Need Help – I bought an iPhone on eBay, it's Marked as Delivered but Not Received (eBay/PayPal)

[computerchase2009]

I bought an iPhone on eBay on Thursday and paid via PayPal. The seller provided tracking details.

It is now Saturday at 23:12. The tracking shows 23:12 – Delivered and Signed – NDC Parcel Hub Delivery.

However, I have been home all day and no delivery was made.

The tracking also shows the item was signed for by “RIVER ISLAND”, which has nothing to do with me.

I have not received the item. eBay currently won’t let me escalate the case as “item not received” because the system says it may still be delivered on Monday, even though the tracking already claims it has been delivered and signed for.

Has anyone dealt with this before?
What is the correct way to get my money back through eBay or PayPal when tracking shows delivery to the wrong place?

Any advice would be appreciated.

I left Negative Feedback and it was removed 10mins after.

[red_magpie]

I'm not surprised that your negative feedback for the seller was removed. They sent it by a tracked delivery service, as required, and provided the tracking number. How is it the seller's fault if there's been a problem with delivery?

"NDC" stands for the National Distribution Centre, a major sorting hub located in Northampton. It certainly isn't delivery to a domestic address. Neither is River Island.

I think eBay is correct that despite the claimed signature, your item is probably still in transit and may yet arrive.

If it hasn't arrived by the latest estimated delivery date you may need to start by using eBay's money back guarantee. There can be complications if a parcel is incorrectly tracked, as deliveBay is so robotic that delivery means delivery - sometimes even if it isn't to the buyer's address. Ask here again for advice it it gets to this stage - and be sure to tell us whether the seller is a private seller or a business seller, as different rules apply.

The important thing is NOT to file a claim through PayPal or your card issuer until the eBay case is closed. If you have two cases open at the same time, both will be closed.

[computerchase2009]

 I’ve read around and strongly suspect this is a fake tracking scam. The seller appears to manipulate or edit the postage details so the tracking shows as delivered, allowing them to claim the money.

The item ain’t Turing up at all, yet they are claiming it was posted and even marked as signed for, which is clearly false.

Your advice sounds completely unrealistic given the circumstances. This item cost hundreds of pounds and is already showing as delivered on the system, which is exactly how the seller is able to release and claim the funds.

As a result, I am now out hundreds of pounds. From shopping of eBay for Christmas! Never again!

[*vyolla*]

See post #9 for how to proceed:

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Member-To-Member-Support/BUYER-REFUSED-PARCEL-SCAM/m-p/7975773#M3329...

I'd give it a couple of days before taking any action.

[red_magpie]

Your advice sounds completely unrealistic given the circumstances.

In what way was it unrealistic? I think you mean that the procedure is too slow, problematical and bureaucratic.

Well so it is, but you asked for advice. It was your choice to buy on eBay and all we can do is to try to explain eBay's dispute procedures for dispute resolution.

Cases where an item was not received but tracked as delivered can be especially frustrating. It can sometimes be impossible to persuade eBay that the item was not received. Did you know that it the courier uploads a photo of the door as proof of delivery, eBay won't even accept the buyer's word that it isn't their door??

But as I said, I think in your case even eBay will realise that the National Distribution Centre in Northampton isn't your home address. 

As I said, it's usually best to try to resolve through eBay first, because if you open a PayPal case this disqualifies you from opening an eBay case later.

Your next step would be PayPal, of failing that your credit or debit card issuer.

[computerchase2009]

Final Update – Confirmed Fake Tracking  Scam

Be warned! Many eBay sellers are doing this, if  the seller does not have many positive seller feedbacks, don't even bother buying an expensive item as it is 99% a scam. 

I’m posting this as a clarification and warning for other buyers who may find this thread in future.

This was not a delayed delivery, courier error, or “still in transit” situation.

It was a fake tracking  delivery scam, and eBay has now fully refunded me after I raised this and requested a call back.

Here are the facts:

• The tracking showed “Delivered and Signed”
• The signature name was “RIVER ISLAND” (a retail chain, not a person)
• The delivery location was NDC Parcel Hub, not a residential address

eBay placed the seller under review and required proof that the parcel was addressed and delivered to me. The seller failed to do this, and the refund was issued in full.

 

Advice suggesting that this parcel was “probably still in transit” was factually wrong and potentially very harmful to buyers.

Once tracking shows Delivered and Signed, eBay’s system:
• Treats the transaction as completed
• Allows seller funds to be released
• Makes it harder for buyers if they wait too long

This is exactly why this scam works.

A parcel signed for by a clothing retailer at a distribution hub is not a courier delay — it is proof of misdelivery, and in scams like this, intentional misdelivery.

Waiting “a few days” in these cases can actually make things worse for buyers.

---

Correct advice for anyone experiencing this

If your tracking shows:
• Delivered
• Signed by a business or unknown name
• Delivered to a hub or non-residential location

Report it to eBay immediately and do not wait !

eBay will side with the buyer if the seller cannot prove delivery to the buyer’s address, regardless of what the tracking status says.

I’m posting this so other buyers don’t get misled into waiting while a scammer walks away with their money.

Hopefully this helps someone else avoid the same stress.

[computerchase2009]

Be warned!  Avoid expensive purchases from sellers with low or zero feedback. Many fake-tracking scams come from accounts with fewer than 10 feedbacks.

eBay is infested with this, if  the seller does not have many positive seller feedbacks, don't even bother buying an expensive item as it is 99% a scam.