01-10-2018 08:47 AM
This is a first for me.
We went out of state for our annual family vacation for a couple weeks(the 23rd to the 10th to be exact).
Our eBay store was placed in vacation. The listings were kept visible so that purchases could be made but we wrote a notice letting everyone know, our return dates included, that no orders would be processes or shipped out until we return. I encouraged questions, as always, and kept my laptop nearby during the trip.
So about half way through the the trip we had not one, but two people open dispute cases because their order had not been shipped out on time.
I gave them the benefit of the doubt and looked at the store using a different account. Vacation mode notices are everywhere. It’s a fact that is hard to miss. It’s actually very clear to see that nothing will be done until the stated return date.
Both cases have since been closed.
But one things bother me:
Why are late delivery dispute cases possible at all, for purchases made while a store is in vacation mode?
The fact that a customer and a seller can get so tied up, and waste so much of everyones time and money, with all of these clear messages and notices in place is astounding.
It actually doesn't make any sense.
Solved! Go to Best Answer
01-10-2018 09:01 AM
When you are setting your vacation mode, there are two choices and each choice states exactly what that selection will do while you are in vacation mode. The first toggle is just to let your buyers know you are away, but they can still purchase from the listing. The second toggle hides your listings so that people cannot purchase until you turn off your vacation mode. If you do not have extended handling times set for your listings, you want to choose the second toggle, because eBay and buyers are still expecting that you've made arrangements to have these items shipped when they are supposed to ship.
The first toggle that only lets buyers know you are away does not help you if you are physically unable to meet your handling times.
01-10-2018 08:55 AM
@teaisfortoys wrote:Why are late delivery dispute cases possible at all, for purchases made while a store is in vacation mode?
It actually doesn't make any sense.
Because as long as item as visible, the seller is obligated to fulfill orders.
What doesn't make sense is leaving items available for sale when you know you can't ship.
01-10-2018 08:58 AM
Did you change your handling time?
If not you should have.
Ebay is all about handling time and you sending it on time.
@teaisfortoys wrote:This is a first for me.
We went out of state for our annual family vacation for a couple weeks(the 23rd to the 10th to be exact).
Our eBay store was placed in vacation. The listings were kept visible so that purchases could be made but we wrote a notice letting everyone know, our return dates included, that no orders would be processes or shipped out until we return. I encouraged questions, as always, and kept my laptop nearby during the trip.So about half way through the the trip we had not one, but two people open dispute cases because their order had not been shipped out on time.
I gave them the benefit of the doubt and looked at the store using a different account. Vacation mode notices are everywhere. It’s a fact that is hard to miss. It’s actually very clear to see that nothing will be done until the stated return date.
Both cases have since been closed.
But one things bother me:
Why are late delivery dispute cases possible at all, for purchases made while a store is in vacation mode?
The fact that a customer and a seller can get so tied up, and waste so much of everyones time and money, with all of these clear messages and notices in place is astounding.
It actually doesn't make any sense.
01-10-2018 08:59 AM
This is a common mistake. Putting your store on vacation mode does not protect you from late delivery. You have to manually extend your handling time as well. Or you have to hide your listings. You now have 2 seller defects that take time to drop off.
01-10-2018 08:59 AM
@teaisfortoys wrote:
... Why are late delivery dispute cases possible at all, for purchases made while a store is in vacation mode?....
Because the basic vacation "mode" is nothing more than an "Away" message.
The only way to avoid disputes and late-shipment defects is to either (1) use the option to hide your listings; or (2) revise your handling time to refect your actual anticipated shipping date.
01-10-2018 09:00 AM - edited 01-10-2018 09:03 AM
If you don't bulk edit your handling times, then technically you are still required to ship within them. Ebay also still applies the shipping time metrics based on your listed handling times.
Ebay doesn't make this clear when you pick the vacation settings.
In all fairness, when I complained to ebay reps about this not being made clear I was directed to tell folks that it is explained under "Knowledge Base" and Commonly asked questions.
01-10-2018 09:01 AM
When you are setting your vacation mode, there are two choices and each choice states exactly what that selection will do while you are in vacation mode. The first toggle is just to let your buyers know you are away, but they can still purchase from the listing. The second toggle hides your listings so that people cannot purchase until you turn off your vacation mode. If you do not have extended handling times set for your listings, you want to choose the second toggle, because eBay and buyers are still expecting that you've made arrangements to have these items shipped when they are supposed to ship.
The first toggle that only lets buyers know you are away does not help you if you are physically unable to meet your handling times.
01-10-2018 09:02 AM
We leave them available to so that we dont miss sales. In the meantime, I inform the buyers that nothing will be shipped out till we get back. And am always happy to take questions as they come.
The resoning behind chosing to do either is irrelevent, as long as ebay choses to make those options available withing their vacation mode settings.
01-10-2018 09:05 AM
01-10-2018 09:08 AM
01-10-2018 09:10 AM
01-10-2018 09:12 AM
01-10-2018 09:17 AM
@teaisfortoys wrote:
Yikes
Surprised me, too, when it happened to me when I had my store on vacation. I had no idea that it could happen but now I know it does.
01-10-2018 09:20 AM
01-10-2018 09:21 AM