Time Away - need advice what message to send

[donnajosbooks]

I have an eBay Store and have started to list a lot more lately, trying to build up my business.  I actually have some repeat customers, and I would like to keep their interest.

I am going to do a short stint working Early Voting for 8 days, so I am not going to be away from the area; I just won't be as available as I usually am - and won't be able to get to the Post Office until it's over.  But I will be able to answer questions on my breaks.  

I am going to schedule "Time Away" and still allow my buyers to purchase items since it's only 8 days.  

What message should I automatically send my buyers who contact me?  Should I say why I'm away and why the packages will be delayed or is that too much information?  I think I should send some message but not sure what message to send.

[mike_jayroe]

I think letting people know why you are taking time off is okay. Tat way they know you are doing something important.

[dirk12955]

That's exactly the right info when responding to a message.

8 days?  Give yourself some extra time.    I was gone on vacation planning to return on a Wednesday.  

I set it up to show me returning Thursday in case I didn't want to be rushed.

It's important to change your handling time.    I'd change it to 10 days and you can switch it back

when you return.

Don't try to cut it too close.    You don't want to be walking in the door and have orders that 

need to be shipped that day or are already late.   

[buyselljack2016]

When I do time away I do not allow sales. All mine are BIN. 

Problem that I see with still selling "while away" are the buyers that just don't understand. Don't read, Don't listen, and have the "I want it now attitude". YMMV

BIN. Time away is supposed to automatically give the buyer an "estimated delivery" based upon the time away setting, but then there are again those "I want it now buyers", why haven't you shipped, I'm gonna return this when it gets here buyers".  again YMMV

[12345jamesstamps]

I did time away for 3 weeks still allowing buyers to buy last October. I just emailed everyone I am on vacation and item will be mailed when I return on "date". I had the best sales I have to admit. And was so busy the day I got back with new added sales. My buyers were cool and said have a great vacation. Just expect to be busy the day you return. I had like 50 orders to fill.

[wastingtime101]

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@donnajosbooks wrote:

What message should I automatically send my buyers who contact me?  Should I say why I'm away and why the packages will be delayed or is that too much information?  I think I should send some message but not sure what message to send.

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If you are allowing sales while on time away, an auto-response is a good idea. Leave out the voting info. It doesn't matter why you're away, only that you are away. Try something like this:

This store is on a temporary break. All orders will ship after we re-open on [date].  If you're wondering when your will arrive you can find the estimated delivery date on your purchase history page or order confirmation email.

If you have question about item details and would like an immediate answer, check out the full item description and item specifics to see if the information has already been provided. We will continue to answer inquiries within 24 hours during this time away.

Thanks!

Seller

[slippinjimmy]

I just keep it simple....

"I am away and offline until XX/XX, I will reply to your message as soon as I return."

I don't get many messages and probably half that I do are from buyers who have already purchased and their order has shipped.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

DO NOT CHANGE your handling time!!!!!!!!!!  Time Away already does that for you (tested & proven), if you ALSO change your handling time, you will double how long you're going to be gone in terms of shipping time.  Been there, done that.  

As for messages, I rarely use a message, but if I were to do one, I would not give any details other than I will be out of the office until {Date} & I will be available to answer questions or I will have limited internet access & will be unable to answer questions until {Date}. 

[gloryglorygifts]

Because of my health I have to use the time away more than I want to. My suggestions? Do not change your handling time. The Time away will show that you are away, on your listing, and tells the buyers not to expect it to ship until X date. Allow sales, otherwise ebay gives this great message to buyers saying that you do not have any items available for purchase, but here are some great competitors that you can shop with. (why do that?) 

I always have a message ready using the kiss method, "we are away until XX/XX/XX, but we will still respond to your messages. Just give us a day to get back to you. All shipments will be processed when we return to the office on xx/xx/xx. In the meantime, have a great week. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

My suggestion is:

People don't read and won't see that 'message' as long as your items are available for sale. 

Then; they buy and those same people do not pay ANY attention to the delivery dates.

Best thing to do is

a.) Block all sales while you are gone

and b....

Why are you being "gone" in the first place. You don't HAVE to get to the post office as the post office (USPS) will do pickups right from your door/porch etc. 

[donnajosbooks]

Thanks everyone for the good advice!