vacation responder

[bbingo]

How does the vacation setting work on your auctions?  If it notifies buyers that the item will ship upon your return on a particular date, does Ebay still penalize you in your shipping upload time?  If you have listing close while you are on vacation and have to postphone shipping until you return, but the buyer is aware when the purchase is made, does it make your upload shipping  time start when the auction closes or when you have stated you will return with the vacation setting?  Please help because I know these numbers affect Top Seller Status.  Thanks so much to everyone with answers out there...