report drop shipper?

[jack_bucks_ghost]

I'm not sure what to do here (newbie indecisiveness, I guess--I'm finally winding down on my three month probationary selling period).  I received an item today that I think qualifies as a drop shipment: it came as an Amazon gift in an Amazon package.  Assuming this is a drop shipment, are we as ebayers expected or encouraged to report such?  I'm not trying to cause anybody problems, but it seems like integrity is vital to making this work for buyers and sellers...I've already had to deal with a scammer trying to purchase from me.  I'm not sure of the ethics with drop shipping, but it is against the rules, so it must have some negative effect on honest shippers and buyers.  And it seems some degree of self-policing is important in a setting like this--but there's a fine line between that and vigilantism, and I want to stay aware of that line.  Thoughts? Reactions? Encouragement? 

[bonjourami]

Drop shipping is not against the rules, but certainly a seller using Amazons prime to ship is..both with Ebay and Amazon.

[loveyourimagination49]

 

[jack_bucks_ghost]

Thank you both for your input--especially in clarifying my misunderstanding of what policy allows and what it doesn't...very much appreciated.

[buyselljack2016]

Thought.

If I get what I wanted, in the specified time, for the amount that I paid for it, I don't care. 

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

You don’t care if unethical sellers break the rules? That they get an unfair advantage over sellers who DO follow the rules? Is it ok if those sellers annoy a lot of buyers who are not you, because of their business policies? if they cancel orders and disappoint buyers because they cannot control their inventory source?

You’re ok with sellers who steal from Amazon Prime, again getting an unfair advantage over honest sellers?

When is it ok to break the rules? Are you ok with petty theft? What if someone steals from sick old people?

[jack_bucks_ghost]

absolutely--that thought is one of my hesitation.  The seller has some dings over shipping issues, but generally high feedback scores...and I have no personal complaints...it's definitely an important consideration you bring up...thanks.

[jack_bucks_ghost]

Just to help me understand better, could I ask how it hurts others sellers (not questioning whether or not it does--I just don't know since i'm a very small seller usually selling specific collectibles[baseball and basketball cards]).  Thanks.

[buyselljack2016]

If I get what I wanted, in the specified time, for the amount that I paid for it, I don't care.

Not saying right, or wrong. Just not my job to correct/police all suspected/perceived world crimes.

If they disappoint buyers with cancellations it will catch up with them.

Using Amazon Prime is Amazons problem.

Don't stretch it out by applying it to things that it does not apply to. What does drop shipping have to do with stealing from sick old people?

[pburn]

Well, I'm an Amazon Prime member, so it's kinda like stealing from me. Plus, I'm old, and I have a headache this evening, so there you go. I've covered all the criteria. [Insert "just kidding" smiley emoji here.]

[tulen_2000]

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@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

You’re ok with sellers who steal from Amazon Prime, again getting an unfair advantage over honest sellers?

When is it ok to break the rules?

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It doesn't break any rules. Neither Ebay's nor Amazon's. How is it stealing from amazon prime? Stealing what? What kind of advantage is it? Amazon does allow selling stuff from their warehouses anywhere. They are making money on it. Seller pays amazon for shipping and handling. They also charge an extra fee on orders sold out of Amazon.

[pburn]

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@tulen_2000 wrote:

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It doesn't break any rules. Neither Ebay's nor Amazon's. How is it stealing from amazon prime? Stealing what? What kind of advantage is it? Amazon does allow selling stuff from their warehouses anywhere. They are making money on it. Seller pays amazon for shipping and handling. They also charge an extra fee on orders sold out of Amazon.

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The OP posted, " I received an item today that I think qualifies as a drop shipment: it came as an Amazon gift in an Amazon package."

If an Amazon package is shipped with a gift receipt, it means the sender used their personal Amazon Prime account, not "Fulfillment by Amazon" accounts. Using Amazon Prime account holders are prohibited from using their accounts for drop-shipping:

From the Amazon Prime Terms 

"Prime members are not permitted to purchase products for the purpose of resale, rental, or to ship to their customers or potential customers using Prime benefits."

eBay prohibits the purchase of goods on another platform for shipping to buyers, as well.

Drop shipping 

" . . . listing an item on eBay and then purchasing the item from another retailer or marketplace that ships directly to your customer is not allowed on eBay."

You might want to read up on the statements you've make in your post. Not to put too fine a point on it, but not one of them is correct.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Thank you pburn. I guess I’m old too. I just don’t get this “stealing and breaking the rules is ok if I get what I want” attitude.

when sellers cheat and use prime, they can charge buyers the same and pocket the shipping money. There days that fraud can add up to $10 an order pretty easily. Where do you think that shipping money comes from? People who pay for Prime. Nothing in life is free. It is theft of services. If the seller will steal from them, they won’t think twice about ripping off you. it’s an ethics thing.

[inhawaii]

I'm with Jack on this one. 

As long as i get what i ordered in a timely manner, i don't care if it came from Amazon or Timbuktu. 

Life's too short.  I have other issues to deal with.

I hope that doesn't make me a bad person.   

Have a great day!

[threshold.sales.group]

OP, as a new seller best just to stick to focusing on your own business. Plenty of land mines out there for sellers and no need to go searching out trouble. Amazon & eBay both police their sellers and can spot a drop shipment before it arrived at your door. Likely they both allow a little slack to not snare innocent folks and cause c-s hassles, but I can guarantee your person is on the radar screen(s).