Do NOT use ebay shipping!!! Lesson learned

[dkaimone]

I could have subtitled this "customer service is dead".

I shipped a purchase to a buyer in Chicago requiring a signature.  FEDEX in Chicago apparently often just leaves a door tag and doesn't even ring the doorbell.  Customer would like the shipment held at a local FEDEX dealership.  FEDEX says they can't do that unless eBay initiates the request.  No one at ebay will talk to me since we're still attempting deliveries with the same outcome, not even an eBay callback (lost in the round and round of useless menu options).  So this package is in a futile delivery loop.

At some point the buyer will be able to report it not delivered, and I assume the package will be returned to me and I will reship on my own.

In fact, lesson learned: all of this could have been avoided if I had shipped the package independently of eBay, because I could have implemented the hold for pickup at a nearby FEDEX location.

Both FEDEX and EBAY have gone WAY downhill as far as customer service over the past 8 or so years.  They took over $100 in commission for selling this product, but provide absolutely ZERO customer service.

[lakefor94]

No one at eBay is going to be able to sort this out for you. The seller chooses the carrier. 

If your buyer is not going to be at home, then they need to fill out the door tag to make arrangements to receive their shipment. 

I agree that you would have more control if you used your personal FedEx account.  

You will probably receive more advice. Keep this thread updated for the best suggestions. (you won't get them contacting eBay)

[tobaccocardyahoo]

FEDEX Ground/Home uses independent contractors to deliver. Performance is uneven throughout the country based on the quality of the contractor in the area and his hiring and performance standards.

The only motivation to use this service is price. When you make your decision based on price, you need to know what, if anything, you are giving up when you choose it.

Similarly, when you use Ebay's discounted UPS or FEDEX rates you have less control of your shipments than if you were using your own account with the carrier.

As Click and Clack on Car Talk used to say "The stingy man pays the most". Not always true, but often true.

[kensgiftshop]

I don't know much about FedEx, but can't the buyer go there and pick up the package?

[slati_2013]

I ship almost everything through the USPS via eBay. Never had an issue. However any time I ship using UPS, I ship with my personal account in order to have control over the shipment. Also if the buyer is never going to be home for FedEx, he is never going to be home for any other service. The USPS has a service which I use where they have my signature on file and I can tell them to leave the package at my door using my signature on file. 

[johnschuricht · Accepted solution]

I have run into this a few times. There is a restriction that Fedex allows and Ebay uses if you have signature confirmation. I am guessing this was the $850 item you sold which is above the $750 Ebay requirement for signature confirmation. I have lived in a few states and Fedex typically sprints to the door with a door tag so even if you are home, they are gone before you get to the door.

The problem is Ebay uses the direct signature option so the buyer is required to sign with with Fedex present and cannot sign the back of the door tag or use any other method to release the package for delivery. The second problem is Ebay places a restriction on Fedex packages preventing the buyer from redirecting the package to a pickup location or picking up the package from Fedex directly.

The end result is there is nothing the buyer can do to get the package from Fedex and the package is returned to the seller. The seller is unable to remove the restrictions because Ebay is the shipper and good luck getting Ebay to remove the restrictions.

The package will show return to sender after 3 failed delivery attempts. Ebay favors the seller if you upload a tracking number however, Ebay also tells the buyer they are covered if they file a claim with PayPal or their credit card since refused delivery is covered there. In the end, the seller will get the item back and if the buyer does the right claim, the buyer gets a full refund including shipping and the seller will eat the shipping cost both ways.