Misrepresenting the location, and subsequently enjoying a 21-day delivery window ?

[elpbeautysupply]

Hello eBay Customer Service,

I hope this message reaches you well. It's with great concern that I bring to your attention an issue affecting the integrity of the eBay marketplace, specifically related to dishonest shipping practices that are detrimental to both buyers and honest sellers.

We have observed a pattern where certain sellers, though appearing as local, are exploiting a loophole by registering as foreign-based companies. This allows them to list items as local, misrepresenting the location, and subsequently enjoying a 21-day delivery window—well beyond eBay's  local expected  3 days for handling and 7 days for delivery.

This deceitful tactic not only misguides buyers who rightfully expect timely deliveries from local sellers but also creates an unfair advantage for those sellers who are genuinely based in China. The honest China-based sellers, who diligently list their items from China, find themselves at a disadvantage due to these unscrupulous practices.

Furthermore, the issue is exacerbated by the fact that the individuals corresponding with buyers seem to be based in China, evident from response times aligning with China's business hours rather than those of the United States.

We urgently request eBay Customer Service to intervene and address this dishonest practice. It not only compromises the trust of buyers but also unfairly impacts sellers who play by the rules. By ensuring consistent and transparent policies for all sellers, regardless of their location, we can maintain the integrity of the eBay marketplace.

Your swift attention to this matter is highly appreciated. We anticipate your intervention to rectify this situation and uphold the principles of fairness and transparency.

[ebooksdiva]

This isn’t eBay customer service. This forum is a community of eBay buyers and sellers who volunteer our time to:assist others. 
We can’t do anything about your concern. 
Many of those sellers are drop shipping. 
If you see something that isn’t right you can click “Report this Listing “. It’s found in every listing on eBay. 

[klhmdg]

eBay is not here.

eBay CS is not here and CS can not intervene.

I have never heard eBay expects 3 day handling or 7 day delivery.

As long as the seller has the correct handling times from where they are shipping, it is OK.

Buyers can always see estimated delivery dates before purchase and can choose not to buy.

Buyers can also choose not to buy from sellers based in any country. 

[martin2001]

What the others are saying is true but I agree with you. I just purchased something from a seller "located" in wyoming. I don't have a problem with the stated date (per ebay) of delivery (i.e. do not need it urgently). After a few days, out of curiosity I checked their location as there was no news about mailing the order and noticed they are a member in one of the Asian countries (not China). I don't mind that but it does leave a little bit of unease about the system. I understand drop-shipping etc etc however people want to make some money, but my understanding is, if the seller is located in wyoming, it should be mailed from wyoming, which was not, as I got  a tracking number today which is obviously from a foreign carrier.

Also, their feedback is not quite consistently outstanding, I would say, contrary to ebay evaluation. (I saw it before the purchase, so it is not like I am complaining, just pointing out, that a seller with 0 negatives and 0 neutrals, is no better than this seller)

• One of eBay's most reputable sellers.
• Consistently delivers outstanding customer service."

[soh.maryl]

Every eBay listing includes an estimated delivery date.  Regardless of where the item is coming from, that is very important information since a buyer sees that date and can move on to another listing or seller if that date is not satisfactory for his needs.  

eBay's Money Back Guarantee is quite good at covering the problem if your item does not arrive within a day or two of that date, again, regardless of whether it's coming from two towns over or from the moon.

Not sure I understand the issue.

eBay does not have the personnel or the facility to examine every single listing for its reliability.  That would be the reason they offer the MBG.  

[12345jamesstamps]

I agree with you.

A lot of posts here don't quite get what the problem is.

Drop shipping is a big problem. The "return an item not as described" is a big problem when the buyer assumes he can return the item back to someone in the USA but it's actually China. Since returning something the seller can only send a return label by sending money by Pay Pal? or whatever. The return process is hard if a buyer and seller both do not have Pay Pal or whatever to send and receive.

And freight forward for a seller from USA to China or other countries for a buyer to return something can be something else to worry about.

And "feedback" should also be noted for sellers by the buyers...due to delays in shipments.

And then getting charged extra because buyer is using another country credit card and seller didn't know it would be "freight forward".

I always hear the excuse seller moved from USA to China(or whatever country) and is still using an USA account and address. It's like the "Wild Wild West" with drop shipping. Sorry for my rants.

[lacemaker3]

eBay does not have any standards for handling or delivery time for USA-based sellers, except that the seller is expected to comply with whatever they have said they would do in their listing.

If the buyer has to pay for the return shipping, then the seller is required to provide a return shipping address in the same country where the item was located, according to the listing. If they don't do this, then the buyer can contact eBay to get help with the return.

For sellers based outside the USA, (especially those in SEA, or Southeast Asia, but other sellers have also reported this) they are allowed to use Forward-Deployed Inventory, as long as the warehouse/shipping service meets eBay's standards for delivery time and reliability (see the policy below). This means that non-USA sellers are allowed to list items with a USA location that they have shipped to a warehouse in the USA (or other local regions, such as Europe). There are other pages similar to this one on some of the foreign eBay websites.

https://ebayseasandbox.com/warehouse-service-standard-for-forward-deployed-inventory/

Forward Deployed Inventory is not the same as drop shipping, and it is specifically allowed for non-USA sellers because eBay has a policy that sets out requirements for it.