Items on Ebay Not Actually Located in the UK

damo24

I often shop on Ebay and at this time of year I find it great for last minute gifts and bargains but I am noticing a worrying trend of items being listed as being in the UK but which are actually being shipped from China through a UK forwarding service.

Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with buying things from foreign sellers and often do but when buying electrical items or when I'm looking for something quick I select the "UK Only" filter for "Item location".

The first tell-tale sign that it is actually coming from China is the expected delivery date (usually 2-3 weeks) and on scrolling further down the page, the seller's details will show an address in China.

I have reported some of these items to Ebay pointing out that they are not really located in the UK but this doesn't seem to make any difference.

As I see it, the potential problems with these items includes returning them if something goes wrong (you are not covered by EU legislation) and whether electrical goods meet safety standards.

I think that Ebay should tighten up their definition of the item's location and would be interested to hear what other people think

NBLondon

I think there's a difference between the seller being in the UK but the items being supplied direct from a wholesaler/manufacturer abroad and the seller being based abroad but claiming to be in the UK.
Last week I bought a fountain pen from one of the former - I was wary but since I was spending less than a fiver, I decided to take the risk. It arrived in 4 days (well ahead of the predicted time) and is fine. Would I buy a cable or a laptop battery - probably not....

forgotmyname

If the expected delivery date is over 7 days then i automatically think its coming from China and check the seller more closely.

Is it a legit UK registered company or just a UK mailing address?

If the business address is a non UK one then move onto one that is.

Rolandtheroadie

Bought something late on the 11th, had selected UK sellers only, delivery was claimed to be via RM, next day dispatch. Delivery estimate 14th or 15th (yes, I know that's an Ebay estimate).
It took 7 days for them to mark it as dispatched, I've still not received it 5 days later.
Business address is in the UK.
If it comes from China (I'm sure it will now) it'll be an instant negative.
I'm happy to buy from China and abroad, but I want to know I am before my purchase, not after delivery.

kwikbreaks

The feedback usually gives this away.

I recently bought an item supposedly from the UK which I later realised would be from Hong Kong or China. It actually arrived within the delivery window and was very good value. I left +ve feedback but mentioned in the text it was not UK based shipping.

Another which arrived several days outside the shipping window got -ve feedback. I'd already guessed it would actually be overseas but was in no rush and it was cheap. It was only a day off me raising a did not arrive cash back claim.

chippy2u

I think that there must be a place called 'UK' in China!! So many sellers state 'UK stock' and have a 'UK' address but when you do a little research you find the item is being sent from China. Ebay should make all sellers state where the stock is held. I have no problem buying from China but when buying something I want quickly and the seller says 'UK stock, 3/5 day delivery' and it turns up 3 weeks later from China it does rather Pee me off!!

Computersaysno

wrt return postage charges....remember that if the item is not SADFART then the SELLER pays return postage.


Usually if its 'sold from UK, delivered from China' you get a refund with no need to return the [cheap] item.




BTW,,,If a seller says they cannot send you a pre-paid return postage label, then simply wait the 8? days and get ebay to adjudicate....they will usually find in your favour....and remember to leave the to55ers negative feedback as well.

theonlywayisup

Computersaysno wrote: »

.remember that if the item is not SADFART then the SELLER pays return postage.

UK Consumer Rights do not apply on purchases from China. SADFART is a mnemonic based on those rights.

Computersaysno

theonlywayisup wrote: »

UK Consumer Rights do not apply on purchases from China. SADFART is a mnemonic based on those rights.

If the seller is 'uk based' [the entire point of this thread?] then SADFART applies.


However it's not relevant either way, because you use the ebay returns process to get your full refund.

Lip_Stick

Had this with a Christmas gift. The item (Overwatch figurine) was supposedly located in Liverpool but I had ordered a couple of items earlier (Overwatch cap and bag from different sellers) that arrived within a couple of weeks so decided to chance it. The figurine took a month to arrive and arrived just before Christmas. Shame it was faulty. The seller has agreed to refund 75% but I do wonder what would have happened if I'd have had to send it back.

theonlywayisup

Computersaysno wrote: »

If the seller is 'uk based' [the entire point of this thread?] then SADFART applies.

Surely the point of the thread is that these sellers are NOT based in the UK.