Can I use my own Fedex account to ship through eBay?

[nc-daydreamer]

As a seller - yes as long as you get tracking on the package for your own protection. As a buyer, no; the seller is the one who decides how a package is shipped. 

[a_c_green]

Bad idea. The main problem is that a buyer can file a redirection request to a different address, then file an Item Not Received dispute because it never showed up at the address accompanying the payment, and you will lose.

It's a popular scam, but eBay keeps it in check (as far as FedEx shipments are concerned) by a special agreement with FedEx that no shipments made on their specific account can be redirected by the buyer. Don't use your own account.

P.S. Check out this thread here: 

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping-Returns/PayPal-Fraud-or-FedEx-delivery-issue/m-p/29817408#M28...

...for an incident where a scam buyer managed to bamboozle FedEx into redirecting the shipment, then filed an INR and won (even though he wasn't supposed to be able to do that).

[richard1rst]

In addition to the admonition by a_c_green there is no point to it.

I have periodically gotten a quote directly from FedEx through my own account and compared it to what eBay is charging me. While the numbers are rarely exactly the same the differences are so slight that there is no point to the extra time and effort it takes. I can ship a FedEx package through eBay with substantially less "keyboard" time than by going to FedEx directly.

[no_zero369]

What is the difference between a buyer filing a FedEx redirect and someone having their mail forwarded?  I would think that once a buyer "gets in the process" and changes something that that would void the MBG?  Why isn't this 'policy?'

[no_zero369]

---

@no_zero369 wrote:

What is the difference between a buyer filing a FedEx redirect and someone having their mail forwarded?  I would think that once a buyer "gets in the process" and changes something that that would void the MBG?  Why isn't this 'policy?'

---

Further on this topic of redirecting a delivery, I see eBay's own guidance suggests that a buyer could take this as a course of action - redirect the package.

If the item has been shipped, the seller cannot cancel the transaction. You can contact the shipping carrier and ask if they could deliver the item to the correct address.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Commonly-Asked-Questions/Can-I-change-my-shipping-address-after-I-buy-...

So why is this guidance given if it isn't policy or if eBay isn't going to give a seller protection?  Am I missing something?

@Anonymous 

[Anonymous]

---

@no_zero369 wrote:

---

@no_zero369 wrote:

What is the difference between a buyer filing a FedEx redirect and someone having their mail forwarded?  I would think that once a buyer "gets in the process" and changes something that that would void the MBG?  Why isn't this 'policy?'

---

Further on this topic of redirecting a delivery, I see eBay's own guidance suggests that a buyer could take this as a course of action - redirect the package.

If the item has been shipped, the seller cannot cancel the transaction. You can contact the shipping carrier and ask if they could deliver the item to the correct address.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Commonly-Asked-Questions/Can-I-change-my-shipping-address-after-I-buy-...

So why is this guidance given if it isn't policy or if eBay isn't going to give a seller protection?  Am I missing something?

@Anonymous 

---

Hi @no_zero369, a buyer requesting the package to be redirected is the same as having it forwarded. Items that are forwarded are not covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee. This suggestion is given to a buyer when they have provided the incorrect address because it is the action they would need to take to receive their item. They already are not covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee because they provided the incorrect address - having the package redirected does not pose any additional risk or concern for either the buyer or the seller, it only serves to help them obtain their purchase.

[a_c_green]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi @no_zero369, a buyer requesting the package to be redirected is the same as having it forwarded. Items that are forwarded are not covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee. This suggestion is given to a buyer when they have provided the incorrect address because it is the action they would need to take to receive their item. They already are not covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee because they provided the incorrect address - having the package redirected does not pose any additional risk or concern for either the buyer or the seller, it only serves to help them obtain their purchase.

---

...but in the specific case of FedEx and the case referenced above, @Anonymous, wasn't that exactly what eBay was striving to block, via the special arrangement with FedEx regarding the eBay FedEx account? If I remember right, a laptop buyer in Wilmette, IL managed to get FedEx to redirect the package (before it was delivered) to Peotone, IL, then filed an Item Not Received dispute and (at least initially) won it, because the package was not delivered to the Shipping address on record. 

Okay, I found the quote I was thinking of from you in the resolution of that case: 

"To reiterate, a FedEx shipment using an eBay label should be unable to have the delivery address changed, and we are working with FedEx to make sure that this works as intended. A buyer cannot create an account or contact FedEx to change the delivery address, and any instances where this has happened are not in alignment with our agreement with FedEx."

Ref: https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping-Returns/PayPal-Fraud-or-FedEx-delivery-issue/m-p/29845698#M282217

[no_zero369]

Ok thanks @Anonymous .

So the suggestion to NOT use a personal/business (or non-eBay) FedEx account is spurious?  The main premise being as a way to avoid redirects.   Anytime a package is rerouted by a buyer the seller has met their obligation for 'delivery' and that part of the MBG is void.  Does the buyer still have MBG 'right's' for a SNAD case?

I assume then that the seller, like mis-delivery proved by GPS data,  is going to have to contact CS to have the case resolved in their favor? 

Thanks again for your kind help on these boards!

[Anonymous]

---

@a_c_green wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi @no_zero369, a buyer requesting the package to be redirected is the same as having it forwarded. Items that are forwarded are not covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee. This suggestion is given to a buyer when they have provided the incorrect address because it is the action they would need to take to receive their item. They already are not covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee because they provided the incorrect address - having the package redirected does not pose any additional risk or concern for either the buyer or the seller, it only serves to help them obtain their purchase.

---

...but in the specific case of FedEx and the case referenced above, @Anonymous, wasn't that exactly what eBay was striving to block, via the special arrangement with FedEx regarding the eBay FedEx account? If I remember right, a laptop buyer in Wilmette, IL managed to get FedEx to redirect the package (before it was delivered) to Peotone, IL, then filed an Item Not Received dispute and (at least initially) won it, because the package was not delivered to the Shipping address on record. 

Okay, I found the quote I was thinking of from you in the resolution of that case: 

"To reiterate, a FedEx shipment using an eBay label should be unable to have the delivery address changed, and we are working with FedEx to make sure that this works as intended. A buyer cannot create an account or contact FedEx to change the delivery address, and any instances where this has happened are not in alignment with our agreement with FedEx."

Ref: https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping-Returns/PayPal-Fraud-or-FedEx-delivery-issue/m-p/29845698#M282217

---

Hi @a_c_green, the way our FedEx account is set up does not allow for packages to be redirected if a FedEx label was printed on eBay. The recommendation to see if the delivery address can be changed when a buyer provided the incorrect address is simply the best course of action for these situations, but won't always be possible. If a package is redirected or forwarded by the buyer, they would not be covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee. Any mistakes that may be made in the original case decision would be corrected through the appeal process.

Any situations where a buyer has redirected the FedEx shipment and won an item not received request would have been in error. A seller just needs to appeal the case so we can correct this for them.

[Anonymous]

---

@no_zero369 wrote:

Ok thanks @Anonymous .

So the suggestion to NOT use a personal/business (or non-eBay) FedEx account is spurious?  The main premise being as a way to avoid redirects.   Anytime a package is rerouted by a buyer the seller has met their obligation for 'delivery' and that part of the MBG is void.  Does the buyer still have MBG 'right's' for a SNAD case?

I assume then that the seller, like mis-delivery proved by GPS data,  is going to have to contact CS to have the case resolved in their favor? 

Thanks again for your kind help on these boards!

---

Hi @no_zero369, anytime the buyer takes it upon themselves to redirect a package or have it forwarded, they are no longer covered in any eBay Money Back Guarantee claim (both item not received and return request). Of course a seller is still able to work with their customer as they see fit, and we would still protect a buyer if the buyer and seller come to some sort of agreement that we can see in eBay messages.

Ultimately, the seller is responsible for delivery to the address provided at checkout, but would also be held accountable for any additional agreements they make with the buyer. I do want to be clear that there is a different between a seller instructing the buyer to redirect the package and the seller simply providing this as a suggestion; a seller can recommend options to a buyer without risk of losing protection. I advise clear communication when discussing options with a buyer, something akin to, "We've already shipped the package and aren't able to change the delivery address since we are required to ship to the address provided at checkout. You may be able to have this rerouted on your end if you contact the courier." 

If a seller reroutes the package, they are still responsible for the transaction and the buyer would remain covered through the eBay Money Back Guarantee. The best course of action for all parties involved would be to have the shipment returned to the seller, cancel the transaction, and have the buyer repurchase with the correct address. This ensures the buyer and seller are both protected if an issue arises, through eBay's protection program and any third party protection programs that may apply.

[no_zero369]

@Anonymous  Thanks again for your kind reply and the detailed explanation of this process in this and the prior reply! Greatly appreciate the detailed verbiage a seller could use in a 'wrong address, already shipped' situation!

While I understand that eBay would desire a package be returned to a seller, the order canceled and the item repurchased, such that everyone is eventually "protected," that is not economically feasible with the cost of the USPS Package Intercept Service running $14.10, plus the time required to do such.   Oh sure, IF I am selling a four-figure item, I might provide the customer service and absorb that cost, but on a two or three figure item that digs into profits on a pretty healthy level.   I think sellers will tend to follow your advice on suggesting the buyer try rerouting the package.

Anyway, thanks again for your kind help & advice!

[Anonymous]

---

@no_zero369 wrote:

@Anonymous  Thanks again for your kind reply and the detailed explanation of this process in this and the prior reply! Greatly appreciate the detailed verbiage a seller could use in a 'wrong address, already shipped' situation!

While I understand that eBay would desire a package be returned to a seller, the order canceled and the item repurchased, such that everyone is eventually "protected," that is not economically feasible with the cost of the USPS Package Intercept Service running $14.10, plus the time required to do such.   Oh sure, IF I am selling a four-figure item, I might provide the customer service and absorb that cost, but on a two or three figure item that digs into profits on a pretty healthy level.   I think sellers will tend to follow your advice on suggesting the buyer try rerouting the package.

Anyway, thanks again for your kind help & advice!

---

Hi @no_zero369, totally understandable - there are a lot of things to consider when attempting to resolve an issue like this to mutual benefit. Ultimately, the buyer is responsible for providing the correct address at checkout. Do mistakes happen? Of course. And a seller is encouraged to work with their buyer to resolve the problem in any way they see fit. It may not be feasible to retrieve or redirect the package, at which point the buyer may simply have to try and obtain the item from the address they provided (potentially by contacting the residents of that location if the courier does not have a solution to offer). A buyer may even be willing to pay for the cost of intercepting the package to avoid losing the package altogether, so communicating about options is important when trying to create a win-win resolution with your customer. As long as you ship the item to the address provided at checkout you will be protected, and you are empowered to make any accommodations you feel are appropriate for the specific situation you find yourself in.

[no_zero369]

Thanks again @Anonymous !  This is some good stuff!

I have bookmarked your posts and hope this information get widely viewed, disseminated and used!

Thanks again.