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Mon June 14 2021 22:27:39

The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries

By: Ina Steiner

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Remember reports about tracking problems from sellers using eBay's new innovative shipping option for sending low-price, lightweight Sports Cards, called Standard Envelope?

Sellers are still reporting issues with the service, including a seller who said eBay does not offer the tracking and protection offered on the eBay help page, which states: 

"eBay standard envelope is more affordable than using USPS First Class Package Service. Plus, with integrated tracking and shipping protection it's more secure than shipping with a stamp and can help improve your Seller Ratings."

The sports card seller, who also buys sports cards on eBay, shared with us with a transcript of his chat with eBay customer service.

The seller gave the customer service rep information about two transactions where the Standard Envelopes were stuck: one was a transaction where he was a buyer, and the other where he was a seller.

The rep looked into it and told the seller that for the transaction where he was the buyer, he would have to contact the seller. And for the transaction where he was the seller, he would have to contact the courier.

The seller informed the rep that the USPS did not recognize eBay tracking numbers - as we reported in the March 10th EcommerceBytes Blog post, eBay stated:

"Tracking for eBay Standard Envelope is an agreement set up with several of our partners. It is not a USPS tracking number, and is only trackable via the eBay website (via a buyer's Purchase History or a sellers Order History). 

"While you shouldn't expect to see an acceptance scan from USPS at the counter or by the letter carrier, there are systems in place to ensure that, as a seller, you get credit for shipping items on time and with a valid number."

But the eBay rep kept telling the seller to contact the courier and providing him with links to the USPS website.

Do you have advice for the seller about what to do when his eBay Standard Envelopes get stuck in the mail? Or do you agree with his assessment that it's a problem that eBay needs to step up and fix?

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Perminate Link for The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries   The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries

by: pace306 This user has validated their user name.

Tue Jun 15 06:57:40 2021

“ Do you have advice for the seller about what to do when his eBay Standard Envelopes get stuck in the mail?”

Yes - learn to never ever trust eBay

Perminate Link for The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries   The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries

by: MissDidi This user has validated their user name.

Tue Jun 15 11:34:26 2021

Nothing is going to be resolved by following this eBay rep's incorrect instructions.  The seller needs to call/chat with someone else.

USPS isn't normally the carrier with Standard Envelope except for initial posting and final delivery.

I don't know why eBay keeps saying you can ONLY track these things through eBay.  The number works in any universal shipping app.  parcelsapp(dot)com for example, and you'll see far more detail from the third party app than you get from eBay.

There's still some issue with how the tracking updates despite them having months to address the complaint: items can show delivered up to two working days before they actually hit the person's mailbox.  It's a stupid issue to have in the first place and just creates more work for everyone involved.

Perminate Link for The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries   The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries

This user has validated their user name. by: iheartjacksparrow

Tue Jun 15 13:57:23 2021

My advice: Do not expect eBay to help you. eBay CSRs have a history of saying anything, no matter have lame or incorrect, to get rid of complainers.

If eBay has this arrangement with the USPS to deliver their Standard Envelope, then they should also insure that buyers and sellers will be able to view tracking on the USPS website.  

Perminate Link for The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries   The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries

by: pace306 This user has validated their user name.

Tue Jun 15 13:59:42 2021

eBay = king midas in reverse- they turn gold into cr@p

Perminate Link for The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries   The Futility of Tracking eBay Sports Card Deliveries

by: cardfinds This user has validated their user name.

Tue Jun 15 15:44:24 2021

I've been lucky as I haven't had a problem yet having sent around 50-60 items this way. I have a great mail carrier and she told me she has to put the "tracking #" in as a prepaid package in her scanner, then input #'s under International tracking. I hope this helps everyone.



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