Free Shipping - Max Delivery Time

[patille-0]

Hello, Has Free Shipping always had a maximum delivery time of 4 days?  So even if I post the item with a 3 day handling time to cover USPS delays it is not used in calculating the guaranteed delivery time.  I was not aware of this.  I have been a seller for about 5 years.  I may have to stop using Free Delivery.   I would appreciate your insight.

[ms.rodriguez*]

If you see that , then it's another example of Ebay stretching the truth.  Like others stated, ebay has no clue if seller is shipping first class mail or priority or media. Also, everyone knows that east coast to west coast transactions can take 5-7 days for first class mail.  ALL first class mail is now trucked across the 48 states.

[stacy_pme]

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"@pjcdn2005 wrote:  No it doesn't indicate that they automatically get their money back if the item arrives late. But if any item arrives after the estimated delivery date (free shipping or not) , ebay has said that the buyer can open a not as described return request  if an item is late.  I don't think that most buyer will do that though."

Ummm not really, if CSRs are advising that, they are dead wrong.... If an item doesn't arrive by the lastest estimated delivery date, the buyer can open an ITEM NOT RECEIVED.  Opening ITEM NOT AS DESCRIBED would be an incorrect proceedure, and the seller would be covered under ebay seller protections for that.   These are two very different protocols....j/s....

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• If the item doesn't match the listing description, or if it is faulty or arrived damaged, you may be eligible for eBay Money Back Guarantee. This means that you can return it even if the seller's returns policy says they don't accept returns   
  
  

  Misuse of returns or the eBay Money Back Guarantee

  Engaging in activity as described in the Abusive buyer policy may result in a range of actions, including issuing warnings to buyers, blocking buyers from requesting returns or refunds on eBay, blocking buyers from opening claims, the loss of eBay Money Back Guarantee coverage, and account suspension.

  Activity that is not allowed includes, but is not limited to:

  • Opening duplicate requests using other buyer protection programs
  • Colluding with a seller to wrongly declare an item's value for customs
  • Filing a chargeback after receiving a refund
  • Claiming an item was not received when there is proof of delivery to the buyer's address on the Order Details
  • Falsely claiming an item was not as described
  • Returning an item other than the original item received
  • Using or damaging an item and then returning it
  ~https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/returning-item?id=4041

Frequently Asked Questions

How am I protected from abusive buyers?

If eBay finds a buyer's behavior is abusive, we will take action on the buyer and remove negative and neutral feedback and defects, including opened cases in service metrics.

What if something happens that is outside of my control?

We will protect you by removing negative and neutral feedback and defects when things happen that are outside your control, such as weather or carrier delays, or when the item arrives late but tracking shows you shipped on time.
~https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-protection-policy?id=4345

If a buyer doesn’t receive their item, they’re entitled to a refund unless you can provide tracking information showing that it was delivered.

Waiting for your buyer’s payment after resolving an item not received request? See our page on payments holds on your sold items

Are you a buyer who hasn’t received the item you bought? Read our article on what to do if you haven’t received your item

If your buyer hasn’t received their item and the estimated delivery date has passed, they’ll let you know there’s an issue by opening an “item not received” request.

If a buyer opens a request, we’ll send a message with all of the details to your registered email address—it’ll also be available in your eBay Messages.

Once a request is opened, you have 3 business days to resolve the issue. After that time, either you or the buyer can ask us to step in to help resolve the issue.
~https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/helping-buyers-items-not-received?id=4116  

[calicorecordsandcds]

I am not tracking what you are asking.  I do free delivery 4 days is not max at all in fact it is really amazingly fast.  Handling time is not same as delivery time so you lost me there.  I do next day though most of my items go out same day.  Typical delivery time for my items is 4 days though depending on distance some make it in 2 even one now and then.  Also your delivery time will have a lot to do with how you ship what the items are.  I for one will not  get rid of free shipping.  It is better to ship free than let ebay do it however.

[patille-0]

My concern is what the buyer sees when they view my item.   What are their expectations?   I had a buyer who purchased Monday, I shipped Tuesday, and he told me after I shipped it that he wanted to receive it Thursday or Friday. 

Just so you know ...I use calculated shipping with some of my items and free shipping for others...especially for my scarves that I sell.  With calculated shipping I do not allow eBay to do it however.   I weigh my item with anticipated packaging.  If it is below 15.9 ounces, I select USPS First Class only for shipping.  If it is above, I cannot use First Class, so I choose 2 or 3 other USPS options and I enter a zip code for the West Coast (I am on the East Coast) and another zip for distance mid-way across US to see the least expensive shipping that those buyers would have to pay to receive that item.  Then I can price my item with that in mind. 

[patille-0]

Wow.  I love your last paragraph!  I may try that.  I tested Free Shipping with one of my items using 1,2,3, & 4 days handling.  I am going to mention my results in a separate message.  It is puzzling.  Thank you for your help.

[patille-0]

You are so dear to look at my items to investigate.  Thank you!  I thought I had changed all of those Standard Envelope ones to First Class.  I will go back and check on that.  You are not the only one who has mentioned that eBay uses past shipping history instead of handling days plus shipping time.  I usually have great shipping time especially to California and Washington (2 or 3 days).  I think it is because my mail to those locations is flown to the West Coast.  But I don't like a seller to feel that they are guaranteed a certain shipping time because USPS can be unpredictable especially around Christmas.  I tested one of my items with Free Shipping using different days of handling and the results were inconsistent.  I will post a new message so all of you can see it.