Using 3rd Party Shipping Hubs to Bypass Shipping in the US Only

[ravenholt1139]

Hello everyone, this is a new one for me, so I thought I'd ask.

For my Auctions, I have made sure to limit my shipping to the Continental US Only, and I've done this via the Auction Description itself, and also within the Shipping Parameters, set up via Ebay, when making the listing. 

What I have found recently, is that I have had some auctions that have the strangest shipping addresses. When checked these addresses are coming back to International Shipping Hubs.

One of my Auction sales ended up going to the UK, where they wanted to make a claim of damages between the Hub location, and the UK. The buyer acct. is listed in the US.

Another ended up heading to South America (same as the other, acct. is listed as a US acct.), where they did file a claim of Non-Delivery, and won. Mind you this was despite the USPS verifying it was delivered to the Hub and an Agent there. Granted it was $36, so thankfully I came off light.

I was curious to see if this is a common practice now, and if so, does anyone have suggestions to better protect ourselves as sellers? 

I ship within the Continental US because it's just far easier, and safer in my opinion. But after these two incidents, I'm definitely trying to be more careful now. 

Thanks in advance!

[ravenholt1139]

In the Case of the UK situation, the re-shipper verified the item was not damaged when they sent it to the UK, so thankfully IMO I am not responsible, and Ebay advised the same, thankfully.

In the case of the South American shipped item, I did provide the tracking and it showed delivered to the re-shipper. Ebay suggested I use 'Signature Delivery' from now on, which I will take as a learning experience. However, I'd like to find a way to just avoid having to deal with re-shippers, hubs etc. Especially since I am only responsible (least that I can find) for the actual shipping address, which was in fact in the US.

[ravenholt1139]

Thanks, I will definitely keep that in mind.

[ravenholt1139]

I did provide the tracking, Ebay advised it was not enough. As to return lables, I did not have any. The seller just advised it did not arrive, I was asked for tracking, I provided it, and they refunded the seller after 5 days. This is an entirely new sitch for me, so I am learning as I go here. I've had 300+ sales, and this is literally the first of it's kind, to go this way.

[ravenholt1139]

The shipping was purchases via USPS in person, at a branch. It was supplied to Ebay, with a copy of the receipt as well. I had also updated it via the sale as well, the day it went out.

[ravenholt1139]

This being the case, where does our responsibility end as sellers? To the listed address of sale, being the re-shipper, or the actual end of the road, the international destination? Forgive my ignorance, cause believe me, I am. I am taking everything you all are sharing, and following up as to best educate myself for the future. So thank you, again. All of you are a great help.

[this*old*attic]

Responsibility is supposed to end at the reshipper, but every once in a while someone ends up stuck with a different bar to meet. No clue if the seller responded incorrectly to a buyer claim or Ebay inconsistently follows its own rules. I miss my international buyers - shipping costs seem to have killed vintage clothing sales unless it’s a spectacularly rare or iconic item. If you’ve made 300+ sales, have pretty frequent international buyers, and this is a first or a one-off…your increased profits likely cover the rare loss.

[dhbookds]

In the case of the South American shipped item, I did provide the tracking and it showed delivered to the re-shipper. Ebay suggested I use 'Signature Delivery' from now on, which I will take as a learning experience.

I'm guessing that the item price was not $750?  If so, I would appeal the case.......since you have tracking that shows it delivered which should be enough as it was for the UK......  There is no ebay requirement for sigs for less than that......

[stephenmorgan]

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@ravenholt1139 wrote:

However, I'd like to find a way to just avoid having to deal with re-shippers, hubs etc. Especially since I am only responsible (least that I can find) for the actual shipping address, which was in fact in the US.

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No full proof way of doing this.  Looking at your transaction details is one way to tell that the item may be an international shipment.  Being delivered to a re-shipper address and you have a international fee on you transaction details, then the item is most likely leaving the country.

[ravenholt1139]

Thank you all so much, you've been a true help! I truly appreciate all the insight, and suggestions as well. I admit, I feel a lot better about the deal now, but will also make sure to be extra careful. Thanks again all!

[antiquesmugglers]

Don't allow overseas shipping. Ebay tries to lock you into overseas without your knowledge and you can get screwed ...OH YES we did too... they say they take care of all returns and claims however that is not without docking your account for the returns without your pushing any buttons whatsoever. You can bow out of that program however, and I strongly suggest everybody does. Even if you personally send it overseas you are still unable to print return shipping labels for the return back which again defaults to the claimant account and your docked for that as well. 20yr experience on ebay - Antiquesmugglers

[antiquesmugglers]

even if you ship within the U.S. via UPS. your items get shipped using ebays shipping account/tracking numbers, which technically does not allow you to file a claim as it is up to ebay to prove it was shipped and you can not file a claim using their tracking numbers.!

[kh-phdan]

Hello Everyone,

Due to the age of the thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue discussing this topic.

Thanks for understanding!