Seller says ''there is no tracking available for your item'' ''I use a local courier company.

[adlife0]

Hello all,

Today is the first day of the Ebay estimated delivery window for a bicycle I purchased on Ebay.

Estimated delivery Sat, 18 Jul - Tue, 21 Jul

I was suprised to not see any tracking details - I have since emailed the seller and they have responded that they use a 'local courier'
- The courier has my details including mobile number so they will probably make contact before attempting delivery.

I'm sat here on Saturday now realising that I have to possible watch out for the delivery of this bicycle for the next 4 days.
I feel a little bit aggrieved that I have no idea when to expect this delivery - the listing was Buy it now, Free Economy Delivery, Dispatched within 1 day
Estimated within 4-5 working days.

Am I simply being grumpy about this, I understand that as I bought a bicycle with a combined price for the item and postage the seller would most likely
choose the cheapest/easiest courier to make maximum profit - Perhaps that was my error not double checking 1st. I have found out recently though
that paying a large postage fee does not necessarily translate to a good courier company, a few sellers will just switch to a cheaper courier anyway or
use a middleperson like ParcelHero who will then use any number of couriers.

Still this is one of the first times I have ever bought a large item and been out of the loop when the delivery is going to happen, it's flustrating but
maybe I should have been more careful when purchasing.

Below is the replies from the seller after asking if they had any tracking information

"there is no tracking available for your item, I can phone up and get the courier company to track it for me but there is no website or physical tracking number I can provide for you. I use a local courier company for my large/heavier items which I have done so for your bike. I use a 3-5 working day service, your item was collected by them yesterday.''

''Most cases, as I have provided all your contact details and phone number, they tend to phone the receiver up before delivery, obviously to make sure that you will be there to receive it and not be a no show for when they turn up. Once successfully delivered, I get confirmation by them.''

[arkwebus]

From eBay's point of view tracking is to prove delivery not simply to provide a clue to the buyer as to where the item may be.  There are couriers who do have a system where the buyer can actually see where the courier is and where they are in the delivery list. 

I suspect they are the top-of-the-range couriers.  I very much doubt if sellers will welcome messages as to who they use.  Most [business] sellers have a set routine as to how they deal with things. 

@adlife0