How can I pause sales for a period over 30 days without losing over 2000 listings and pictures?

[ottoadzplus]

Been selling for over 24 years and have only needed to do a week or two vacation for time away. Just wondering if anyone has paused or how to pause without losing everything after 30 days. Thanks very much for your input!

[annadryl]

You can schedule your listings for Time Away for 30 days or less, but that's the limit.

[nobody*s_perfect]

"Time away" can only be set for 30 days at a time, but you can go in on day 29 and re-start it or another 30 days.

Or you can end your listings; they will be available to relist for 90 days.

Or you can use the "Out of stock" option, changing your quantity available to zero, and then change the quantities back when you're ready to resume sales.  IIRC you can leave an item in OOS status for more than 3 months, but check here:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/multiquantity-listings-listing... 

[ottoadzplus]

Thanks for your reply. I like what the second member posted as it might open up some options for me. Take care!

[ottoadzplus]

Thanks for your suggestions! This will give me some options to explore as I really don't want to start from ground zero again. Much appreciate your time!

[buyselljack2016]

@ottoadzplus 

OOS could be the best.

Using time away and ending that to start time away again presents a 31-59 minute window of opportunity before it starts again where buyers could make a purchase.

[ottoadzplus]

Thanks for your input. I was wondering about that delay.  I will be looking to the OOS option. Take care.

[sin-n-dex]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

@ottoadzplus 

OOS could be the best.

Using time away and ending that to start time away again presents a 31-59 minute window of opportunity before it starts again where buyers could make a purchase.

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I suppose it depends if you really can't ship at all during your time away (like prefer not to as opposed to "can't) and how long on the second time away you have to be gone.

I'm potentially facing a situation next year of wanting more than 30 days away, and I've decided to let it start on day 29 for that 31-59 minute period before shutting it down. Should I be fortunately enough (or not) to get a sale, I'm just going to tell the buyer what's going on. Unless the item is time sensitive (and mine usually aren't unless it's gifts), then most buyers are OK waiting a few extra days for you to ship.

Earlier this year I was in Africa and scheduled to return back one day before my 30 day time away ended, then my flight was cancelled and I was literally stranded there. My listings started up again and I wasn't able to shut them off, and almost as soon as they started I had 7 sales. I explained to buyers I had been away and was supposed to be home on this particular date to ship orders, but my flight was cancelled due to the Lufthansa strike and I got stranded. I would ship as soon as I get back and let them know. Everyone was cool and understanding these things happen.

I find as long as you're not trying to pull the sick/illness card on a buyer, people are understanding that things happen. I decided after those 7 sales just to let the store run and message people immediately with my return plans so they wouldn't be upset if it took 2-3 days to ship. It was a very small window where I couldn't ship, but it appeared as though some buyers were anxiously waiting for my store to open again so they could buy stuff.

C.

[slippinjimmy]

Listings that are Out of Stock will renew 5 times and then be ended on the date of the 6th renewal. If you let it get that far then the ended listings will be available in Unsold for an additional 90 days, basically 8 or 9 months before they disappear completely

[ottoadzplus]

Thanks so much for your input and experience with pausing your sales. You are right, stuff can happen no matter how well you plan or think you have it all planned out.  More food for thought for sure. Take care and thanks again!

[gloryglorygifts]

I don't think that works anymore. I had about 750 items that I changed to OOS in mid May, moved them to ended in early October and they are all now gone. I was relying on those additional months while ended but it just didn't happen. 

[johnrj1226]

Most hotels/motels or family/friend  provide access to a PC in the Business center for guests.  Used them to extend my  our time away several times.  Guess you can  do it on  your  cell -  but do like the  advantage of the big screen and big keyboard - am a '44 year model too

[jasoheat_0]

end all listings , then sell as similar , then at bottom right you can save for later , this should keep the listings for 75 days 

[cambriachick]

You can change your handling time to 7 days  and that kicks in after the 30 days time away.  Just to give yourself a cushion.

[sin-n-dex]

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@cambriachick wrote:

You can change your handling time to 7 days  and that kicks in after the 30 days time away.  Just to give yourself a cushion.

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That's a really good idea, but I find buyers don't pay attention to handling times. I have 5 days on my listing and someone got mad at me for not receiving their item three days after they purchased (I had shipped it within 2 days, they didn't pay attention to that either).

I would message buyers with information to point this out if anyone buys with that handling time in place, just in case you get someone who doesn't read, or someone who needs it fast for a gift, that would permit them to cancel and buy from someone who isn't away.

C.