Changing or Removing Tracking Numbers while Return Case is Open

[krazzykats]

How Do You Change Tracking Number In System? - The eBay Community

I just had a seller remove a tracking number (obviously a space holder only) after I opened a not received case. 

It's been almost 30 days, and I can elect to have eBay step in on Tuesday.

I have been obsessing about the item, as I wanted to use it during the holidays, but now one of the holidays has passed.

I followed tracking up to and received at the USPS Saint Louis distribution center, then it sat there since the 20th of November with no further scans or updates. 

I opened a case, and then the tracking # was removed.

So not only can someone edit tracking#'s, they can remove them if purchased offline as well.  I'm of the belief that this very large seller knew how to edit out that tracking# while the case is open. 

I don't know what the end game is, does it delay a defect, a case, or what?

As you can see, no tracking#.  It was there yesterday and edited out within the past 24 hours.

[pjcdn2005]

I would think that not having tracking would be in your favor with an item not received case.  It doesn't make sense to me why a seller would remove it.

The only benefit to a seller that I can think of is if they plan on entering a tracking number that shows delivered to the same zip code that you are in but I would think that they would have done that immediately.

[krazzykats]

I couldn't figure out the benefit to the seller.  Is a late shipment defect worse than an NR defect? 

I watched that tracking# since the day it was issued.  It only tracked to the distribution center, then nothing since the 20th.  Now the tracking# has been removed from the purchase record.

What a big waste of time.  It wasn't even about the money as much as I had plans to do some cooking from it.  I'll go find another, I guess...:)