Selective Enforcement of Tracking Rule

[soccerdude3232]

Why does ebay let so many sellers ship without tracking, but then tells me and lists shipping as a requirement?  This allows them to sell by creating a competitive advantage in costs.  When I called ebay to discuss, the rep told me he would put a note in the file.  In other words, nothing would happen.  However, when I asked the rep whether I was allowed to do the same thing, he said "no".

The fact is that I dont mind if tracking is optional, so long as the seller understands the risk and the buyer knows that no tracking will apply before the purchase is made.  But it is unfair to require some to do it,  but not others.

PS - there are many sellers of sports cards that do the same thing, and ebay simply doesnt enforce the tracking rule in some cases.  

[soccerdude3232]

Understood and appreciate your comments and insight. 

[soccerdude3232]

Ahhhhhh, second account. I like that.  Use my prime account to achieve perfect or near perfect ratings, and then sell all my common and low cost sports cards via an alternate account with no tracking.  Very interesting. Thank you.

[fab_finds4u]

eBay says one of the minimum requirements for Top Rated Seller is tracking uploaded within your stated handling time, and carrier validation for 95% of transactions to US buyers.

That tells you right there you can ship without tracking.   The percentage of your items you ship without tracking will determine your seller performance. 

Some buyers take advantage of sellers that ship with no proof of delivery.  No tracking means FREE MERCHANDISE.   I've seen buyers in here fight tooth and nail and spend a ridiculous amount of time and effort on a 99 cent  item they didn't  receive.  Just be aware.  

[dtexley3]

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@no_zero369 wrote:

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@eaux-de-vie wrote:

I agree, I have some light cards and stuff I would like to ship in an envelope and sell cheap but the one time the PO did not update tracking fast enough (and it was an eBay glitch, Customer paid overnight, I printed label in the morning and USPS Picked up and SCANNED 1.5 hours after printed, not fast enough for eBay) I had a demerit that sat there for 3 months. SO although they do not require it, that just means you can do it, but I still got a ding even WITH tracking! Things like trading cards and stamps should have an exemption, things that can be shipped with a regular stamp or two in small envelope. 

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@eaux-de-vie 

Something in blue above does not make sense.  Can you help me understand?  Even if you had same day shipping on the listing, getting the label printed and scanned the next day should have met the requirement for handling time and avoid any account 'ding' for late shipping.  So not sure what kind of 'ding' you got.  Did you call CS and what did they say?

An exemption for tracking is fine as long as there is no Item Not Received claim possible.  The whole point of tracking is to prove your item was delivered so that you don't have to issue a refund when the buyer claims - I never got it!  So how would an exemption work?  No INR possible or just assume scammers wouldn't rush to 'exempt' items and claim INR for every purchase?

Anyone is free or allowed to ship with no tracking with eBay at anytime these days, no exemption needed. A seller just needs to understand that with no proof of delivery, they will loose an INR case flat out.

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eBay is on West coast time.  If the seller is on the east coast, same day or even 1 day shipping can be near impossible when the order comes in between 12 and 3AM eastern which is before midnight on the west coast. 

[pjcdn2005]

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@soccerdude3232 wrote:

Yes, completely understand the point about not being able to dispute whether a buyer received a letter/package, but when shipping very low cost items, suck as common sports cards for 2 or 3 dollars, it's worth the risk.  

But, the part that bothers me is if the buyer and seller agree to ship with no tracking, and seller accepts the aforementioned risk, why ding their performance rating?

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Basically the only reason that you can't get top seller just because you don't use tracking is because you wouldn't be uploading tracking within your handling time.    Other than that you aren't 'dinged' unless a buyer checks off in feedback that they received the item after the estimated delivery date. In my experience, that doesn't happen often.