eBay addresses - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 01:43:01 am
content: I got a couple of parcels which had EBAY followed by a string of numbers/letters in the postal address.I figured this might be a quirk of some people's labelling systems, but then I got a parcel with a handwritten address, which had the same string.Any idea what this is for?[Slightly unrelated: I like how the Music Magpie wrapper says "I'm green" in blue text.]

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 01:49:15 am
content: A commercial seller and their own tracking/serialisation system for shipments perhaps?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 05:39:58 am
content: It's an eBay thing that started sometime last year. I have a seller friend who has been subjected to this.It is meant - so eBay says - to provide a means of tracking orders by having the postal service scan the address (using OCR?) and recording the code which, when passed on to eBay, allows eBay to keep an eye on orders even when a paid tracking option from the postal service was not used.I knew we had it in Australia, but I didn't know it was used elsewhere.The code is 7 seemingly random alphanumeric characters - where the alphabetic are always in lowercase. There is likely some algorithm that drives their generation as I have seen multiple separate purchases from one customer within a short period having 5 or 6 characters in common.I have no idea as to whether what eBay has said is actually what happens - or whether anything happens. Even if nothing is done with it yet, I have little doubt it might in the future.

author: austfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 06:37:46 am
content: I was lead to believe the 7 alphnumeric characters represented the value of the goods inside (ie the eBay sale price) in case an item goes missing and a claim is made to Aust Post?

author: greenpossum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 06:44:11 am
content: It would make more sense for the code to represent a key into a database where all sorts of information about the transaction can be retrieved.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 08:01:32 am
content: First I've heard of it, but I haven't sold anything on ebay in months. I always shipped to the buyer's official Paypal address and paid the postage directly through USPS.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 08:28:09 am
content: Quote from: austfox on October 21, 2020, 06:37:46 amNot a sensible scheme for more reasons than I care to list. Sounds like social media fake news.Quote from: greenpossum on October 21, 2020, 06:44:11 amThis is more like it.

author: Syntax Error
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 08:54:09 am
content: Steve, that code is a new one on me. I just had a look at my UK ebay account stuff and there's nothing that would fit that pattern. Possibly a seller's local order number?As for 'green', that plastic bag is at least 99% captured hydrocarbon. Why not use cardboard to be nice to dolphins in the south pacific, where most UK plastic is dumped (according to the fake news BBC)? Oh yeh, it rains in the UK. Frequently.btw Steve, if you're now in tier 3 when reading this, you'll notice no difference. Greetings from Lancs

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 10:01:58 am
content: I was doubtful that its a seller's own order number (or similar). The top picture is from Music Magpie, who are a big seller; one would expect various codes on a package from such a seller, but the other one is from, what look like a private individual who just sells a lot. My Mother also got an ebay parcel with the same type of code in the address.

author: Syntax Error
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2020, 10:38:27 am
content: It's a thing called a Virtual Tracking Number or VTN. Nothing to worry abouthttps://tamebay.com/2020/09/ebay-vtin-virtual-tracking-number-need-know.html

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 03:53:34 am
content: Quote from: Syntax Error on October 21, 2020, 10:38:27 amDon't be afraid.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 06:04:40 am
content: Oh no! It's the barcode thing all over again! They are tracking us.Wait... Dave, why isn't there a foil hat emoticon on here?

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 06:29:29 am
content: Quote from: Syntax Error on October 21, 2020, 10:38:27 amThat solves it. Looks like the code is supposed to get embedded into the barcode (if there is one), but removed from the actual address, so in theory, a buyer shouldn't see it.