"Do You Get POINTLESS EBAY TRACKING Numbers Too?" Topic

I usually get useless "tracking numbers" from overseas eBay sellers, but occasionally from people who claim to be in the US too (same stuff, but saying it is "US stock").

The moment they tell you they are shipping the item(s), you get a "tracking number" that, when you click on it, tells you little to no information about where the package really is. You occasionally get the "en route to next point" message while it is still moving within that country of origin.

After a long time waiting for the overseas package, it suddenly shows up in your mailbox or doorstep. But, when you go to look up the "tracking number" it simply says that it's still "In Transit". It doesn't even say "Out For Delivery". To top it off, a couple of weeks after you get the package and have already posted your usual eBay review, occasionally one of those exact same eBaysellers will send you a message asking if the package was delivered, usually because the tracking still says "In Transit".

So, let me ask you, what is the point of giving the customer one of those fake "tracking numbers"? Just to give the customer a false sense that it is being monitored, when it obviously isn't, even by the seller?

Or am I missing some vital point(s) here? Thoughts?

Thanks, and sorry for the rant mode. :)

Dan

I think that is because what you are getting is an eBay tracking number, not a postal service tracking number. I've noticed that as well from buying from the TMP Marketplace and paying via PayPal. Unless the seller or the postal service sends you the actual postal service provided tracking number there is no actual way to tell where your package is.

When I mail something that I sell, I always send the USPS provided tracking number to the buyer. I also use it to actually track my package and make sure it got to the buyer.

Jim

I "won" an auction last Monday. I didn't get a tracking number until 2 days ago. I'm on track to receive my winnings 10 Days after I won it. I also got a pro forma email reminding me that positive feedback is expected.

Let's be honest about eBay. As it is now, it's nothing but another store. It's Amazon, but at least Amazon doesn't demand positive feedback and gushing 5 star reviews for shipping what you paid for.
I said a few months ago that I never give feedback anymore, particularly for a store that has had 20,000 transactions this year.

Well, it's good to see that I'm not the only one who thinks there's something really fishy going on with eBay and those foreign "sellers":

link

Dan