesting." Don't need no "help!" per se

mudshark61369 · ‎10-04-2018

@goldguy22k,

If you know that tracking is not a requirement, why the question or topic? Have you looked at the seller's feedback profile? It's possible they have just started selling or haven't sold in a long time. If they're new they may have shipped with tracking but did not upload it. If they are brand new, they may have run into Paypal's 21 day payment hold, and marked the item as shipped, hoping to stall the system until your payment "clears". If that's the case, help them out about the PayPal hold, or ask if they did ship with tracking. After all new sellers have a much tougher time getting started these days than they did even 5 years ago.

"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FOOLPROOF, BECAUSE FOOLS ARE SO DARNED INGENIOUS!" (unknown)

nobody*s_perfect · ‎10-04-2018

@goldguy22k wrote:
... I suspect it will show up and seller is keeping costs down and passing those on to me....

Seller is not keeping costs down, unles you purchased an item that can be mailed as a letter or flat (AKA Large envelope), since all package postage automatically includes tracking at no additional cost.

7606dennis · ‎10-04-2018

"But what is this dude doing?"

It would seem that the dude is relying on the integrity of the buyer. I'm not quite sure that I was ever that trusting of my fellow man. Well, maybe in my early childhood, but not of late.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

goldguy22k · ‎10-04-2018

@mudshark61369 wrote:
@goldguy22k,

If you know that tracking is not a requirement, why the question or topic?
From my original post: SMH.......Just noting this as "interesting."

Have you looked at the seller's feedback profile?
Yes!

It's possible they have just started selling or haven't sold in a long time.
Doesn't appear so. 10,000+ FB score. 592+ in 12 months, 252 in 6-months, 48 in month, DSRs in 494-548 range! Oh wait! Lowest is "item as described!"

Wow! Now think about that. Nearly 100 pts lower IAD score for this seller! Does that mean he/she is dealing with a nearly 20% SNAD rate? Is the fraud level THAT high?

OK, ok, for you mathematicians out there 592-494=98 98/592=16.6%

If they're new they may have shipped with tracking but did not upload it. If they are brand new, they may have run into Paypal's 21 day payment hold, and marked the item as shipped, hoping to stall the system until your payment "clears". If that's the case, help them out about the PayPal hold, or ask if they did ship with tracking. ibid, but good comments on hold & asking.

After all new sellers have a much tougher time getting started these days than they did even 5 years ago.
Yep! I can confirm

missjen831 · ‎10-04-2018

You can’t possibly know his SNAD rate just by looking at his feedback numbers. It’s not uncommon for sellers to make items shipped and not upload the tracking number. I get a few of those every year and the item always arrives on time with a tracker label. In every case the seller paid for shipping at the PO. I doubt your seller with his volume is paying at the PO, more likely he’s getting his labels online elsewhere.

One life is all we have to live
Love is all we have to give

**Formerly known as MissJen316**

goldguy22k · ‎10-04-2018

OK, fair enough. As I asked in aother thread, what is a "typical" SNAD rate?

I suspect it goes by number of listings and/or selling categories. But would be interested in what are the number is whatever breakout is appropriate.

muttlymob · ‎10-04-2018

@goldguy22k wrote:

But what is this dude doing? Shipping without one, or not uploading one. Doesn't he know that is a INR waiting to happen and "free stuff" for some buyer? (not anything I would do)

Maybe the seller knows his category, knows that the risk of false INR is low, and is willing to take that risk. Some sellers actually do a realistic risk evaluation when selling, and determine if it is safe/economical to send without tracking.

I have sent thousands of postcards/paper/photo items without tracking. It's been years since I had a claim of nonreceipt, and the total over the years is in single digits.

@goldguy22k wrote:
suspect it will show up and seller is keeping costs down and passing those on to me.

That is kind of the point of selling. All costs of doing business should be passed on to the buyer.

Did the seller state anywhere in the listing that you would get a tracking number? If not, then what is the problem? Are you buying tracking, or the item?

goldguy22k · ‎10-04-2018

@muttlymob wrote:
Did the seller state anywhere in the listing that you would get a tracking number? If not, then what is the problem? Are you buying tracking, or the item?

Hmmm, did I say there was a problem?

goldguy22k · ‎10-05-2018

OK, a follow up, or "the rest of the story" ! And the "mystery" is over.....

Package arrived today!

Tossed it on my scale - 15.1 oz

Shipped via USPS First Class Mail

NO TRACKING NUMBER!

Shipping label printed by Stamps.com

(does Stamps.com have same USPS rates up to 15.999 oz for 1st Class?)

Poly bag taped to high heaven.

3-color letterhead that packing slip was printed on.

"I" Damaged one item in the cutting it openm process! {sarcastic humour warning!} Oh look! Refund grounds! Because of course, as a buyer, I'm not responsible for my actions (just kidding) Or I could just file a INR on this since it wasn't tracked, but Shoot! I just reported it here.....so now there is "evidence" it was received! GRRRR....can't every get this scam stuff straight! LOL!

Now BEFORE anyone goes off in a conniption fit - just trying to add a little levity or jocularity to the thread for the end of the week! Don't take the SNAD/INR comments literally, they are all in good fun.

Have a great weekend Sellers! May it be prosperous and profitable weekend!

disneyshopper · ‎10-06-2018

@goldguy22k wrote:
OK, a follow up, or "the rest of the story" ! And the "mystery" is over.....

Package arrived today!
Tossed it on my scale - 15.1 oz
Shipped via USPS First Class Mail
NO TRACKING NUMBER!
Shipping label printed by Stamps.com
(does Stamps.com have same USPS rates up to 15.999 oz for 1st Class?)
Poly bag taped to high heaven.
3-color letterhead that packing slip was printed on.

I suspect the item was shipped First Class PACKAGE. Since the label was shipped using Stamps.com, I'm surprised there is no tracking number. I did not know they could do that.

disneyshopper
Volunteer Community Member

goldguy22k · ‎10-06-2018

@disneyshopper wrote:

I suspect the item was shipped First Class PACKAGE. Since the label was shipped using Stamps.com, I'm surprised there is no tracking number. I did not know they could do that.

@disneyshopper

Now that you mentioned that. I looked things up. Commercial 1st class package (CFCP) service appears to be the same as ebay's First Class Rates. So 15 oz of CFCP is 4.66 and up to 15.9999 oz is 4.94. But with ebay labels, they print out with a tracking number.

That said, top of page says:

US POSTAGE & FEES PAID

1-OZ FIRST-CLASS FLATS RATE

RETAIL

Interesting. Guess there is something I don't understand about shipping. How can a vendor supply an item for just under $7, pay nearly $5 in shipping, nearly $0.70 in ebay fees, pay for packing materials and Stamps.com subscription rate? Looks like working on a margin of $1 or less.

Perhaps, I'm missing something? How does this work?

(remember the stats from above: 10,000+ FB score. 592+ in 12 months, 252 in 6-months, 48 in month, DSRs in 494-548 range! )

Disclaimer: I am NOT being critical, do not have a "problem" or problem with this. Just curious and trying to understand, generate some replies from others with different experiences and general discussion.

southern*sweet*tea · ‎10-06-2018

I use stamps.com

Tracking is provided for FCP labels. Tracking is not provided for FC Flats/Large Envelopes. It is an untracked service for things like booklets, catalogs, etc - items that are not rigid and less than 3/4 inch in thickness. (I think I have this right, if not someone will correct me). It is less than FCP to ship, but does not include tracking.

If your item does not fit that criteria, your seller cheated the Post Office.

The easier you are to offend the easier you are to control.

We seem to be getting closer and closer to a situation where nobody is responsible for what they did but we are all responsible for what somebody else did. - Thomas Sowell

goldguy22k · ‎10-06-2018

Hey southern*sweet*tea, thanks for the response.

When I said "top of the Page" says, I should have stated that that was the top of the page of the shipping label.

So yeah, it looks like this was sent via FC Flat. Because the label says:

1-OZ FIRST-CLASS FLATS RATE

Can we do an experienment? (er, you rather than "we") If you enter 15.1 oz into your Stamps.com program, for a FC Flat, what does it show as the cost? Does it print out as 1-OZ?

But if this WAS shipped at 1-OZ, from what I have seen of complaints, how owuld it have missed the USPS checking and not produced a charge back?

Oh well, I'm still llearning