Guaranteed Delivery - being objective.

[mr_lincoln]

I think there is a place for Guaranteed Delivery but I am truly curious about the categories it would really support from a Buyer demand and quickest delivery standpoint?  I received a message about it today which was a little confusing ... the message states "60% of Buyers are more likely to chose a seller who accurately predicts a delivery date*."  My first thought was the delivery has nothing to do with the seller and everything to do with the carrier.  I know there is an asterisk after the word "date" that further explains things but the message implication is what it is.

For what I sell I have not seen any demand for fast shipments on collectibles and when an item is heavier than First Class I offer both Parcel Select and Priority Mail ... only rarely has a Buyer selected Priority due to cost ... I think one Buyer did early this year but I think that was due to their lack of buying experience.

So from a curiosity standpoint it would be great to see the real numbers on those who want a guaranteed delivery ... publishing the 60% number I personally think is high and with the words "are more likely" is speculation, not factual ... just IMHO ...

[lemarcheaupuces]

ebay makes no sense.

i am a busy "online" buyer, not just ebay.

all i am concerned about is that i get what i purchased.

well as long as it doesn't take 2 to 3 weeks.

ebay should know by now that the USPS delivers pretty much everything within 1 week (even parcel post).

i ship a lot of personal packages to Florida (large and heavy) and parcel post rarely takes longer than a week.

so why is Ebay so harsh on shipping metrics?

why so harsh on sellers when all a seller can do is ship within the advertised handling policy?

another poster mentioned the "guaranteed delivery" to me.

will read all "next" replies.

but just in case i don't find my answers.

is this something we will all be part of? is it in place already?

what happens if a package doesn't make it on time?

funny...

Ebay no longer considers mis-describing an item a bad thing.

but doesn't forgive sellers if the USPS delivers late.

as a buyer i would be more upset at a bad description.

i would feel like the seller wasted my time.

i wouldn't care if my purchase arrived 1 days to a week late.

and even if arrived later than a week i would know it is out of the seller's control.

(unless of course the seller has NOT shipped or shipped very late).

[div_style]

I agree that collectibles buyers do not seem to be in a hurry to get their stuff.  Commodities buyers do want their stuff yesterday, so in my commodity store I think I will opt in to guaranteed one day handling, but not the door to door option which seems just too risky.

[mr_lincoln]

@lemarcheaupuces  Excellent point.  G.D. is an "opt in" or "opt out" option for Sellers.  Its here and available if one wants to be part of it.  The implication is one will Sell more that way.  I don't agree across the board, it may apply on certain things.  One items at a pound or heavier I offer Parcel Select or Priority ... guess what everybody pics?

This all came about because eBay's main competitor offered it so its keeping up with the Jones ... I'd rather see eBay start being the company to copy not the other way around.

[callahanmagic]

Based on my limited comprehension of the GDS.

Below is what I can gather.  If my summary is lacking or incorrect - do feel free to make corrections. 

There are 2 options for merchants to opt in for this GDS.

i) door to door

ii) within One or Same day handling time.

Option (i) - merchants bears ALL responsiblity to ensure item reaches buyer within 'whatever'

delivery date that was specified.  If item is delayed, and IF buyer complains that item is delayed

- or arrived late : MBG 'activated' ie: purchase price/any shipping costs/fee - merchant is 

responsibled.

Option (ii) - As long as merchants shipped items within their listed handling time. Any delays

in item's arrivals - eBay will bear.   Again, if buyer complains of the 'late' arrival meaning arrived

not within the Estimated date.

As of now, only some merchants are in this GDS program.  eBay wanted to see or

get feedbacks how the GDS operates LIVE for these merchants. 

Given those 2 options: Option (ii) will be a much improved shipping matrix for those

merchants who're already managing their One or Same Day handling to perfection. 

I have signed up for the GDS - planning to opt (ii). However, am on waiting list.

-

Lucas

*still rollin' with the punches*

[llllady]

---

@mr_lincoln wrote:

@lemarcheaupuces  Excellent point.  G.D. is an "opt in" or "opt out" option for Sellers.  Its here and available if one wants to be part of it.  The implication is one will Sell more that way.  I don't agree across the board, it may apply on certain things.  One items at a pound or heavier I offer Parcel Select or Priority ... guess what everybody pics?

This all came about because eBay's main competitor offered it so its keeping up with the Jones ... I'd rather see eBay start being the company to copy not the other way around.

---

Mr. President 😉  - I also offer Parcel or Priority on almost all items over 1 lb.  You're right; they almost always choose Parcel.  Ask me the last time I shipped a package Parcel, and I can't tell you. 

Printing the label through eBay, the Priority price is almost always (if not always) cheaper than the Parcel rate.  So your buyer gets a nice surprise, you save a few cents, and it makes for an easier decision to offer at least the one day handling time (especially if you are already doing it) of the guaranteed delivery.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

As a seller, I cannot use eBay's Guaranteed Delivery because I do not use eBay's online prepaid labels.  Even if I did, I would not "guarantee" anything less than Priority Express Mail or the equivalent air service via FedEx or UPS. As a buyer, I do not and will not seek out eBay's Guaranteed Delivery.  I don't need anything that desperately!  Of course, I'm used to mail order companies whose delivery estimates are 10 days to 3 weeks -- unless a buyer selects a higher-cost "expedited" service.   By contrast, most of my eBay orders arrive 2 to 5 days earlier than expected, even those sent via UPS, FedEx or USPS 3rd class or 4th class mail.  Some sellers who specify "economy" shipping actually upgrade to Priority Mail when they find out the cost is the same or less and includes insurance.  Free boxes and envelopes help the expense column, too. Bottom line:  As a seller, I offer shipping choices when I can.  However, I avoid Parcel Select, UPS and FedEx.   I do offer Media Mail as an alternative to Priority Mail and First Class Mail when I sell books or sound recordings.  Sometimes I add Priority Express Mail -- boy, does Priority Mail look cheap in comparison!  Buyers can read and compare the costs and delivery estimates and select what works best for them. ~~C~~

[lemarcheaupuces]

---

@div_style wrote:

I agree that collectibles buyers do not seem to be in a hurry to get their stuff.  Commodities buyers do want their stuff yesterday, so in my commodity store I think I will opt in to guaranteed one day handling, but not the door to door option which seems just too risky.

---

not sure where you got that idea?

not all sellers are create equal.

then again, it should be easy to pick a seller (on ebay) that has a "fast" handling policy (i mean if as a buyer it is that important to you).

i am a busy online buyer and rarely got my purchase yesterday.

when it happens most often the seller is NOT at fault.

i can even tell you that many "huge" online retailers, take a lot more time to ship than most ebay sellers (and also have higher shipping charges).

[lemarcheaupuces]

---

@mr_lincoln wrote:

@lemarcheaupuces  Excellent point.  G.D. is an "opt in" or "opt out" option for Sellers.  Its here and available if one wants to be part of it.  The implication is one will Sell more that way.  I don't agree across the board, it may apply on certain things.  One items at a pound or heavier I offer Parcel Select or Priority ... guess what everybody pics?

This all came about because eBay's main competitor offered it so its keeping up with the Jones ... I'd rather see eBay start being the company to copy not the other way around.

---

thanks for the info.

this is so petty.

as a buyer this program will NOT make me buy more.

when i shop on ebay, i use NO filters.

the most important thing to me is the product i am looking for.

"filter" with free shipping, not free shipping, guaranteed delivery, this or that...

and you only see a fraction of what is available out there.

all that to copy another retailer. petty!!!!!!

ebay is scared of being left behind?

i mean i could see a buyer needing an item by a certain date.

in this case all they would have to do is filter sellers that ship overnight.

so 1 at ebay think this would make a buyer's experience better.

it is hilarious...

as a buyer i would prefer sellers to have better pictures.

i would prefer to have sellers to have better descriptions.

i am amazed at how many sellers have poor pics:

too far (too tiny in pics), too blurry, picturing the front but not the back etc...

i just pass on these listings.

and there are many...

is this "opt in" program affect a seller's search placement (even if a buyer does NOT filter)?

i am getting tired of having to adapt.

you know, this is ridiculous.

most of my shipping is FC mail.

i often ship on Saturdays.

and my packages are often delivered on Mondays.

and i said often...

the USPS does not guarantee it so how can ebay expect sellers to?

if shipping was often an issue i could see Ebay getting tough.

i have shipped and received thousands of packages this year and the year before.

NOT a single issue.

that is why i don't get it.

thanks for your help.

[lemarcheaupuces]

---

@llllady wrote:

---

@mr_lincoln wrote:

@lemarcheaupuces  Excellent point.  G.D. is an "opt in" or "opt out" option for Sellers.  Its here and available if one wants to be part of it.  The implication is one will Sell more that way.  I don't agree across the board, it may apply on certain things.  One items at a pound or heavier I offer Parcel Select or Priority ... guess what everybody pics?

This all came about because eBay's main competitor offered it so its keeping up with the Jones ... I'd rather see eBay start being the company to copy not the other way around.

---

Mr. President 😉  - I also offer Parcel or Priority on almost all items over 1 lb.  You're right; they almost always choose Parcel.  Ask me the last time I shipped a package Parcel, and I can't tell you. 

Printing the label through eBay, the Priority price is almost always (if not always) cheaper than the Parcel rate.  So your buyer gets a nice surprise, you save a few cents, and it makes for an easier decision to offer at least the one day handling time (especially if you are already doing it) of the guaranteed delivery.

---

i like smalls. 99% of my packages are FC.

but anything that feels even a little too heavy or that is a little too large is set as Parcel in my listings.

just in case.

but your are right most times Priority is cheaper.

i have been doing it for years (2010).

you know what, don't even think buyers care or realize.

i have never had a buyer telling me;

thanks for the shipping upgrade.

not once.

[missjen831]

My main issue with that graphic is that once again eBay's advertisement is extremely misleading! Since when does the seller predict the delivery date? eBay is and has been in control of that for years! 

Also maybe I'm just not special enough but when I browse there is no option to search for guaranteed delivery listings. I wanted to see what the listings looked like and how eBay presents it and I can't find the filter? The only filter is for free shipping. So even if I wanted something within a few days guaranteed.....sorry eBay sellers opted in, but I can't give you my business since I can't find your listings 😞

[lemarcheaupuces]

---

@callahanmagic wrote:

Based on my limited comprehension of the GDS.

Below is what I can gather.  If my summary is lacking or incorrect - do feel free to make corrections. 

There are 2 options for merchants to opt in for this GDS.

i) door to door

ii) within One or Same day handling time.

Option (i) - merchants bears ALL responsiblity to ensure item reaches buyer within 'whatever'

delivery date that was specified.  If item is delayed, and IF buyer complains that item is delayed

- or arrived late : MBG 'activated' ie: purchase price/any shipping costs/fee - merchant is 

responsibled.

Option (ii) - As long as merchants shipped items within their listed handling time. Any delays

in item's arrivals - eBay will bear.   Again, if buyer complains of the 'late' arrival meaning arrived

not within the Estimated date.

As of now, only some merchants are in this GDS program.  eBay wanted to see or

get feedbacks how the GDS operates LIVE for these merchants. 

Given those 2 options: Option (ii) will be a much improved shipping matrix for those

merchants who're already managing their One or Same Day handling to perfection. 

I have signed up for the GDS - planning to opt (ii). However, am on waiting list.

-

Lucas

*still rollin' with the punches*

---

alright...

but what is the advantage of opting in the option 2 (1 days handling).

what do i have to gain as a seller?

what if 1 day i cannot make my 1 day handling?

it has happened a few times over the years.

can even tell you that quite a few other times i shipped within my handling policy and the usps delivered late.

my dashboard says delivered late.

but NO buyers has ever reported them as being late.

just ebay...

so what happens if i opt in option 2 and that happens?

then again not sure it matters.

antiques and collectibles and junk are about what is rare and desirable.

doubt such a program will make a difference.

so again what are the clear advantages of opting in in #2?

i have adapted to so much already might as well look into this.

thanks for any info.

[soundman07]

If I could Guarantee delivery dates, then maybe I should drop everything and play the lottery instead of doing this, being so miraculously intuitive as I have become.

[callahanmagic]

@lemarcheaupuces

In truth, when GDS was 1st made known. 

I was livid. Just plain seething inside.

What in the name of Finn, is the platform trying to prove? 

When the very delivery services CANNOT guarantee a delivery date 

even for Priority Mail and also PM Express (some counties do not accept PM Express).

So many variables are at play for delivery routes. As with Harvey who is causing much

damage in Texas ... how is the GDS going for the buyers' shopping benefits??? 

So is eBay going to bear the cost of late delivery due to weather such as Harvey?

Our shipping policy is one day handling/economy shipping (that is to protect 

that darn shipping matrix). Generally, we used USPS 1st Class or PM which ever is

more cost worthy.  

After reading through the GDS segment - figure, since we're already doing one day handling

why not opt in to option (ii) and see how goes. Still, am not sure whether  our account will be

approved since we'll still continue to mark 'economy shipping' services and not any of the expedited

services.  Even, if we're not approved - no sweat.

"what is the advantage of opting in the option 2 (1 days handling).
what do i have to gain as a seller?
what if 1 day i cannot make my 1 day handling?
it has happened a few times over the years."

I supposed: 

1) Per eBay's mention. Placements in search is boosted?

2) If fail to meet that 1 day handling - just as now - a ding in the shipping matrix?

3) And the usual demerits to the seller's account?

-

Lucas

*still rollin' with the punches*

[lemarcheaupuces]

---

@soundman07 wrote:

If I could Guarantee delivery dates, then maybe I should drop everything and play the lottery instead of doing this, being so miraculously intuitive as I have become.

---

we, sellers, can't.

but have to give the USPS kudoes.

i only ship USPS.

shipped thousands of package in the last few years.

the last time i had 1 lost was well over 2 years ago.

(well didn't get scanned "delivered" and buyer claimed "not" received).

and just can't remember the last time 1 took long to arrive.

so i "predict" you would have more chances predicting deliveries than the winning

lottery numbers...