The Royal mail scan reporting that eBay use to monitor shipping and delivery of untracked item is not binding as proof of dispatch or delivery. Many may notice that items in the 'view order details' sometimes show a dispatch date and often show no delivery date as the information is based upon the internal scanning system to the post office. The Royal mail confirm that this data is not proof of posting or delivery and will not be accepted as such. However, eBay use this scanning data to punish late dispatch and delivery. They do this in the hope that your service metrics will default so they can enforce their policy to collect a premium percentage to erring accounts. In my case, I offer free shipping on all my items. The average price of my items is around £7. To give free tracked shipping is not cost effective and should not be required to fight against a questionable policy. I have had enough of being beaten about the head by an organisation that is willing to use coercive control to increase their profit. The would like everyone to use the most expensive shipping method possible because they take a cut from you on shipping costs. And, whilst I am into this rant, they also take a cut of government imposed taxes where VAT is taken as part of the purchase process. Making a charge on a government imposed tax, is that even legal? So, I guess most will say, take it or leave it, put up and shut up, if you can't take the rules then get out. Yup, that is my choice, policies are policies and contractually they have got me. Well, I guess I have to consider carefully my next move. I cannot continue to support what is in my opinion an organisation walking a thin line morally. I now ponder what to do, I do have options, but admittedly will create a lot of work to port my 10000 items across over 3700 listings to another platform. If you are considering similar, make sure that you obtain a data protection access download of all your information. eBay must provide all information held on their systems including all data fields used in listings, this includes images and descriptions that they conveniently omit when you perform an active listings report download. Of course, why would they furnish your with your own information so that you can move your business elsewhere? Just as clarity, my account is in good standing and not under penalty, 100% +ve feedback. However, if the policy continues then it may become a problem It pains me to think like this, I have been an ebay customer since 1996, I cringe when I admit I was part of the Beanie Baby craze and sold to the american market, they couldn't get enough. Halcyon days. All comments welcome
