vacation, what should I do?

[train_slide_central]

I am going on vacation on October 10 for 14 days.  What should I do? Should I turn off my store?  Looking for advice here. TY. 

[lakefor94]

I always shut it all the way off for vacation. No sales allowed until I am getting on the plane to return.

Keep an eye out for returns. Sellers still have to deal with returns within the time limits. There is no getting away from that.

[kath.layn · Accepted solution]

That’s what I would do, and have done many times.  Use the “Time Away” feature, and I would recommend you check the box that does NOT allow buyers to purchase items while you are away.  If you’re only away for a few days you might decide to allow sales and set a longer handling time.  I would not trust eBay to adjust the required “Ship By” date for you. Good Luck!

[4pawsup*]

Vacation means having fun relaxing and i would close it up. Like the previous poster said if you have someone who can check for returns if not just check in once a day if you have sales that may return.

Have a good  time.

[spark-chaser1]

There is another thread going where someone let their store continue running while they were unable to maintain it, and it didn't work out very well... Definitely put things on hold and have a great vacation.

[m60driver]

Not only should you shut off all sales but do it at a least week before departure to avoid any possible return or refund issues while away.  I end all my sales two weeks before a departure.  But then when I go on vacation I am a bit off the grid.

[reallynicestamps]

Although some sellers leave their listing viewable, I think this is annoying to the buyer who finally finds the Perfect Thing aaaannd they can't buy it because the seller is away for two weeks. Arrgh.

Starts off the transaction poorly.

My preference is to make my listings invisible from the day before I leave until at the earliest the day before I get home. And preferably the day after I get home because jet lag.

I will note that this past month my sales have been off, partly due to closing down, which was expected, but also because, when our sales are slow, we drop lower in Search.  Since I expected this, it doesn't bother me much.

[dnasilver]

We have used the time away option multiple times every year. Not once did eBay fail to move out the ship date. Have you experienced the opposite?

[inhawaii]

Don't forget to unplug the iron and turn off the stove.

Have a great vacation!

Quick story.

Years ago before I went on vacation,

I think this was before the away mode was available,

I typed a bold, red "NOTICE" on all my listings that I will be gone on vacation 

from _____ to _____ and please do not bid/buy my items.

When I got back from vacation, I was hit with 20-30 sales waiting to ship out.

Asking the people not to bid/buy your items is a sure fire way to increase sales.

[candd205]

I usually put a 20 day handling time on my items and let them continue being available for sale. Then if I get a sale, I send them a message asking them if they noticed the long handling time and if that is ok. If not OK, I cancel as buyer's request. If it is ok with them, then I be sure to message all buyers when I actually get the item in the mail.