How about a "Sick Day Button"?

[movieman630]

I was sick recently and it came on so sudden that when my shipping day came around I had several orders that needed to be shipped.  I had no time to think about "Time Away" functions. 

If ebay wanted to help sellers what would really be helpful (Especially in the age of covid-19) would be an "Emergency Delay Function".   Something where if a SUDDEN onset emergency hits a seller can suspend sales and also automatically notify buyers that their items "shipping will be delayed but that if they wish to cancel the transaction and get a full refund they are welcome to do so." 

This would allow the seller an easy way out of worrying about ebay punishing them for not shipping on time while also protecting the buyer from having to wait for something.  If the buyer doesn't like waiting they can get a refund no questions asked and the seller doesn't have to deal with buyer abuse. 

A function like this is long overdue.  There's no reason why we can't have something like this when emergencies hit all the time for any and all reasons. 

Just a suggestion for ebay of a function that would ACTUALLY HELP SELLERS!  How about something like that for an update instead of just telling us how we're going to pay more fees?

[movieman630]

Why are so many people arguing against a tool that would help you?  I've never in my life been confronted by so many people who would rather have to endure hardship then press a button.

We're all in the same boat.  I'm arguing for "higher wages" and you're all arguing for "overtime with no pay."  Unbelievable.

[movieman630]

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@earthdreamer wrote:

I just wish to thank you for starting this thread, as it has really brought home to me how unprepared I am for any unforeseen emergency.

Will now endeavor to write detailed instructions on what to do with my ebay store if I am unable to attend to it.

The only challenge is finding someone who cares enough to do it, as it is difficult to communicate to others how crucial it is to fulfill one's obligations as a seller on ebay. 

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That's exactly my point.  Why can't you just hit a button and shut it down?  It really is that simple.  You don't need to teach your "neighbor" how to pack your items and ship them out for you.  You don't need to ask your Mother in law to take them to the post office.  You don't need anyone else.  Just your phone.  Emergency - one click.

[yuzuha]

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@movieman630 wrote:

Why are so many people arguing against a tool that would help you?  I've never in my life been confronted by so many people who would rather have to endure hardship then press a button.

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Because it would be badly abused (which would lead to it harming all sellers by extension) and the majority of us already HAVE plans in place for an emergency situation.

[rosszonebricks]

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@movieman630 wrote:

Why are so many people arguing against a tool that would help you?  I've never in my life been confronted by so many people who would rather have to endure hardship then press a button.

We're all in the same boat.  I'm arguing for "higher wages" and you're all arguing for "overtime with no pay."  Unbelievable.

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Where does the "Easy Button" philosophy end and "Responsibility for one's own choices" begin?

Not everything in life needs, or should have, the button below.

[maxine*j]

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@monster-deals wrote:

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@rosszonebricks wrote:

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Plan ahead for these things 

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Ludicrous.

Getting sick isn't a **bleep** flat tire

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You're right.  Sickness is more inevitable than flat tires.  And not nearly so quick and easy to fix.  Therefore, one plans for what to do when sickness comes, especially if sickness will affect his very livelihood.

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[chapeau-noir]

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@movieman630 wrote:

Why are so many people arguing against a tool that would help you?  I've never in my life been confronted by so many people who would rather have to endure hardship then press a button.

We're all in the same boat.  I'm arguing for "higher wages" and you're all arguing for "overtime with no pay."  Unbelievable.

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We don't work for eBay - that's the thing.  In any situation where one is working on their own, it's on us to have an emergency fallback. That's why working for The Man is easier than working on our own.  It's why people who say eBay isn't a 'real job' are nuts. We actually have greater responsibility along with greater freedom. eBay isn't contracted for benefits beyond that directly related to business here, and having this sudden 'free day' thing is out of their purview, anyway.  We can't really have it both ways.

Once we had power go out for three days during one of our awful storms, and I was stuck out of town due to not being able to use the roads.  I still had internet where I was staying and ended up having to write all of my buyers and tell them the situation. They were all understanding of the few day delay - that's where the empathy is.

ETA:  Perhaps our opinions divide because I've never seen eBay as my 'business partner' - no matter what they say.  They're a website I sell on. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

Sounds like a real good idea.

Limit it to:

a.) Top Rated Sellers

b.) 1 time a year

[movieman630]

Yes, but it doesn't mean they don't have TOOLS to assist you.  I don't get why this tool isn't useful but the "time away" that's just fine.  It's like people are making excuses just to make excuses.  Can't someone just say..  "Yeah, if I needed that, it would help me manage my store!" 

It's not rocket science. 

[movieman630]

Keep your sarcasm.  I'm really not in the mood. 

[inhawaii]

My "negative comment".

If you're not unconscious or in a coma, you should be able to handle existing orders or have someone handle them for you and put your account on a temporary time away until you can figure things out.

I went through this myself recently. 

If you are unconscious or in a coma, then perhaps your ebay metrics should not be a major concern.

I hope you're feeling better.

[movieman630]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@movieman630 wrote:

Why are so many people arguing against a tool that would help you?  I've never in my life been confronted by so many people who would rather have to endure hardship then press a button.

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Because it would be badly abused (which would lead to it harming all sellers by extension) and the majority of us already HAVE plans in place for an emergency situation.

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That's a weak argument against this function.  Very weak.  The only person who loses is the seller who has to stop selling to recover. 

[movieman630]

So this wouldn't have made your life easier?  ALL it is, is time away with no sales and ability for pending orders to be delayed or refunded at buyers choice. 

[movieman630]

Thanks for at least backing me up.  I'm literally under attack here.  Nobody is backing me up against all these attackers.

[stainlessenginecovers]

I had this exact scenario- 6 years ago. Massive Stroke, unconscious for 3 days. When I awoke, 1st thing is get my son to bring laptop so I could walk him through how to sign on, where to find vacation etc. (I couldn't see).

The 10 or so orders that were outstanding, I build to order but luckily my son knew enough to finish the orders and get them out, and also luckily this happened on a Thursday and I have 5 business days set up; so he was able to get things out while we stopped any future orders. 

But would've been much easier if the 10 orders were just 'held with offer to customer to wait a few weeks or refund'. 

[chapeau-noir]

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@movieman630 wrote:

Thanks for at least backing me up.  I'm literally under attack here.  Nobody is backing me up against all these attackers.

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No one is 'attacking' you - many simply disagree and are saying why.