Going on vacation...move items into a store and turn off store or can I send buyers a message?

[shelbygato]

Just wondering if I have to actually pay for a store (so I can turn the store off while I am out of town) or do I just mention in the item description of every single thing listed that I will be out of town between certain dates?

Or is there a way to send buyers a message if they purchase the item that I am out of town and if they don't want to wait then don't pay for the item?

Just wondering what is the best way to handle this situation. Thanks for any tips!

[lintbrush*]

@shelbygato 

Yes, store subscriptions have a cost.  The cheapest is the Starter Store.  It's $7.95 if you go month-to-month.

Buyers buy because they want the item and they really don't care if you're on vacation or not.  Their dissatisfaction could reflect in feedback.

Also, regardless of any statements in your description, you have to ship within your stated handling time in order to keep up your seller standing.

If you're only going away 2-3 days, then you could get away with extending your handling time.  Any longer than that could create an unhappy buyer (even if you have a 10 day handling time).  

Looking at your listings, you might be better off just ending them and relisting them when you get back.

Some of them are quite stale and have been listed since Aug/Sept 2018.  If a listing has no interest within 2 months (I go with 1), then it's time to end and relist anyway.  Currently, they've sunken very low with a Best Match search, and they aren't showing up in Newly Listed or Ending Soonest either.

Good Til Cancelled is really only good for multi-quantity items with solid sell-through/interest level.  GTC would also be fine for a very rare item that is just waiting for the right buyer, but even those need "refreshing" to put in in front of new eyes.

[fashunu4eeuh · Accepted solution]

Like you, i don’t have a store and therefore no vacation setting. When i travel, i end my listings and relist upon return.

My main concern is not being able to assist someone making an inquiry where i need the item to answer, or a buyer needing a rush order etc. As i am unavailable to service my customers, ending the listings works best for my situation.

However, if it is just a weekend jaunt, i could extend my handling time to 2 days and leave the listings up since Saturday and Sunday don’t count as business days. But there is always a chance a buyer will need or want something i can’t deliver on if i’m away. So it’s a trade off. 

When ending a listing, the choices eBay gives for the reason are not applicable to someone preparing to travel. I usually choose the error in the listing reason. I don’t want to state the item isn’t available, for obvious reasons.

It is possible to revise listings and add a blurb about you being out of town. But it would not be prominent and some buyers skip the description, not noticing the extended handling time or the disclaimer. Then there is a chance for an unhappy customer.

Without a store, sellers are limited on what they can do in this circumstance. Good luck on whatever you decide, and hope you have a great vacation!

[shelbygato]

Thanks! Your answer really helps. I wish Ebay had a better option. I'll probably just do what you advised. 

[gamersbaystore]

I just inquired about using the vacations settings this past week, and an ebay rep advised to me lock all the listings so no one can buy. They give you the option to make your items available for sale with a disclaimer that notes how long you'll be gone, or to simply make it so nothing can be sold.

The rep I spoke with said that allowing the listings to remain available for sale often ends in numerous negative feedback and ebay wont help if that happens.

And as others noted, yes, you need an ebay store subscription to use the vacation settings.

[shelbygato]

Thanks so much! Your response really helps!!! I will follow your advice when I go out of town. 🙂

[shelbygato]

Thanks! I didn't know you could lock listings. This helps.