WARNING: eBay Sellers Falsely Claiming UK Location - Yodel Complicit in Deception

QuestionEverything

How to spot fake "UK sellers" shipping from China:

🚩 RED FLAG #1: Delivery times longer than 3 days If a listing shows delivery taking more than 3 days (excluding personalised items or made-to-order), or gives an estimated delivery window of up to 11 days, the item is almost certainly being shipped from overseas — even if the seller's profile or photos on the items claims UK location.

🚩 RED FLAG #2: Check the reviews Look at the seller's feedback. You'll see a clear pattern:

• Complaints about delayed deliveries
• "Took 2-3 weeks to arrive"
• "Item came from abroad despite UK location"
• Nearly always delivered by Yodel — even when buyers selected other couriers at checkout (seller claims "listing mistake")

🚩 RED FLAG #3: Yodel tracking that goes nowhere Your tracking shows:

• "We're expecting your parcel"
• "Your parcel is on its way to Yodel"
• "We have your parcel" ← THIS IS THE LIE

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THE SCAM EXPLAINED:

I've contacted Yodel support multiple times and have it confirmed in writing:

When Yodel tracking says "We have your parcel" — they don't actually have it physically. It only means they've received the shipping information. Yodel admitted to me this is because the item is an international shipment still clearing customs or not yet in the UK.

Why they do this:

This fake tracking update must have been designed to trick eBay's system into thinking the seller has dispatched the item on time, helping them meet eBay's performance standards while your parcel sits in a bonded warehouse at Heathrow or hasn't even left China.

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WHY THIS IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM:

❌ You think you're buying UK stock → You're actually buying from China ❌ You expect delivery in 2-3 days → It takes 2-3 WEEKS ❌ You think you have UK consumer rights → Returns must be shipped internationally at YOUR cost ❌ Legitimate UK sellers are being destroyed → They can't compete with fraudulent pricing from overseas operations avoiding UK business costs and taxes

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DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME COMPLAINING:

I've been down this road. You will be:

• Sent in circles between eBay, Yodel, and the seller
• Lied to repeatedly by all three parties
• Fobbed off with scripted responses and false promises
• Ignored by eBay's AI — when you report the seller for false location, eBay's automated system claims "it meets our policies" (it doesn't)

The seller will send you corporate-speak AI-generated responses about their "logistics team" and "dedicated account managers" — despite being listed as a "private seller."

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PROTECT YOURSELF:

✅ Only buy from sellers offering 1-3 day delivery — this is normal and standard for genuine UK stock ✅ Read ALL reviews carefully — look for delivery time complaints ✅ If it says Yodel, be suspicious — especially if delivery estimates are vague or long ✅ Check seller location history — do they have multiple addresses? Recently changed location? ✅ Support legitimate UK sellers — they're being driven out of business by this fraud

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THE BIGGER PICTURE:

This isn't just annoying — it's systematic fraud that:

• Destroys honest UK businesses who can't compete with fraudsters
• Costs UK jobs and tax revenue
• Deceives consumers about what they're buying and when it will arrive
• Gives eBay plausible deniability while they profit from listing fees
• Allows Yodel to profit from facilitating deception

I am a legitimate UK eBay seller and I'm watching my business suffer because I compete honestly while fraudulent Chinese operations undercut me using fake UK locations and Yodel's complicit tracking system. I am also a regular buyer from eBay sellers and always only purchase from other UK sellers, I have unfortunately been tricked into buying from deceptive sellers who claim to be UK based.

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WHAT I'M DOING ABOUT IT:

I've formally complained to:

• Yodel Executive Complaints Team - No response
• InPost UK CEO (they just bought Yodel) - No response
• Ofcom (Yodel is breaching postal service regulations)
• Trading Standards

If you've been affected by this, please also report it. The more people who complain, the harder it is for eBay, Yodel, and regulators to ignore.

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TL;DR: If eBay delivery time is more than 3 days or tracking says "We have your parcel" but nothing moves for weeks, you're buying from China regardless of what the seller claims. Yodel admits their tracking is deliberately misleading. eBay knows and does nothing. UK sellers are being destroyed. Buyer beware.

***All statements above can be backup with screenshots and transcripts from Yodel the seller and interactions with eBay Ai.