Buyers need to specify that they need an item ASAP *before* checking out

[uzumakey]

I specify a three business day handling time on all my listings, and ran into a buyer who wanted their item DELIVERED within four business days. They messaged to let me know this a day *after* completing their purchase instead of checking if I could even meet her demand before paying. I ended up shipping in two business days - would have gone sooner had it not been for a personal emergency.

Now it looks like the item will reach the buyer a day or two later than they wanted it, and the buyer will be mad they didn't get it in time for an event. 

Look people, I get that sometimes you want something quickly. If you do, have the foresight to message beforehand or, you know, pay for expedited shipping. 

[futuretomorrow]

You're speaking into a vacuum and preaching to the choir. I think most people on these boards are sellers and I'd imagine they know better. The buyers you most likely want to hear you aren't spending time in eBay discussions. 

By bending over backward for that customer you've now started to form a behavior or habit they will shortly find out is not the way things work.

I avoid your scenario in several ways:

1. I ship daily and early. If I've already shipped their package (8/10 chance), I politely email them and state that but also educate them that they should inquire about shipping times and expedited shipping BEFORE placing an order.

2. I haven't shipped it yet - "I'm sorry but there's nothing we're able to do at the moment as we're preparing your item for shipment" OR "The eBay system doesn't allow us to adjust shipping prices or times after a sale. We'll need to ship your item per the method that was paid for." - I've complained to eBay about this lack of flexibility.

3. On the listings where I saw a pattern developing I added an expedited shipping option. Works beautifully. 

Look at my feedback. Not a single negative or neutral was ever because of shipping and I've turned down every single request to date to ship faster than what a customer paid for. There have been plenty. When eBay wasn't as restrictive (like a real business?) I was able to create an invoice for them and have them pay the difference. Now you'd most likely get flagged for trying to complete a sale outside of eBay and assessed a fee. Yeah...these are the parents with the keys to every room in the house...

My concern when I read a post like yours is this new age of weakness that is spoiling the human condition into unexpected outcomes. Sellers here already have to deal with Amazon and retailer guarantees, discounts and the like they can't compete with. We can't complain about buyer behavior but be the root cause of why that behavior is deemed acceptable in the first place.

Please stop giving people things they haven't paid for and learn to simply BUT POLITELY say no. Thanks.

[castlemagicmemories]

"

1. I ship daily and early. If I've already shipped their package (8/10 chance), I politely email them and state that but also educate them that they should inquire about shipping times and expedited shipping BEFORE placing an order."

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It's great that you do that, but it is just sad that you have to educate them.

It should be common sense for the buyer to ask about that before buying.

What am I thinking...common sense is not so common these days, sadly.