Helping buyers understand shipping delays and what you need to do

[whiteyswrecking]

This is funny, WHAT WE NEED TO DO !!  that's right NO HELP FROM EBAY AGAIN.  THROW US UNDER THE BUS BECAUSE OF SHIPPING PROBLEMS. QUIT PROMISING OUR CUSTOMERS ( THATS RIGHT I SAID IT, OUR CUSTOMERS) NOT YOURS, YOU DO NOT CARRY ANY INVENTORY, WE DO (SELLERS) 

YOU OR US SELLERS CAN NOT PROMISE SHIPPING TIMES,

,  

[360jeep]

I just sent a message out to all my buyers, whose items are stuck in USPS limbo, and explained to them the reason for the delay in shipping. Hopefully they will understand and appreciate the fact that I let them know what was going on.  

My take, from reading these forums, is that eBay could care less about the issue. Add in all the turmoil and unhappiness with managed payments, all the scams, no help from eBay... selling here is becoming a sinking ship. 

[myboardid]

If a buyer asks about his package I explain. So far everyone has been patient about the delays. We'll see if that continues.

[portkoop-0]

Here's the problem...

If I message my buyers about this there's a chance some will open a case of INR as a result.

That's why ebay won't message them, sellers would throw the blame back at ebay.

What is ebay supposed to do?

If they "have the seller's back" then they lose buyers.

Can't win, you see?

[calntom]

I filed a PACKAGE RESEARCH CASE with USPS a couple of days ago. USPS actually just called me from St. Cloud MN. The man said that they are short on drivers for the trucks at this time to move the tractor trailer rigs to their destinations within the appropriate timeframes. The package is not lost, just delayed.

This package shipped on Dec 1st and apparently has been processed thru a Dallas area distribution center as of yesterday, the 10th.

Normally the package hits the Dallas distribution center the same evening and is on it's way by the next morning at the latest. 

I am ready to keep my buyers informed should they express concerns.  I am not doing any poking of the sleeping bears though I can understand some sellers taking a proactive approach.

[m60driver]

What you need to do as sellers is to send a message to Ebay and end your listings until Ebay backs the sellers in these times.  I ended most of my listings about 10 days ago.

[vintagecraze50]

If you are going to blame anyone or entity about this blame the USPS and their corrupt Postmaster General who has not a clue how to run a major operation like the USPS. 

[gadgetmans_attic]

eBay doesn't have any buyers the sellers do, and when they lose the sellers the ship will sink.

During these times the rules have to change is the bottom line and if you want to blame anything blame the virus.

I have to say shame on the buyers I didn't get my item by the estimated ((of a value or number) roughly calculated; approximate.) delivery date you know the rest of it.

Be safe

[centralave_records]

I have done the same thing with messaging my buyers and all so far have been nice and understanding. How long will that last is the question. I currently have 28 packages scanned in and accepted, with zero movement since November 30th & December 3rd. 

[bigdeals.etc]

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@myboardid wrote:

If a buyer asks about his package I explain. So far everyone has been patient about the delays. We'll see if that continues.

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https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping-Returns/Buyer-says-USPS-Covid-holiday-delay-is-nonsense/td-p/...

[oneglassman]

All your doing is punishing yourself.  Well I guess you will lose some sales.

[whiteyswrecking]

I have NO problem loosing sales due to others incompetence i sleep just fine. 

[powell-memorabilia]

I did the same thing today, after checking on recent shipments.  Starting ~Dec 6, at least half of my items are in limbo.  Some are showing tracking that doesn't make sense - dropping off at a post office in suburban Columbus (OH), 1.5 hours later processed at a postal center in Pennsylvania.  The guys at my post office were really confused by that one.  

Buyers have been extremely appreciative of my notes about the delays - that should help in some of them jumping the gun on INR's.  

I wish that more sellers would take this simple (and free) proactive step, instead of throwing their hands up, blaming eBay for everything.  Yes, I'd love it if eBay didn't tell buyers that their purchase will be there in x days, but some of this is on sellers.

[1grandmashope_1]

There is no blame...A virus has decimated our country and our families.  People are doing jobs to put food on their tables and a roof over their heads, although many are not really trained to do those jobs. But remember,  we all are in this together.  I hope that we all can get our stupid out of the way and see things clearly. 

Sale or don't.  Your individual choice.

Ebay is a platform. 

Use it or don't. 

Be an a** 

Or find kindness.

I wish everyone only good things and hope for all of our futures.

Grandma 

[ekmadonna]

"But Some of this is on Sellers" I see absolutely NOTHING on sellers if they ship within their stated handling time, NOTHING!