eBay Guaranteed Delivery Date Issues

[partlogics]

I've been having a huge issue with eBay's guaranteed delivery. USPS is understandably overworked and working slower than ever; but that means delivery and transit delays. Some customers are understanding while others are not. And I can't do anything about it; I get in line every day (Saturdays included) to ensure a receipt and an acceptance scan; that's proof enough for some customers that I did everything I could, but some customers stick to the "guaranteed delivery date", which is a promise I never made to the customer, heck even the Post Office does not give guaranteed dates, just estimates (notable exception being Priority Express).

In other words, I'm handling all my packages on time or before time. Half my packages even go out same-day even though the handling time is for 1 business day. eBay needs to add a couple of days to their guaranteed delivery date considering everything that's going on. I can't even fault the customers, they need their items and they need them by the date promised; eBay needs to extend that promise by a few days. 

I have never had this many INRs open at any given time. And what really scares me is an INR closing with a refund; and the item being delivered to the customer the next day. That's happened to me once in the past and the official response was simply, "ask the customer to pay again". Right, as if that'll happen. 

[gamersbaystore]

I have over a dozen packages running late right now, and am also worried its going to end with a bunch of INR's. I had a dozen more arrive late this past week, and was lucky no one whined about it.

Despite changing my handling times to 2 days, ebay has continued to lie to customers with unrealistic shipping estimates anyway.

I only offer standard shipping by default, which is 5 business days. yet the estimates ebay gives buyers is almost always 3 or 4 days. With 2 days handling time, I should have 7 business days to get my items to buyers, ebay says I have 3 or 4.

ebay is even giving 5 day estimates for media mail items I ship like movies. USPS has never guaranteed 5 day delivery on anything with media mail.

I don't know why its so difficult for ebay to honor our shipping policies.

[mtgraves7984]

It was addressed in an announcement on 3/18... "Protecting your seller performance during COVID-19"

We know that COVID-19 is creating unprecedented challenges for many eBay sellers, and our thoughts go out to all those affected.

Ebay realizes that flexibility in business operations is essential right now. We want to reassure you that you will not be penalized for being unable to carry out usual operations. We understand there may be situations where you can’t get an item out the door as fast as normal or you have to unexpectedly cancel an order. So in supporting your needs, your Seller Performance Standards will not be negatively impacted during this period.

Your account will be protected from being downgraded from the upcoming March 20th seller performance standard evaluation until the June 20th evaluation.

I've not seen anything more...

[ittybitnot]

As a buyer, I have purchased quite a few things lately.  Two out of 15 parcels arrived "on time".  I can clearly see these things have been shipped (most the same or next day) but they are simply not moving very quickly.  Items that previously took three to five days are now taking seven to twelve days to arrive.  I am sure it is stressful for sellers.  

eBay simply won't change the algorithm they use that heavily weighs your shipping "behavior" as opposed to reality.   If I bought from you, I am not going to file an INR.....

[oldtownrhoda]

I understand that Ebay is protecting us as posted above, but that still does not address the issue of over promising delivery to the customers. If our customers are unhappy, then they won't return to us. And happy, return customers are what everyone wants, right?

[gwzcomps]

@partlogics You could always up your handling time to make the shipping date later. I upped mine to 5 days for various reasons. I haven't noticed too big of a hit to my electronics sales despite the 5 day handling period.

[evry1nositswindy]

Even priority is running slow.  I have been messaging my buyers, but still had one open a case.  The package finally arrived...after the refund.

Can't eBay just add 3-5 days to all estimated dates?  That would sure help sellers.  I have never had so many late packages, inquiries opened with the USPS, and stressful days.  I had several things that I ordered arrive a week late.  I didn't open a case when the date passed.  Why stress out the seller?  Be patient.

[partlogics]

Exactly. I'll give you one example, please see pictures.

Item purchased April 29

Item shipped April 29

eBay's guaranteed delivery promised this customer a delivery on May 2. It reached on May 4.

None of this is within my control. This specific listing is "free returns" so I'm not even worried about a negative.  But This was a $7.99 sale with about $3 shipping one-way. Now I'm paying return shipping as well for a total of $6 so far (really should have just refunded but there are a million things on my mind just like everyone else these days). I don't see how I can improve on this. I can set a longer handling time and might have to (as per a few suggestions here), to make up for eBay's inattention to this issue. 

And right now I have about 45 packages without scans for 5 days. This is getting more and more stressful by the day, when all I'm doing for hours is typing out apologies on behalf of eBay's guaranteed program and USPS's inability to deliver on time these days. 

The other day I had someone tell me I should have shipped Priority if the PO is running slow these days. I told them in no uncertain terms that I'd be out of business by 5PM if I started paying $7.25 to ship a $7.99 product. 

[cynthealee2]

If y'all are IN "Guaranteed Delivery" I would opt OUT until USPS catches up again.

https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf <<< top should be a place to "edit" then the next page should be the opt out option.

You can always opt back IN after this is over... 

Once you opt out, change handling time out 3 days (or more) and continue to ship as you do now it SHOULD over time stretch out your estimated time of delivery.

[ed8108]

You are absolutely correct, that disappointing buyers is not a wise practice for ebay