Panicked too quickly, looks like you’ll lose both card and the money now. You should have initiated communication with ebay and buyer and told them to wait for updated tracking. Not saying this in a bad tone btw, just my observation from the situation.
I’m hoping that’s what happened! And yeah, eBay only gave me a handful of options that led no where so refund was the best option. I feel like sellers can get bullied too easy and get bad feedback, which I rather avoid. I did indeed set the return up to come back to me, so I guess it’s a waiting game at this point.
Yep, the latest scan shows that its been received by UK customs, I just sent a package to the UK and had the tracking not update for over 3 weeks, however soon after I had the postal agent investigate into the whereabouts of the package, the exact same ‘processed through office of exchange’ scan appeared. Package was delivered shortly afterwards.
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Happened to me as a buyer about a month ago. US to UK. Tracked it into the UK but then it never entered the UK postal system.
The US side track it onto the plane so they know when it’s landed in the UK. The UK airport will then scan individually, or sometimes scan entire bags knowing nobody would tamper with a bag on the plane. Then the tracking updates to say it had arrived in the UK.
Unfortunately, some time between landing and then being actually put into the Royal Mail system (which they need to do to start delivering in the UK) it goes missing.
What’s really annoying is the US side say it’s not our problem we tracked it into the UK so it’s their side now (which is technically true). But the UK will say it’s not their problem because it’s never been accepted into their system so it’s still a US problem (also technically true.)
Thankfully eBay sorted me and the seller out (took over a month). I got a refund and they didn’t lose out financially, but now somebody has a $600 card. Please report it and ask your buyer to contact the UK service and do the same. This keeps happening to others I’ve spoken to recently and think it’s becoming more common.
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That’s unfortunate this happened to you as well. And it’s stupid the mailing system can toss the problem to the other side of the pond, but I get it.
The buyer was insistent on receiving their card and, after a month past the expected delivery date, I can understand where they’re coming from. I did report the item missing on ebay but I think I’ll give them a call so I can talk to someone. I reported the item also through USPS but not through Royal Mail, which I’ll do here soon.
Thank you for the information, definitely helps me keep calm!
The seller handled it really well, it was annoying but just one of those things where nobody is at fault, but eBay needed evidence that both sides postal systems had no idea where it was before issuing money back to each party. This was simply an email from both customer supports being like “we don’t know where it is, sorry for the inconvenience”.
The seller did have a lock put on their account by eBay for a short time which seemed kinda unfair because they are a reputable seller and it’s their daily business. Should all work out, the buyer is being a bit unreasonable though expecting it, but I do get it because I still haven’t found the card that went missing for a similar price/condition yet.
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Ok so final update:
I noticed the card was delivered and messaged the seller asking if they had received the card. They said no. I followed up by chatting with an ebay agent and they suggested filling out a pip form. When I had all my info entered and ready to go, it said my tracking had no insurance, so my heart sank and I started looking into forms for Royal Mail.
I more or less gave up at this point but the seller reached out and said they got the card. There was a 40 Euro Vat that they ended up not having to pay for one reason or another. They sent the refund money back. Oddly it worked out and I can move on.
Reflecting, I see where I can do things better but I’m going to take a break from eBay. Dealing with selling has been a lot the past couple of months. Anyways, I appreciate you efour for helping me and giving me advice! Thank you to those of you who Dm’d as well!
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So happy for you! This was a whirlwind for sure.
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Glad it worked out! Buyer could have pulled a snakey move there but thankfully some people still have morals! Don’t beat yourself up, lessons learned and you move one 
Just be happy you weren’t there when covid mail started 
I had cards go in limbo for months!
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