eBay

soccerdude3232 · ‎09-20-2019

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.

orangehound · ‎09-20-2019

@soccerdude3232 wrote:
Why does ebay let so many sellers ship without tracking, but then tells me and lists shipping as a requirement?

Tracking is not required of any seller ... however, if a seller regularly does not use tracking, then (a) they will not qualify for Top Rated Seller and (b) they are not protected in Item Not Received claims.

soccerdude3232 · ‎09-20-2019

Thank you for the reply! That is very helpful. And, I am OK with that rule. I just dont understand why the rep told me it was "required". I'll call ebay back again and clarify. But, assuming what you say is correct, then I can live with that.

no_zero369 · ‎09-20-2019

@soccerdude3232

I hear your frustration and it stinks when something like this happens.

However, there is no hard requirement that a seller use tracking and thus for many items that can be shipped with a postage stamp, some sellers choose that option. The problem with not using tracking is the seller is giving up any protection for an Item Not received (INR) claim. With no proof of delivery these sellers automatically lose a INR case and have to issue a full refund. So they have the risk of INR worked into their business plan - account for some percentage of loss in setting their prices and expected profits.

Now as far as what ebay CS tells you on the phone. Sigh. Many times one gets any answer from eBay whether it is correct or not. What the rep might have been answering is that you can not ship with no tracking and still have 'seller protection' in an INR case.

Also, I suggest you look in the upper right hand corner of this page and find the link for the Guidelines as I don't think you can call out or mention a seller directly on these boards. Self report your post and ask that be removed to avoid an admonishment.

eaux-de-vie · ‎09-20-2019

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.

no_zero369 · ‎09-20-2019

@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.

@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.

soccerdude3232 · ‎09-20-2019

I just called ebay again. Shipping with tracking is NOT required, but if you ship without tracking your performance rating takes a hit and you cant contest deliveries when the buyer says they didnt receive it. So, that's that. I originally got mixed messages and now I understand. I also asked the ebay rep 2 or 3 times if ebay would kick a seller out for not providing tracking, and the rep said "no".

So, I'm done with this issue. I know how to compete now.

soccerdude3232 · ‎09-20-2019

I talked to them about that very issue. They said no exceptions, and that if I shipped without tracking my performance would take a hit and I cant get Top Seller.

soccerdude3232 · ‎09-20-2019

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?

soccerdude3232 · ‎09-20-2019

Thank you. Oh, I will remove seller name from my original post. Sorry, I did not know!

no_zero369 · ‎09-20-2019

@soccerdude3232 wrote:
Thank you. Oh, I will remove seller name from my original post. Sorry, I did not know!

@soccerdude3232

me thinks the time limit to edit a post has expired. You could go click on those three little dots in the upper right hand corner of the light grey box of the original post, scroll down to the bottom and click "report inappropriate content" and then ask to have the user name removed. Hope some beneficence shines on you for self reporting!

no_zero369 · ‎09-20-2019

@soccerdude3232

Oh I hear you are agree! If there is a meeting of the minds, then no tracking should be allowed.

Wonder if a campaign with other card sellers could create enough friction that eBay would create a check box where a buyer can waive their INR rights in favor of FC letter instead of FCP service? Then again, with FVF levied on shipping as well (and shipping being a 'profit center' for eBay), this is anti-economic for the mavens that permit us to sell here.

Me thinks the account ding is designed to "encourage" you to fall in line with their suggested program. Problem is that not every seller wants to or is capable of becoming a TRS, so doing something that limits that opportunity is no punishment at all.

So if you wish to take the risk of no tracking - go for it!

Just don't forget to work that risk into your business plan.

Good luck!

buyselljack2016 · ‎09-20-2019

@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?

One reason for the ding is that when a seller does not use tracking, which as you already understand can cause INR issues, it can create an added workload for the eBay bots.

Those sellers that do not cause grief (they use tracking) for eBay are

rated at a bit higher selling level (TRS) and given a bit of a reward for not increasing the workload for the bots, and sometimes the CSR's.

It would be difficult for eBay to look at millions of listings to see which would be sent without tracking. That is the seller's job to determine.

Some sellers will use a second account for items that cost wise do not warrant using tracking.

nhnguye7329 · ‎09-20-2019

?????

soccerdude3232 · ‎09-20-2019

Yeah, I just emailed the community post mailbox at ebay and asked them to remove my post or black out the seller name I referenced. Geez, not a good day for me so far...