Buying from China no longer an option for me

[Libelle]

Almost exactly two months ago I won an auction from a Chinese seller on ebay UK. The seller had stated in their shipping and handling information that shipping from China to Europe usually took five to six weeks. I payed for the item using Paypal.

Since roughly eight weeks had passed, and I had not yet received the item, I logged into ebay today to contact the seller. To my (unpleasant) surprise, I had to realise that the seller was no longer a member on ebay and that their account had been deleted. Since the 45 days time frame to open a claim on either ebay or Paypal has passed, I have no way of reclaiming my money. I have, effectively, been cheated out of my money. 

This is the first time I have bought an item from a Chinese seller, and, I regret to say, it will be my last. With shipping taking so long and buyer protection being limited to a 45-day time frame, I feel no longer protected. 

Maybe my posting will help other members: Be careful when dealing with long shipping/delivery times. 

[ponylady]

I am so sorry Libelle that is really unfortunate 

I have a little calendar by my desk that I keep track of purchases from other countries. It helps me keep track of that 45 day time limit to open a claim if needed. I had to start doing it because I like you would simply forget because of longer shipping times. I know that doesn't help now but perhaps you could try it in the future so you do not have to all together quit buying from Chinese sellers.

[NoDivision]

Don't be discouraged because of one bad egg - I've bought many things from china and have dealt with some wonderful sellers. Ponylady's idea is a good one. Mark dates on a calendar so you don't miss your paypal deadline. Usually sellers are very understanding if you file a claim even if it's a long shipping window. I've had to do it once or twice and always just let the seller know I'm filing to cover my bases and will close the case once the item arrives.

In this instance, since your seller went NARU, you should still be able to get your money back. Contact ebay and let them  know you were dealing with the seller and never received your item and see what they can do for you. Typically when a seller is booted off of ebay there is some leeway with the deadlines.

[Libelle]

I have a little calendar by my desk that I keep track of purchases from other countries. It helps me keep track of that 45 day time limit to open a claim if needed. I had to start doing it because I like you would simply forget because of longer shipping times. I know that doesn't help now but perhaps you could try it in the future so you do not have to all together quit buying from Chinese sellers.

I didn't know about the 45-day limit, but I was seriously expecting the parcel to take at least a month and a half to arrive. It was only when I realised that the seller's account had been deleted, that I knew something fishy was going on and realised I shouldn't have trusted the seller (and, without knowing, effectively waiving buyer's protection).

If shipping from China really takes that long, tracking the 45 days on a calendar doesn't really make a difference, hence, no more buying from China from me. Sigh.

Thanks ayway, Ponylady! 

[Galactica]

Yikes-   I have actually had nothing but great transactions from Chinese sellers- but as with all of my international purchases, keep a CLOSE EYE on that 45 day window.

If it has been 43 days and no item-  I will open a dispute.  The seller can post tracking info or say that it is on its way.  You can also then give the seller as much time as they need for the item to arrive in the mail-  but buy at least opening the dispute (and be careful not to close it)  you won't lose your chance to open a case way later on.

I'm sorry to hear this has happened to you- the 45 day limit thing can be a real drag, and seems a bit unfair sometimes especially when it is a pre-order item or something (in which case you just have to take the risk or not buy).

[NoDivision]

I would also add that yes, shipping from china can take a long time, but I have never had an item arrive outside of the 45 days. It either arrived before that, or just didn't show up. If it gets to about 40 days, it's a reasonable guess that something has gone wrong with your seller.

[Libelle]

Usually sellers are very understanding if you file a claim even if it's a long shipping window. I've had to do it once or twice and always just let the seller know I'm filing to cover my bases and will close the case once the item arrives.

If it has been 43 days and no item-  I will open a dispute.  The seller can post tracking info or say that it is on its way.  You can also then give the seller as much time as they need for the item to arrive in the mail-  but buy at least opening the dispute (and be careful not to close it)  you won't lose your chance to open a case way later on.

Ah, I didn't know this was possible. I thought, once I had opened a claim, it would no longer be possible to resolve the dispute amicably. That's a good advice, NoDivision and Galactica! Thank you

I would also add that yes, shipping from china can take a long time, but I have never had an item arrive outside of the 45 days.

Unfortunately, it often does if the destination lies within the EU. For some reason, shipping from China to the US is much faster.

[Dragonflitter]

I have had some wonderful and some not so wonderful experiences with purchasing from Chinese sellers on ebay. I usually get all items within 1-2 weeks from China, but I'm in the US, not across the pond.

On the not-so-great hand, I once had a plushie get shipped to me in a shipping bag that was totally open by the time it made it here--I'm so glad the plushie didn't fall out and get lost! Also I once ordered a lot of blind bag ponies and when they arrived, I didn't get all the ones that were in the photos of the auction (this was before it was common for Chinese sellers to put up some random pics of blind bags and say you will 'get an assortment'). The auction didn't mention anything about an assortment, but the Chinese seller explained in very limited English that it was an assortment auction when I contacted them about the missing blind bag figure.

But on the good hand, I have had some lovely experiences with Chinese sellers! Twice I received a little extra prize in the package when they sent it to me, along with my order. Once I got a little tiny gold satin drawstring bag, and another time I got a (very faux lol) pearl necklace. I usually also get a little note included as well, asking for positive review if I am happy with their product.

So I would say don't discount Chinese sellers altogether, but weigh your options and only order if you really want the item, and be prepared for some extra hassle that might come up.

I'm so sorry you missed out entirely on your order, though. I wonder if this happens often... Does ebay have a way of helping buyers in this case, when sellers just close up shop and vanish with open orders waiting? If you contacted ebay, would they possibly reimburse you...?

[Navi]

Shipping from China seems so hit-or-miss. Sometimes things show up pretty fast, and sometimes they take For. Ever. Sorry your pony never showed up

[Libelle]

So I would say don't discount Chinese sellers altogether, but weigh your options and only order if you really want the item, and be prepared for some extra hassle that might come up.

That's just it, I'm not prepared to deal with any hassle, which is why I'm ruling out distant Asia as a potential source for MLP items. That's totally fine, though.

Does ebay have a way of helping buyers in this case, when sellers just close up shop and vanish with open orders waiting? If you contacted ebay, would they possibly reimburse you...?

No, they don't. They've already responded. I'm actually really disappointed about this. I don't know when the account was deleted - what if it happened before the 45 days were over?

[Shenanigans]

That happened to me once only on a pre order item from the US. The person never sent it, never responded to my messages, and I wasn't able to get my money back. I will never pre order on ebay again

[Buffy]

Have bought a lot of ponies from China and they went here super fast(I'm also from germany).
Ponylady's idea is really good, I also marked my purcases, so I will not forget something, when shipping needs a little bit more time...

[Buzzingbumblebee]

I have bought a lot of stuff from China/Asia and I haven't had any trouble. And it usually takes about two weeks to get to Norway, quite often I get stuff quicker than that. There are bad eggs everywhere..