eBay

semperstraps · ‎04-01-2020

I'm facing this issue where, probably desperate not to lose revenues, or I don't know for what reason, it seems eBay has left the "delivery estimate date" the SAME, which as it is is usually wildly inaccurate for me (either too long or too short for most countries).

Obviously this is creating the wrong expectations with buyers and I have had many times fold more cases and them asking for refunds than usual.

Seems eBay did NOT even bother to put some simple message as many other companies did on their front page or at checkout for example, to make it clear to the buyers not to expect their items will arrive in the usual time.

If you are a seller as well, what is your experience with this?

bigdeals.etc · ‎04-02-2020

I’m out of the loop with the actual pre-emptive actions ebay has taken. But I have a question, did you extend your handling times in your listings yourself? Or are you saying ebay should be doing it for you?

nobody*s_perfect · ‎04-02-2020

The OP's post isn't about handling time. He's holding up his end, but the estimated delivery date that eBay posts for his international buyers is extremely inaccurate. I gave up international hipping many years ago, so I'm not in a position to make an informed opinion, but it does seem to me that it might be a good idea to stop offering international shipping for a while.

orangehound · ‎04-02-2020

@semperstraps wrote:
Seems eBay did NOT even bother to put some simple message as many other companies did on their front page or at checkout for example, to make it clear to the buyers not to expect their items will arrive in the usual time.

If you are a seller as well, what is your experience with this?

eBay's software development/change is chaotic, mistake-prone, and slow. I wouldn't expect them to act quickly. As for delivery times, eBay uses historical delivery times to construct their delivery estimates, so it would make sense that their software doesn't account for a sudden disruption.

But, we are not software ... we are humans. We can look at the current delivery situation and make adjustments in real time. To the point, I think a seller is making a bad business decision to sell internationally during this pandemic lockdown (unless they use the Global Shipping Program) ... it is a formula for loss. But if one does try to sell, the handling times need to be maximized for the next couple of months.

semperstraps · ‎04-05-2020

Well, its Ok if you are based in US and most of your customers are there too, but in my case if I restricted sales to my country only (CZ) then I’d be making about 1-2 sales per month, most of my customers are in US/CA, Western and Northern Europe etc.

You would think the eBay geniuses would at least consider putting a simple note, when clients order, like “hey, we’re in a global pandemic, it might take a while” instead of leaving the delivery estimate dates fully in place, no doubt they did that rationally, so as to preserve their level of business, and at the same time screwing the seller big-time while doing so...but why am I even surprised anymore, eBay’s handling of those who pay them is notoriously atrocious ☹️

andypa_81 · ‎04-05-2020

Maybe they're expecting the sellers to extend handling time and take some responsibility.

semperstraps · ‎04-05-2020

Really? Do you work for eBay? What you’re saying makes sense as a way to protect myself, which I am considering doing, but what is eBay doing to handle the situation? If I keep having to refund disgruntled clients BECAUSE eBay showed them a date/an expectation, we might call it promise, which is completely out of whack with the reality of these days, its a lose-lose-lose situation for all parties involved, including eBay.

corvettestainless · ‎04-05-2020

Delivery time says 4/16 to 5/4 (3 week swing, 5 weeks from now) and also states 'if going through customs, more time may be added)-

so why the thread?

earlyant-77 · ‎04-06-2020

@andypa_81 wrote:
Maybe they're expecting the sellers to extend handling time and take some responsibility.

How do you know which country the listing would be sold to when you are listing?

If you just change the handling time on all listings, then other potential buyers more local might pass it by due to the extended handling time.

semperstraps · ‎04-06-2020

Exactly!

semperstraps · ‎04-14-2020

I did that eventually too, last week, increased it from 2 business days to 5 business days. Guess what? The estimated delivery date stayed exactly THE SAME as before the change, despite me adding 3 business days, as well as there being Easter in the meantime 😞

Looks like eBay is preparing us/me for tons of "item not received" cases, thanks to their greed, as I'm sure they are absolutely aware of the situation, but instead of showing to buyers more appropriate estimated delivery dates, in line with the crazy situation we are going thru, it shows them the same dates as before, to not have an impact on sales/their fees.

If it continues I guess I have no choice by to put all my listings on hold. Just can't believe eBay can behave in such an irrational way at this time

semperstraps · ‎04-14-2020

Don't know what you're looking at, I am looking at precise transactions and comparing the ETA delivery dates before and after COVID...and they're the SAME , no changes at all.