Slow shipping? Stuck in ISC L.A

[irv]

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this lately?

Purchased a card from "X" seller and it shows the card was shipped with tracking around May 30th.
Checking tracking a few days ago and just now, it still reads that it is still in ISC L.A. since June 4th.

The card, according to tracking or the seller, read that it was supposed to arrive today, June 14th.

I know this is not the sellers fault, but does anyone know what could be possibly going on?

I recently purchased a card from a U.S. member here and although it was just sent in a PWE, it arrived rather quickly in his and my opinion.

Has this been the norm for Tracked card purchases lately or is something out of the ordinary going on with just my card?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Many times. You're in Canada, as am I.

My guess is that the shipper used a third party discount shipping service to send your purchase. This happens all the time with certain sellers in the western U.S. These types of shipments seem to bounce around between various sorting centers in the LA area, sometimes for a month or two. Sometimes, it just gets lost in their black hole and they furnish you with no information for 30-60 days. It's atrocious. Good luck in ever locating these shipments when they're in this state of limbo. My best guess is that USPS gives these packages the lowest of low priorities due to the discounted shipping rates, but again, that's always been my guess.

Another awful thing about these shipments is that the tracking number will only work within the U.S. Once it has been dispatched to the destination country, you'll never know where it is until it arrives.

If you are dealing with a seller who you know uses these methods, spend extra for UPS if you want to see your cards in a more reasonable amount of time.

[irv]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

Many times. You're in Canada, as am I.

My guess is that the shipper used a third party discount shipping service to send your purchase. This happens all the time with certain sellers in the western U.S. These types of shipments seem to bounce around between various sorting centers in the LA area, sometimes for a month or two. Sometimes, it just gets lost in their black hole and they furnish you with no information for 30-60 days. It's atrocious. Good luck in ever locating these shipments when they're in this state of limbo. My best guess is that USPS gives these packages the lowest of low priorities due to the discounted shipping rates, but again, that's always been my guess.

Another awful thing about these shipments is that the tracking number will only work within the U.S. Once it has been dispatched to the destination country, you'll never know where it is until it arrives.

If you are dealing with a seller who you know uses these methods, spend extra for UPS if you want to see your cards in a more reasonable amount of time.

USPS is exactly who it is but I am surprised, if it's true, that this seller would use the cheapest form of shipping, especially when shipping is $15 U.S. or $20 CDN?
I've had delays before, but nothing like this, and that was when their shipping fees were just $5.95 not that long ago.

Judging by your reply, it sounds like I am not the only one.

Thanks for the info!
I appreciate that.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I had a funny feeling I knew exactly who you placed an order with. Now I know for sure!

They're a great company, as we all know. They bumped their S&H charges significantly for Canadian shipments. It used to only be $1 more than their domestic S&H rate. Not sure what happened, and I too have wondered if this increased rate would translate to quicker shipping times. Guess not. I wouldn't know, as I have any of my winnings from them shipped to an American address, then forwarded on via untracked letter mail to Canada. This actually takes less time, in spite of the shipments having to travel over 1000 miles out of their way! My advice to you would be to find an American friend with whom you can make a similar arrangement.

[skelly423]

Fellow Canadian, I get the same problem all the time. There's a prominent ebay seller in southern California, and reliably his packages take 6 weeks to arrive. I had one wander from Carson CA to Los Angeles, and back again, four times before it exited the loop. I don't know of any solution, but you're not alone in your frustrations.

[irv]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

I had a funny feeling I knew exactly who you placed an order with. Now I know for sure!

They're a great company, as we all know. They bumped their S&H charges significantly for Canadian shipments. It used to only be $1 more than their domestic S&H rate. Not sure what happened, and I too have wondered if this increased rate would translate to quicker shipping times. Guess not. I wouldn't know, as I have any of my winnings from them shipped to an American address, then forwarded on via untracked letter mail to Canada. This actually takes less time, in spite of the shipments having to travel over 1000 miles out of their way! My advice to you would be to find an American friend with whom you can make a similar arrangement.

Thank you. I have looked into a U.S. mailbox but with the nearest border crossing being 2+ hrs away, I decided just to continue on with what I am doing.
However, depending on when this card, and 2 others purchased after this one, get here, I may just try something different the next go around?

[maniac_73]

Canadian here and I'm used to it. I have one card stuck in Customs review and another stuck at the LA distribution facility. I've learned to not expect anything for a least a month coming the states.
Im actually looking at getting a PO box in Buffalo and just getting my packages from there once a month since Im only an hour from the border. Makes it easier for sellers too.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I deal with another seller out of Colorado. They also use a discount shipper. All of their shipments go to L.A. first as well, getting this same pariah-like treatment from USPS. You'd think that a shipment from Colorado to more eastern Canada (SW Ontario) might actually move in a more logically eastward fashion, but no.

Again, talk to the seller and see if they can come up with something better. For my fellow Canadians, look into NetParcel. They're a different kind of third party discount shipper, based out of the GTA. A UPS shipment with them is practically the same cost as the $15 USD the one company now charges to ship up here via the terrible method. No matter where you are in Canada, with a free account, you can print off shipments from the U.S. to Canada and vice versa. Huge savings over retail, and none of the USPS B.S. The UPS shipments take the same amount of time as if you had paid full price directly via UPS. Perhaps ask them if you can furnish your own prepaid UPS label instead. I've had luck doing this with a few auction houses, and have been very content with the results.

[irv]

Originally Posted by skelly423

Fellow Canadian, I get the same problem all the time. There's a prominent ebay seller in southern California, and reliably his packages take 6 weeks to arrive. I had one wander from Carson CA to Los Angeles, and back again, four times before it exited the loop. I don't know of any solution, but you're not alone in your frustrations.

Originally Posted by maniac_73

Canadian here and I'm used to it. I have one card stuck in Customs review and another stuck at the LA distribution facility. I've learned to not expect anything for a least a month coming the states.
Im actually looking at getting a PO box in Buffalo and just getting my packages from there once a month since Im only an hour from the border. Makes it easier for sellers too.

Thanks guys. I don't recall dealing with something like this before but I guess there is always a first time.
Technically, it has only been a bit over a couple of weeks so maybe I am just being impatient, and seeing the estimated delivery date of today, didn't help either.

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

I deal with another seller out of Colorado. They also use a discount shipper. All of their shipments go to L.A. first as well, getting this same pariah-like treatment from USPS. You'd think that a shipment from Colorado to more eastern Canada (SW Ontario) might actually move in a more logically eastward fashion, but no.

Again, talk to the seller and see if they can come up with something better. For my fellow Canadians, look into NetParcel. They're a different kind of third party discount shipper, based out of the GTA. A UPS shipment with them is practically the same cost as the $15 USD the one company now charges to ship up here via the terrible method. No matter where you are in Canada, with a free account, you can print off shipments from the U.S. to Canada and vice versa. Huge savings over retail, and none of the USPS B.S. The UPS shipments take the same amount of time as if you had paid full price directly via UPS. Perhaps ask them if you can furnish your own prepaid UPS label instead. I've had luck doing this with a few auction houses, and have been very content with the results.

Great info again, Billy.

Thanks.

[irv]

Well, despite it still reading my card is in ISC L.A., it arrived today.
Found a notice in my mailbox yesterday about picking it up today after 13:00 hundred hours.

Of course, with what usually happens when I get these PO notices, I was stung with import fees again.

2 more cards coming from the same place and they both read June 10th at ISC L.A. so more than likely the same thing will happen?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by irv

Well, despite it still reading my card is in ISC L.A., it arrived today.
Found a notice in my mailbox yesterday about picking it up today after 13:00 hundred hours.

Of course, with what usually happens when I get these PO notices, I was stung with import fees again.

2 more cards coming from the same place and they both read June 10th at ISC L.A. so more than likely the same thing will happen?

That sucks about the import fees.

Shipping has been hit or miss for a few years now with USPS. I bought a Wade Boggs bat. The seller shipped it 2 days ago. I checked tracking a few minutes ago. It took a tour of Oklahoma and this morning was sitting back in the same city it was originally shipped from. That is UPS.

[irv]

Originally Posted by bnorth

That sucks about the import fees.

Shipping has been hit or miss for a few years now with USPS. I bought a Wade Boggs bat. The seller shipped it 2 days ago. I checked tracking a few minutes ago. It took a tour of Oklahoma and this morning was sitting back in the same city it was originally shipped from. That is UPS.

Yeah, it sure does, but I knew going in that is always a possibility.
It was hit or miss before but it has become way more frequent lately to the point where it is almost every time now.

Received a recent email from eBay, which I'm sure all CDN collectors did that use eBay, that beginning July 1st, sales tax will apply on all purchases. I'm in Ontario so that is 13%.

Collecting Canadian Sales taxes from eBay Canada-based Buyers

Dear eBay Canada Buyer,

Due to legislative changes in Canada’s tax laws, eBay will be required to charge and collect Canadian GST/HST, QST, and PST on applicable sales to Canada-based buyers, effective July 1, 2022. Please note that these changes will affect most e-commerce companies that operate in Canada.

Starting on July 1, 2022, for all sales of tangible goods sold within Canada, eBay will be collecting the Canadian sales taxes (GST/HST/QST/ PST) from Canada-based buyers on behalf of Canada-based sellers (irrespective of their tax registration status) and remitting the tax to the appropriate tax authorities. eBay will also be responsible for collection of the Canadian sales taxes on supplies to Canada-based buyers of digitally downloaded goods, including sales from non-Canadian sellers.

To ensure that the correct amount of tax is applied on your eBay purchases, please confirm that your account information is up to date. Upon the launch of this sales tax implementation, eBay won’t be able to support and accept exemptions for buyers who qualify for the First Nations or resale exemptions. First Nations buyers can apply for a rebate to the CRA on exempt purchases. For provincial exemptions, buyers can go to the respective tax authority for a refund.

[vthobby]

No lie! 2 cards I shipped on Ebay to a buyer in CA are still "lost" in Los Angeles post office! "Out for delivery". I filed a claim with Ebay since I paid for insurance. I'll give you 1 guess if you think i've been reimbursed! lol

I'll never buy insurance again! Worthless.

Post office tells me they are looking into it!

lmao

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by vthobby

No lie! 2 cards I shipped on Ebay to a buyer in CA are still "lost" in Los Angeles post office! "Out for delivery". I filed a claim with Ebay since I paid for insurance. I'll give you 1 guess if you think i've been reimbursed! lol

I'll never buy insurance again! Worthless.

Post office tells me they are looking into it!

lmao

Prediction: You'll receive the same "We're looking into it" email every month or two up to the six month point, whereupon an equally generic "We've given up" email will reach you. Standard protocol. I've had it happen more than once.

[irv]

I received my other 2 cards today despite the language at L.A. reading "Shipment received acceptance pending"

Heck of a system letting people know the whereabouts of their cards in the mailing system, , but I guess I shouldn't complain as I did receive my cards.
Of course, import fees were applied again.

[wondo]

As far as I know, USPS shipping is USPS shipping. It does not matter if the seller shipped using the Ebay postage, PirateShip, other "low cost" sellers, or paid full price at the post office counter. The USPS does not differentiate. Please correct me and give sources if I am mistaken.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

This has happened to me 100% of the time when U.S. sellers in the western part of the country use discount third party shipping methods to ship to Canada. This is my own personal experience based on at least 100 such packages over a period of several years. My personal experiences are sufficient proof for me. Anyone else can believe what they will. While it may be a theory, it never fails to keep proving true.

As mentioned earlier, I now have such shipments sent to an American address. I grew tired of waiting so long for things to arrive; can't believe I didn't just go this route sooner. Domestic "low cost" shipments tend to arrive at the same speed as any other tracked First Class shipment. This leads me to believe that the issue only affects Canadian (and perhaps other international) shipments. I can only speak to Canadian shipments.

Wondo: Just talk to any Canadian who is a customer of Greg Morris Cards. I have a feeling their stories will all be similar. (I only use Greg Morris as an example because of their large customer base and that this always happens with their shipments. They're good people.)

[wondo]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

This has happened to me 100% of the time when U.S. sellers in the western part of the country use discount third party shipping methods to ship to Canada. This is my own personal experience based on at least 100 such packages over a period of several years. My personal experiences are sufficient proof for me. Anyone else can believe what they will. While it may be a theory, it never fails to keep proving true.

As mentioned earlier, I now have such shipments sent to an American address. I grew tired of waiting so long for things to arrive; can't believe I didn't just go this route sooner. Domestic "low cost" shipments tend to arrive at the same speed as any other tracked First Class shipment. This leads me to believe that the issue only affects Canadian (and perhaps other international) shipments. I can only speak to Canadian shipments.

Wondo: Just talk to any Canadian who is a customer of Greg Morris Cards. I have a feeling their stories will all be similar. (I only use Greg Morris as an example because of their large customer base and that this always happens with their shipments. They're good people.)

Thanks! It seems kinda strange, but I'll take you at your word. BTW, I happen to drive through Newport, PA every week.

[skelly423]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

Wondo: Just talk to any Canadian who is a customer of Greg Morris Cards. I have a feeling their stories will all be similar. (I only use Greg Morris as an example because of their large customer base and that this always happens with their shipments. They're good people.)

BINGO. Great cards, great service, I've got nothing negative to say about the company, but don't count on their cards arriving in Canada any earlier than 6 weeks from the date of purchase.

[irv]

Originally Posted by skelly423

BINGO. Great cards, great service, I've got nothing negative to say about the company, but don't count on their cards arriving in Canada any earlier than 6 weeks from the date of purchase.

I guess it depends on where one lives in Canada?
I'm in southern Ontario and truthfully, these last 3 cards, despite the confusion/non updated PO info, they arrived within a month.
The last 2 cards that just arrived yesterday; the order date reads June 7th, which, IIRC, is likely the fastest I've received cards from GM?

Normally, prior to these last 3 cards from GM, my wait time was mostly 4 weeks give or take a few days so maybe things are changing?

I totally agree with the rest of your statement. Never once have I had an issue with GM cards.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Interesting. Makes me wonder if they have changed the method of how they ship along with the new rates. That would definitely make sense.

Did you happen to check the tracking and follow the path of the shipment's progress? Any noticeable differences from the past? Did it travel in a northeastern direction, or up to Vancouver first as they always used to?

[irv]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

Interesting. Makes me wonder if they have changed the method of how they ship along with the new rates. That would definitely make sense.

Did you happen to check the tracking and follow the path of the shipment's progress? Any noticeable differences from the past? Did it travel in a northeastern direction, or up to Vancouver first as they always used to?

Jim Turner and John Kucab all read Los Angeles only, and the only difference with Russ Meyer is one step in the process reads Anaheim.
Russ also reads "in transit" with the line that goes along the top but Jim and John still read "shipped" only, which, as you likely know, is the very first step in the tracking info provided.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Hmm. Did the shipping labels look different than any older shipments? Could you see any indication that a discount shipper was used?

(I once got yelled at and hung up on by Russ Meyer nearly 30 years ago. He thought I was a telemarketer! I let the Mad Monk calm down for half an hour before calling back to straighten out the confusion!)

[irv]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

Hmm. Did the shipping labels look different than any older shipments? Could you see any indication that a discount shipper was used?

(I once got yelled at and hung up on by Russ Meyer nearly 30 years ago. He thought I was a telemarketer! I let the Mad Monk calm down for half an hour before calling back to straighten out the confusion!)

In all honesty, Billy, I didn't really pay a lot of attention to the shipping labels.
When the mail lady arrived yesterday, I was without my glasses but accepted the pkg because I knew what it was.

Great story on the "Mad Monk". I just recently read up on him as this card, his 52 Topps card, seemed a tad more difficult to obtain and for a slight premium as well.