Just wanted to give a warning to buyers. Reality of Ebay.
Many China based sellers are actually brokers or drop shippers. They do not actually have stock of the items they have listed. Once you place your order, they contact the actual person that is supposed to have that item, and then that other person drop ships it to you.
Thats all ok except:
- Some of the actual sellers do not keep inventory numbers up to date, so you will order an item, and then after a relatively long time (1 or 2 weeks), the seller will tell you the item is not in stock. I only use highly rated sellers, and so far they always refund. But if you need that item, you just wasted weeks.
- You dont know where its going to ship from; it ships from where ever the actual seller is located. No relation to the Chinese city listed on Ebay.
- Some times confusion can result if they are complex items with various options (like industrial electronics parts), because the Ebay seller does not actually have the item or knowledge of it. All your information is second hand.
Also, they do not admit this. If you contact them the stock response is some version of "we are getting it from the warehouse, then it has to be tested and packed before shipping". They will never tell you they are a broker and do not actually posses the item you are buying.
Seems to happen more with expensive items. I assume the low cost items the actual sellers do have dozens or hundreds in stock, so the low cost stuff usually ships same day.
Also, I have seen this reported by other buyers. Its kind of a well known thing if you buy enough stuff from China. Just in case you think its only me.
Also, high rating of the seller does not prevent this. If the seller has a high rating, then you will get your money refunded if the item never ships. The reason is, Ebay buyers will always leave positive feedback unless their money gets taken. Even me, as long as they return the money, I give positive feedback. Try to read the feedback reviews, for me I will write in the review what ever problems occured.
I do continue to buy from China. Why? For the items I buy, mostly surplus Industrial Electronics, there is much more available in China. Because they now have way way more factories over there than here at home. No, my items are not 'made in China', they are 'used in China', at the factories. Most of the things I use are American, Japanese or Gernan companies industrial electronics parts used in factories.
And the modern reality most of those factories are and still are located in China. Dont believe all you read in news about 're-shoring' of factories. If you check the trade deficit USA to China, it continues to get higher, not better.
By the way, I have Never seen this behavior from USA, Canada or Europe sellers. The broker thing is ok, its just an irritant that they dont tell you the truth. So if you are using the item for work or business and its delayed by weeks, well,,,
