eBay

keziak · ‎03-19-2024

I don't have much in my TOS and nothing about my handling time which is 3 business days. I get too many questions from people like "when are you going to ship?" I feel bad about that but it's hard to keep up between ebay and Amazon. Anyway, do you have language in your TOS about handling time and do you recommend that? Or do people not read it anyway? Maybe your handling time is much faster than mine. I ship faster when I can manage it and also on Saturdays but I still bump up against the 3rd day a lot.

my-cottage-books-and-antiques · ‎03-19-2024

I don't mention handling time in my TOS. (In fact, unless its an old listing, I don't have a TOS). But my handling time is one business day, and depending on when the sale is made and how much time I have, I often send same day. So it's generally not an issue. I also leave feedback when I come back from the PO that notes that the item is on its way, so if the buyer is the type who keeps an eye on their feedback, they'll see I sent the item.

We are all in different situations. I think if I were doing a three day handling time, I'd consider 1. Having it in my TOS and 2. sending an email to the buyer after their purchase, thanking them for their purchase and letting them know their item will ship on "x". You could create a template email to do that, so you'd only have to insert the correct date, rather than retype the message for every sale.

soh.maryl · ‎03-19-2024

Have never been able to understand why "handling time" makes a difference to a buyer.

Each listing includes an estimated delivery date.

When a buyer makes a purchase, he is shown that EDD. If it's too far in the future for his needs, he simply should not buy.

But after he buys, there is no reason or need for him to ask when the seller will ship.

Hopefully, the seller will ship so that the item arrives before, on or within a few days of the EDD.

If that doesn't happen, the buyer (hopefully) knows what to do.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎03-19-2024

@keziak wrote: .... I get too many questions from people like "when are you going to ship?" ....

Well, including a comment about your 3-day handling time MIGHT help to avoid some of those questions. IMHO it's one of those "can't hurt, might help" situations. Buyers are accustomed to most eBay sellers, and other venues like Amazon, shipping on the same or next day so one way or another you want to adjust their expectations.

But keep in mind that if a buyer is asking that in the first place, it might be an indication that they aren't reading the listing closely enough to see the estimated delivery date, and might not see your explanation about handling time either. If you do include it, give an example to illustrate that it's 3 BUSINESS days, such as "For instance, if you pay on Thursday, I will ship by Tuesday."

chariot_badges · ‎03-19-2024

Every store is different.

Every owner is different.

I am not a slave to my side gig.

I set my ship time at 4 days, and I (usually) ship every three. That means that many ship the same day they order, and some ship the next day.

I sell exterior auto body trim parts.

There are usually no emergency needs in what I sell, but I do have a couple of body shops that are regulars, and I don't want them waiting on parts from me so I get THEIRS out right away.

chapeau-noir · ‎03-19-2024

I have two day shipping (which I don't detail) but usually ship the next day. If I had three day shipping I would say something.

Hell is empty. And all the devils are here.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎03-19-2024

@soh.maryl wrote: ... Each listing includes an estimated delivery date.
When a buyer makes a purchase, he is shown that EDD. ...But after he buys, there is no reason or need for him to ask when the seller will ship.....

And yet they do ask.

I suspect that either these impatient buyers just don't pay attention to the information that's provided in the listing, or maybe they saw it on the day of purchase but then two days after purchase they forgot about that info and are wondering why they haven't gotten the "shipped" notification.

keziak · ‎03-19-2024

I see the wisdom in that.

keziak · ‎03-19-2024

That is actually a perfect example because I have many auctions end Thursday and end up shipping by Tuesday but some people may not think in terms of business days. When I brought this up in response to one query recently the buyer wrote back, embarrassed that they didn't think of it.

keziak · ‎03-19-2024

It's interesting because if I get the "where's my book?" query I respond pronto by giving the latest date I'll ship and people almost always thank me. For what, being slow? Apparently for answering.

stainlessenginecovers · ‎03-19-2024

Just use 5 days- then it shows with a yellow banner right below 'buy it now' or 'bid' buttons. Then, if you ship 'earlier'- you will be a hero (to some)- but I STILL get messages with 'when are you going to ship' yet my item has that banner, the 'handling item' on the shipping tab states 5 days and in my Written Description it is VERY clear that we 'build to order and ship in 5 business days'...but some/many (who knows) buyers don't bother scrolling down to read the written description (and those on a phone have to click a button 'see seller description' (which is REALLY horrible).

lisa5768 · ‎03-19-2024

It can't hurt to try adding it and see if anything changes. I have my 2 day handling in my description so buyers know if they read it. I don't get the "when are you going to ship" questions. Not sure if it is because they see it in the description or if I ship fast enough they don't have time to wonder. I don't sell books or other items that buyers are used to having things delivered the next day by the other sites.

lisa5768
Volunteer Community Mentor

pjcdn2005 · ‎03-19-2024

Some people probably worry that if it isn't shipped right away, they will not get it in time. People tend to check tracking every day too. I don't really understand that either but it is just the way some people are.

redlinear · ‎03-19-2024

@soh.maryl wrote:
Have never been able to understand why "handling time" makes a difference to a buyer.
Each listing includes an estimated delivery date.
When a buyer makes a purchase, he is shown that EDD. If it's too far in the future for his needs, he simply should not buy.
But after he buys, there is no reason or need for him to ask when the seller will ship.
Hopefully, the seller will ship so that the item arrives before, on or within a few days of the EDD.
If that doesn't happen, the buyer (hopefully) knows what to do.

Where's my tracking number?? (as if that's going to get it there faster..LOL)

redlinear · ‎03-19-2024

I usually won't buy something if I think it's going to set there three days after I pay for it.
Part of your job as an online seller is ship asap.
For 99% of what a person sells online, it should be shipped within a day (weekends excluded).