Should I open Item Not Received case at this point?

[genao1957]

Here we go again. I just received a refund from another 'item not received' case and now I'm dealing with a similar situation.

Purchased an item on June 26th and paid immediately. This is a Chinese seller who had a feedback of 79 100% at the time of purchase. It has now been 2 weeks since I paid and the item has not been shipped. I have emailed the seller 3 times within these 2 weeks and have not received a single reply. Funny thing is, since I've placed my order, this seller has received 3 more positive feedbacks for the item I ordered. So not all hope is lost. I just don't understand why the seller doesn't communicate. The delivery date is estimated to be by September 10th. Should I give it more time or open a case with eBay?

[myangelandmyprincess]

You can't open a case with eBay

until September 11th

[genao1957]

Did not realize that. Why does eBay state that it looks like my item is on its way when no tracking # has been added and it hasn't been marked as shipped.

[femmefan1946]

If the seller does not make a shipping label through eBay, any tracking information would not be uploaded.

It would have to be done manually.

And international tracked services are very expensive. From here in Canada the lowest cost for tracked shipping to the US is $14.42 -- for  a package under 100 grams- which I think is less than four ounces.

In my 35-odd years in mail order, it takes an easy 30 days for anything to arrive from overseas by Air Mail.

And if the seller chose Surface shipping that becomes up to three months.

If eBay gave you September 11 as the last estimated delivery date, the seller almost certainly is using slooooooow but cheap Surface shipping.

Add to that the huge increase in online shipping while people around the world are sequestered to help slow down infections during the pandemic.  Canada Post tells us that they have shipping at three to six times Christmas levels.

So.

If you really can't wait, you can open an Item Not Received Dispute through your Paypal account for 180 days from your payment.

And.

In future, look at the Shipping and Handling times you are given on the Shipping page, BEFORE  you pay.

Most Chinese sellers are just as honest as any US or European seller, but they are working under the same constraints as all of us. Fewer flights, overwhelmed postal systems, backlogs at the trucking company.

[soh.maryl]

Presumably, you saw that estimated delivery date of Sept. 10th when you placed the order.

It apparently was okay with you, or you would not have placed the order, right?

The fact that the item either has not been shipped or does not have tracking is basically irrelevant.

He is not required to ship immediately, nor is he required to respond to your messages.

As others have reported, you cannot possibly open any kind of a case with eBay til your item is late.

You need to relax and await your order.  While waiting, how about reading eBay's Money Back Guarantee for buyers?

[genao1957]

eBay has packing&handling times. The seller said he ships within 3 days. I don't mind waiting, it's the lack of communication that makes the experience uneasy. Why would you not answer your customers questions and concerns?  It's simply ignorance on the seller's part.

[candd205]

I mailed an item from here in the US. It didn't show tracking for 5 days, then first tracking was 3 states away. Would be slower from overseas, especially with the virus situation. If you can be patient, do that. If you can't wait, then you can file an item not received case after the last expected delivery date.

[genao1957]

Again, I don't mind waiting. I would just like some sort of communication. A quick 'yes your order has been shipped' or 'sorry there is a delay' would suffice.

[candd205 · Accepted solution]

They might not speak English or English could be their second language. 

Whatever you do, don't let the timing go past 30 days from expected delivery date or you lose your ability to file an item not received case through ebay, although you still could through Paypal or your credit card.

[femmefan1946]

Google Translate.

Send the seller your questions in English and Chinese using Google Translate to change languages.

If he responds in Chinese, you can use Google Translate to change his response to English.

Of a sort, but it's better than nothing.

[genao1957]

I just noticed the seller is registered in Australia, but the item is shipping out of China. Drop shipper? We'll see what happens.