eBay has UNREALISTIC shipping metrics expectations

[shag182]

I just searched for my auctions and put in a NYC zip for shipping. I'm on one of the LEFT (West) OR, WA, CA coast states.

I have 3 days handling time, USPS PRIORITY.  I usually send out the next day, but I always mark 3 days handling just to give a cushion. 

So, if the buyer buys today. 3 days handling, I could send out on Wednesday at the latest, and eBay says to expect it on Friday, the 30th??? Really??? With USPS being unreliable these days, it's setting up for some hit and miss expectations, and the sellers are the fall guys.

eBay is trying to CHASE Amazon in delivery times, and NO questions ask RETURN policies. Dumb!

[emerald1830]

Why such large fonts and massive memes?..It's very hard to read and now with all this added white space..it's actually a headache..

[shag182]

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@emerald1830 wrote:

Why such large fonts and massive memes?..It's very hard to read and now with all this added white space..it's actually a headache..

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 😛

[laperlalady]

Mine is worse. 

First class shipping gives my buyers next day delivery. 

Been calling once a week on this issue since late November. 

[ma_377545]

thank you ! thank you very much 

[chapeau-noir]

Ugh.

[annadryl]

Good grief, Elvis gets dragged into it now.

[doog_si_efil]

Ugh, yeah. I concur. Just last month I had to pay expedited shipping fees to meet eBay's timeline and customer's expectation. Maybe we should have a say in this.

[luckythewinner]

With USPS being unreliable these days, it's setting up for some hit and miss expectations, and the sellers are the fall guys.

Have you had any specific issues with delivery dates being missed and buyers complaining? 

I have 3 day handling on all six of my selling accounts, and I have never looked at eBay's estimates. But I can't recall having a buyer complain about missing an estimated delivery date.

[southern*sweet*tea]

You're handling time doesn't matter if you regularly ship before the handling time deadline. Ebay goes off your historical shipping time.

I get around this by using economy flat rate shipping and shipping FCM. Since most of my stuff is 8 ounces or less, I just ship for a flat $3.50, $3.75 or $3.95.  Buyer sees ten days for delivery and gets it in four or five.   I have a one day handling time. Works for me.

Of course, if you have to use calculated shipping this isn't going to work.

[shag182]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

With USPS being unreliable these days, it's setting up for some hit and miss expectations, and the sellers are the fall guys.

Have you had any specific issues with delivery dates being missed and buyers complaining? 

I have 3 day handling on all six of my selling accounts, and I have never looked at eBay's estimates. But I can't recall having a buyer complain about missing an estimated delivery date.

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For me personally, NO.

But then again, I'm a small time seller and I can keep track of all the packages that I've sent out. The ones I see "late in transit", I DO message my buyer(s) informing them of the late status, and reassuring them it will arrive likely in a day or two, if NOT, then I will open up a missing mail search to find out what the Sam Hill is going on??? LOL. Also, informing the buyer, if it's lost, then I will refund after XXXX amount of days, since it's insured, so NO worries.😊  My buyers appreciate the communication, and even put it in their positive feedbacks.

Almost all my late / later than the expected date, arrived, and delivered within 1 to 3 days after the expected USPS date.  A few arrive a week after the expected date. But, I mostly always insure, and use sig confirmation on all my packages, which averages around $300, just to cover the bases. If the buyer says they never received it, but shows delivered (Sig confirm will discourage that scam), or if it's lost somehow by the USPS, it's insured.

[max-list]

Wow I didn't know that. Most of the time I ship same or next day, thinking I was doing the buyer a favor, (I have 3 day handling) but looks like I'm just risking getting complaints. Guess I'll take my time now. Thanks.

[vintagecraze50]

My thoughts are, why use an unreliable shipping method like USPS, when there are other options. Yes, may be a bit more expensive, but RELIABLE.

[inhawaii]

I thought you left (or were leaving) ebay?