ebay etiquette

[annie0000]

I bought an item (buy it now) an item on the 8th June and the seller confirmed on 13th June that it had been dispatched I presume by 1st class recorded as that's what the seller says she uses so that it ensures the items get there etc. I didn't have a problem paying for that as actually i had wanted the item (a pair or trainers) for a trip my son was going on the 15th. I had hoped she'd dispatch them a bit quicker but wasn't too bothered as I hadn't specifically said I'd wanted them.

Anyway, they still haven't turned up so I dropped her a quick note just to let he know. She's come back with an equally polite note, confirming despatched on 13th and giving me the tracking number and saying that according to Royal mail they are still being processed through the system. i checked the tracker myself and that's what it says.

She then went on that I should check with them in case they had attempted delivery and were holding them at the sorting office.

My query is, should she be doing that as she is the one who has the contract with the royal mail or now that she can evidence despatch, is it really down to me to trace? I can't make up my mind.

[Hopkirk]

I would have thought that only the intended recipient could check.

I know that to collect them you have to prove your identity.

[hollie1586]

Hi. Yea, I would say that it is now down to you to track the parcel. Once she has sent the parcel and given you the tracking number, which totally proves that she has sent it, it is out of her hands. Good luck!

[daffy654]

Most sellers require you to check with RM and your neighbours that they don't have the parcel before they will replace or refund.

[LochNessMonster]

Really she has done all she can by providing you with the number. What I don this scan my post office receipt and email the buyer with a copy as an attchment for them to print it off could they need it.

[cathfromsaron]

no, that is the customers job!

[jno]

I've used the tracking number to trace a parcel that was sent to me (not via eBay). When it clearly had gone missing, though, I went back to the seller for a replacement, and let them sort it out with Parcelforce, since as you say they were the ones with the contract.

When Parcelforce let me know a month later that the package had mysteriously turned up, I told the seller so he could get it back. He was surprised I hadn't just taken it myself; but I figured it was his, not mine.

[Old_Geezer]

I have had idiots in the past expecting me as expected receiver to go to the local depot and ask them to look for a parcel they have no knowledge of and which may not even have arrived.

The temptation to ask the seller if they are hard of thinking, may be difficult but I'd suggest you remain polite and point out that tracing where a parcel is can only be done by starting where you know it entered the system and working through.

Best of luck with it all, you seem to have picked "a right one".

[Old_Geezer]

Oh and yes, tracking number or no tracking number, delivery from her courier is her responsibility . It's not yours until you receive it.

[cathfromsaron]

i disagree with that, as a customer and seller on ebay myself!

as the customer who has been informed of the parcel's journey, surely up to you to check with the postie and the sorting office!

how can sellers do that when they are miles away?

[ChuckFickens]

It's quite simple, the person who pays the postage is the person responsible for delivery of the item.