Need a little help.

[mike_jayroe]

My brother passed away, and I want to stay open, but due to my brother being a hoarder, I will be spending a lot of time clearing out the house. I might not be able to get the orders out on time. Which is the best "time away" option to notify anyone who might place an order?

Thanks for any advice.

[wastingtime101]

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.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[klhmdg]

I would not allow sales.

Seems you have enough to deal with without throwing sales and potential returns and shipping items into the mix.

Just close and deal with the hoard. 

[fbusoni]

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@klhmdg wrote:

I would not allow sales.

Seems you have enough to deal with without throwing sales and potential returns and shipping items into the mix.

Just close and deal with the hoard. 

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I second this advice. 

Time away settings can very rapidly be overtaken by events that one has not anticipated.  

And extending your time away will not, as far as I know, relieve you of the obligation to pack up and ship whatever items you have sold in the meantime (in the event you have allowed sales).

[dhbookds]

I agree to shut down temporarily........you can always start it up again when you get a handle on how you're going to deal with the stuff.....but I imagine the beginning is going to be overwhelming.......

also, certainly sorry for your loss.........

[mike_jayroe]

Thanks. Guess I will just end listings until I finish. Worst part is his a.c. unit quit. The one window I can get to doesn't want to open. It is in the 90's and with the heat index, over a hundred degrees. What fun.

Thanks again.

[wastingtime101]

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@mike_jayroe wrote:

Worst part is his a.c. unit quit. The one window I can get to doesn't want to open. It is in the 90's and with the heat index, over a hundred degrees.

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That doesn't sound safe. Can you wait a few weeks for the heat to go down? Can you get an A/C unit in the window if you can get it unstuck?

If it's stuck due to humidity/heat and swelling you can run a hair dryer for 10 min to dry out the wood. Can also try WD-40 to loosen things and take a hammer and block of wood to gently tap the sides of the frame and slightly widen it enough to get the window to slide.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@mike_jayroe wrote: ... his a.c. unit quit. The one window I can get to doesn't want to open. ...

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Take care of yourself. Prioritize getting the AC operational and/or at least getting that window unstuck regardless of the force required. Or start by shoveling out access to some other window which you can open or even install a window AC. Also consider hiring somebody to do the cleanup or at least help you with it. Depending on his community, there might even be volunteers to help if you put the word out.

You don't have to end listings; time away has the option to hide all your listings and also block sales, so you won't lose your Watchers. The maximum Time Away setting is 30 days so you might have to renew. Even with listings ended or with Time Away set, you might hear from recent buyers who have a problem with their transaction and want to do returns or file claims for "Not received" or "Not as described," so check on the eBay account daily even if you have ended your listings or used the strictest Time Away setting.

[hollysfinds]

I'm very sorry for the loss of your brother.

My family has recently dealt with deaths in the family & clearing out houses.

Trust me when I tell you that it always takes longer than you think.

It's a difficult process even when the person who passed was not a hoarder.

There is just a lot to deal with.

Take the advice given & put your listings on time away.

Ebay is not something you want to deal with while your clearing a house.

I really hope you can get some AC going in his home.

[mike_jayroe]

I am thinking I will be done by the end of August or early Sept. Its a split level so once I can make it safe I will get as much stuff set up for a weekend estate sale, and what doesn't sell, I will give to Purple heart or Goodwill. Figure 4 weekends total just for the housing section. Then the garage. 

Luckily I have neighbors who are willing to help with the selling and maybe moving parts. Hopefully I can room for a strong fan.

Thanks all for the help.