How to set handling time longer due to snowstorm rolling in

[wirkaholic]

It's been years since I've had to do this.  We have a big snowstorm rolling in on Sunday.  I currently have a two day handling time set and have put the store in vaccation mode until Wednesday starting in the next hour just to be safe.  I'm still allowing sales and have added a message to be sent explaining the situation.  The one thing I forgot was that I sent offers.  The big blue box at the top of vaccation mode setting remined me that they are not included in the vaccation mode.  Which I think is stupid.  That is something I think they should fix. 

My question is do I have to edit all 907 listings in bulk?  Or can I just uncheck Mon - Wed boxes in days I do business?  

Any help would be appreciated. 

[wastingtime101]

You don't need to extend your handling time because the Time Away setting will do it for you. The exception list is defined on the Time Away help page which mostly surrounds offers and auctions. If you sent out offers and won't be able to ship those items you can always end those specific listings and relist after the storm - you can't change your handling time while offers are still open.

Here's the page about Time Away settings:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling-tools/time-away?id=5137

If you allow sales while away, make sure you read all the exclusions carefully.

Plan to have any auctions or offers end a week before you leave. eBay's working on an auto-pay offer feature, but it's still in testing phase, not yet rolled out site wide.

There's an option to set up an out of office auto-response within the Time Away settings.

Keep in mind you're still responsible for handling any return requests, claims or payment disputes that are filed while you're away. If you won't have internet access to check in every day or two, I suggest setting up automated return rules. You can turn off the automation after you return.

https://www.ebay.com/rtn/Return/SellerRules

[dhbookds]

Ah...........a new idea (to me)......... I wonder what would happen if you changed business days?  Would that apply to current auctions, etc........ 

@wastingtime101 

[luckythewinner]

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@wirkaholic wrote:

The one thing I forgot was that I sent offers.  The big blue box at the top of vaccation mode setting remined me that they are not included in the vaccation mode.  Which I think is stupid.  That is something I think they should fix. 

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There is nothing to fix.

You made offers to buyers for a listing with specific terms, and now you want to retroactively change the terms of that offer. That is not fair to the buyer. 

[wastingtime101]

............

[fern*wood]

If I wait too long to set my items in time away & lose power,  is there an easy way to set it on the ebay app on my ipad?  I don't do much on that & looked around, but didn't see anything.

[dhbookds]

@wastingtime101   Certainly didn't mean to suggest "abuse", I was thinking more of an emergency situation....akin to a a B &M store hanging up a sign......closed for today...possibly because of unexpected illness, etc.

Well, I see the post to which I replied was deleted........ hopefully my post can stand alone for the purpose of the question. 

Fact is there are exceptions with Time Away, some seemingly ridiculous, and if this is a possible workaround, might be good to know.

devon@ebaykyle@ebay 

Can you tell us whether changing business days would affect current auctions/offers, etc.  ?

[wirkaholic]

I in no way meant to be unfair to any buyer.  I just simply forgot not to send offers. Something I do daily.  I am human and make mistakes.  I've been here for over 20 yrs and have had my fair share.  I, unlike others try to fix them before there is a problem. 

 I also wasn't trying to abuse any system.  That's just not me.  Was just trying to adjust for any offers coming in.  Most my customers are super happy when they get a offer and don't mind waiting if they can get a deal. 

Navigating so may loops can be challenging at time even for experienced sellers.  We come here to ask for advice from someone that may have been in the same situation.  Not met with shaming.  It is just my opinion that if you put your store on vaccation mode it should include offers.  It is a offer of a cheaper price.  Like I said most people don't mind waiting.   The streets should be clear by Wednesday.  We are a rural town so were always last to get cleared.   Thank you to everyon who gave adivice.  We all need support every now and then.

Can I also say one last thing.  Lets just be kinder to each other this year.  There is enough hate in the world.

[fern*wood]

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@wirkaholic wrote:

Can I also say one last thing.  Lets just be kinder to each other this year.  There is enough hate in the world.

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That's something we need every year, but has definitely taken a hit in the last ten years or so.

[fbusoni]

@fern*wood 

Yes, I use the iPhone app and I set my time away on the app this morning.

[wastingtime101]

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@fern*wood wrote:

If I wait too long to set my items in time away & lose power,  is there an easy way to set it on the ebay app on my ipad?  I don't do much on that & looked around, but didn't see anything.

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Yes, very easy @fern*wood .

1. On the app click My eBay then scroll to the bottom of that page and click on Settings.

2. Scroll down the Settings page to the Selling section. Click on Time Away.

The rest is self-explanatory.

[fbusoni]

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@wirkaholic wrote:

It is just my opinion that if you put your store on vaccation mode it should include offers. 

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@wirkaholic 

I agree fully.  The changes to the dates by which a seller is obligated to ship SHOULD be reset globally.

Ironically, from a coding perspective, this is computer science 101.

But because eBay's various departments for all the world appear to not communicate with one another,  there will likely never be an adjustment made. 

NOTE: if anyone from eBay is reading this, and you decide to implement my idea, please mail me a check for $1,000.  Thank you.

[wastingtime101]

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@wirkaholic wrote:

It is just my opinion that if you put your store on vaccation mode it should include offers. 

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I fully agree. And if you look at the exceptions in detail, you'll see why I think it's kind of ridiculous.

• Second Chance Offers
• Auto-accepted offers
• Pending counter-offers
• Seller initiated offers accepted during Time Away

Note that manually accepted offers from buyers are not on the list. Manually accepted offers will have the extended handling time, but auto-accepted offers won't? Plus all the rest.

Seems pretty obvious eBay should program the extended handling time in all offer situations. Even if seller-initiated before Time Away, all they need to do is update the estimated delivery date shown before the buyer accepts the offer - maybe add a time away banner to the offer screen the buyer sees, just like they do to the seller's store front.

[fern*wood]

Thanks, good to know.  I really should learn to use that thing more.😒

Okay--I just looked & am a bit embarrassed because I should have been able to find that, but I think laziness has unfortunately set in.

[wirkaholic]

Thanks @wastingtime101  I didn't even think about the part of manual offers.  I see what you are saying.  I just took it as all offers.  I don't have automatic offers turned on.  I only use manual offers.  I'm hoping that the manual offers are included in time away.  I wouldn't use manual offers during time away.  I'll be too busy shoveling snow to get out and keeping fuel in the generator.  We always loose power in bad storms.  My shop will be o.k.   It's in town and had new lines and tranformers installed last storm.   I'm prepairing for the worst.  That usually works out where the storm passes us by.  It only hits if I'm not prepaired..lol