can changing your handling time while on vacation affect algorithm?

[glamsquadinc1]

I usually put my store on vacation but this time I switched to increasing my handling Time while away for 5 days. I actually ended up having an increase in sales while away. Upon my return I switched my time back to 2 days and have had close to zero sales in my first full week back from vacay. I’m a seasoned seller and know my pattern. I always sell daily (6-12) items daily ALWAYS. In 5 years this is a first for me. Where I usually have 30 items to drop off on Monday morning - today I only have 5 sales from the entire weekend. As I said, this has never happened so it’s not just a case “slow sales”. Did I do something wrong to upset the almighty ebay algorithm? I’m officially in panic mode because I have no sales 😢. Hope something can shed some light. No sarcastic or mean comments please. 

[valuestore]

If it was working for 5 straight years, I wouldnt change a thing and just wait... and of course never take another vacation (joking).  

[glamsquadinc1]

Hahaha.... that’s exactly what i thought. This is what I get for taking a vacay. The thing is... as soon as I get back from my trip I put my handling time right back to 2 days shipping like I always have. And literally no sales. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 

[lex-talon]

I've seen similar posts like yours; where a seller goes on vacation, increases their handling time, resulting in increased sales.

You only have five sales so far this weekend? Some sellers would be delighted to have that many on a weekend. I know I certainly would, lol. Why not stay with a five day handling time, if you're having increased sales?

[glamsquadinc1]

I only increased to 5 days to cover my holidays. I’m back to a 2 day handling time which is much better for buyers as it’s faster. It just doesn’t make sense that this happened? I’m grateful for all my sales but when it should be 30 and it’s 5.... panic has a funny way of sinking in because you assume you did something wrong. 

[frodobagginskennedy]

We went away for almost three weeks.  I increased my handling time to 20 business days and put store on vacation.  My sales were rocking most of August.

Came home went down to 3 days handling and off vacation.  Sales are SLLLOOOWWW.  Weird. 

[glamsquadinc1]

Well isn’t that interesting! That’s exactly what happened to me too. Makes no sense. Hope our sales swing back like they did while we were on vacay.... go figure 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

(Thanks for replying 😊)

[dasarock]

hrmmmmm … you might consider going back on vacation, lol.   and just mail at your normal interval during the increased handling time?  if it makes sales - use it !!!

[tamaralea]

The same thing happened to me.  It is very strange.

[glamsquadinc1]

Makes zero sense. 5 day shipping timeframe and I get 60 sales the week I was away. My first week back I literally dropped off 12 packages for the ENTIRE WEEK 😢. I called Ebay (not sure why?) and they said my account is just fine .. no issues. Uh oh. Ok. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[glamsquadinc1]

Hahaha... right? I did better on vacation then during a regular work week with 2 day handling. Ebay wasn’t helpful. I just got the runaround. And the mystery continues 🤷🏻‍♀️😑

[bigdeals.etc]

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@frodobagginskennedy wrote:

We went away for almost three weeks.  I increased my handling time to 20 business days and put store on vacation.  My sales were rocking most of August.

Came home went down to 3 days handling and off vacation.  Sales are SLLLOOOWWW.  Weird. 

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Little OT, but when you had 20 day handling, did you get a lot of buyers who kept hounding you to ship their item (like they didn't pay attention to the ETA) and assumed they would get their item in 2-3 days?

I recently had 10 day handling and it brought on a slew of buyers wondering why I haven't shipped yet, some were quite aggressive.

[frodobagginskennedy]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

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@frodobagginskennedy wrote:

We went away for almost three weeks.  I increased my handling time to 20 business days and put store on vacation.  My sales were rocking most of August.

Came home went down to 3 days handling and off vacation.  Sales are SLLLOOOWWW.  Weird. 

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Little OT, but when you had 20 day handling, did you get a lot of buyers who kept hounding you to ship their item (like they didn't pay attention to the ETA) and assumed they would get their item in 2-3 days?

I recently had 10 day handling and it brought on a slew of buyers wondering why I haven't shipped yet, some were quite aggressive.

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I had two that questioned where their stuff was.  I messaged them I was on vacation .  They immediately apologized for not reading the notice.   Even had my first FedEx package to missing.  The customer was uber chill about it.  I am due for a nasty....lol