Shut the shop down or extend handling times?

[nostalgiadonut]

Hey all,

The postal delays are becoming a real problem for everyone.  Since December 4th, I probably have about 20 packages in limbo right now.  I'm worried about buyers opening INR cases, eBay forcing refunds, and then having USPS deliver their package after the fact. I've never been in that situation, so I'm not sure how that scenario plays out for the seller.    

What are you guys doing?  Is it better to close up the shop this weekend and reopen after the holidays?  The other idea I had was to add an extended handling time to my listings - I'd still be shipping regularly, but the extended handling time might mitigate those postal delays and prevent buyers from opening INR cases.

How's everyone dealing with less than ideal situation?

[yuzuha]

I should add, my response would probably be different if there were delays at my local distribution center, but so far everything is being processed through and sent on its way the same night it's been shipped. Any delays are purely on the other receiving end.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@southern*sweet*tea wrote:

I have one day handling, always have. I've kept that since handling times go by historical shipping times, not by the time you specify.  (makes no sense, I know, but it is what it is)

What I did do was edit all of my shipping to flat rate economy. Most of my items ship either Media Mail or First Class Package, so most of my listings specify flat rate economy of $3.50-$4.25. This extends the arrival time out by several days. So far I've not had an issue with it.  If you can do this, it's the way to go. If you have to use calculated shipping it's not going to be possible.

That said, I had three packages that were delayed in the past month. I filled out mail traces for all three. Two were delivered earlier this week, and the last one is out for delivery today. Back in August I had one that disappeared for a month, but I filled out a search form and it was eventually found and delivered.  All of this was done proactively and I've not heard from any of the buyers (yes, I informed them of what was going on) so I guess they are satisfied with the result.

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That's true, eBay's estimated delivery date often ignores the seller's stated handling time.  

But an extended handling time could protect you against a 'Late shipping" ding if you don't get an acceptance scan promptly.  The only way to be sure of getting an acceptance scan if to go to the counter at the PO, and even then sometimes they will refuse to scan in prepaid labels.

[beautifulbeauty2012]

I applaud to the sellers who shut down their stores until further notice - the headache from shipping carriers with no back up from eBay during this festive season and the pandemic is not needed. They made a right business decision.

My eBay sales pretty much non-existent now (1-3 sales per week), so I just extended handling time  from 3 to 5 days (despite shipping mostly in 1 day) to have some extra time before eBay allows to file INR. It looks like all states affected now in a bad way, not only the blue ones, as it was before. If I had 10+ sales per day, I would had shut my listings for sure.

[beautifulbeauty2012]

TRS status is not affected by long handling times, only TRS+. Do you really get much benefits from TRS+? I am TRS, and except from $100 USPS insurance vs $50 (USPS doesn`t pay out the claims lately, so it`s useless), discounted USPS international shipping price (ok, that saves a couple of $, cents to be exact - like 70 cents) there is nothing exciting.

[portkoop-0]

You forgot one, raise prices.

A lot, not just a few pennies.

More like 20 or 30 percent.

[nostalgiadonut]

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@donsdetour wrote:

It comes down to:

If you can not afford to refund and or intercept (cost money also): or loss of item and money:

Shut it down for a while.

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Yeah, after this weekend I think I'll just shut the shop down for a bit.  I'll use the time to draft more listings and get things restocked for the new year.  

I can afford a few losses, but when the packages start piling up like they've been without updates -- as a small seller, I do get worried.   

[coolections]

What people are not understanding is "handling time" is just that, the time you "handle" the package until adding tracking. At that point the "handling" time disappears and it is now "delivery time".

[toysaver]

Out of 41 outstanding USPS packages there was 1 delivery today.  Yeah, only 40 to go.

[nostalgiadonut]

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@coolections wrote:

What people are not understanding is "handling time" is just that, the time you "handle" the package until adding tracking. At that point the "handling" time disappears and it is now "delivery time".

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Thanks.  Yeah, I had no idea. I thought by upping the handling time Ebay's expected delivery date would also increase and help prevent an INR case from being opened; but if the clock starts when the package is shipped, then yeah you're not saving yourself from anything.

[nostalgiadonut]

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@toysaver wrote:

Out of 41 outstanding USPS packages there was 1 delivery today.  Yeah, only 40 to go.

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😫Oh man, yeah that's stressful.  Fingers crossed. 🤞🤞

[ten_o_nine]

I would not shut the place down.  How do you know they are all for Christmas? I sell all year and the slow season for me is December. It picks up in January. You can add a statement to your listing stating that you'll ship on time and you can not guarantee arrival caused by the carrier delay.

[goldguy22k]

@nostalgiadonut 

Looks like my advice is going to be the 'odd man out' advice since there seems to be a consensus here to close up shop and give up or quit.   {then again perhaps they give that advice because they want to eliminate competition?}🤔😱😜🤑         😎✌️

I dunno, maybe I like a good challenge?👍  I think quitting is one way to look at it and "solve" a business problem.

Here is an alternative approach:   COMMUNICATE with your buyers!  So when someone orders from you, you "could" send them a note thanking them for their order and pointing out that the USPS has been experiencing long delays with delivery and promising to watch the progress for them and keep them informed.   You could add links to news stories about the delays, clogged hubs, 25% workforce due to quarantined workers, etc.   I have seen a few sellers report on these threads that a campaign like this has been successful and well received by buyers.  Those reporting use of this strategy say they have avoided any INR Cases when late deliveries have occurred.  I think buyers appreciate  when a seller pays attention rather than tossing a package at the USPS and saying, 'not my problem now!'

As others above have noted, when a package gets 'stuck' the seller can intervene with the USPS using the Missing Mail process.  That often jars a package lose.  Also, letting a buyer know that you have started that process and what results you get from the USPS can keep a buyer happy and not likely to jump on an INR case as soon as permitted.

But hey, that is just how I see things.  If one isn't willing to do the work to keep buyers happy, then shutting down and quitting is probably best.😀😎

Good luck with whatever you decide!👍👍👍

[nobody*s_perfect]

I usually take a break starting a week before Christmas anyway, so to me this doesn't feel like shutting down or quitting, it just feels like early Christmas vacation.

[dbfolks166mt]

     I don't consider it quitting but a good business practice at risk mitigation. While I agree there are mitigation strategies that sellers could use bottom line from my perspective is what the hell is eBay doing to help the sellers and earn the fees that they charge us. 

     I elected to mitigate my risk and forgo postings till after at least the fist of the year which also allows me to enjoy the holidays. Those who elect to remain in the game should be happy about reduced competition in the seller market, not so sure how eBay feels about the potential revenue reductions. 

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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But an extended handling time could protect you against a 'Late shipping" ding if you don't get an acceptance scan promptly.  The only way to be sure of getting an acceptance scan if to go to the counter at the PO, and even then sometimes they will refuse to scan in prepaid labels.

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If I had lousy mail carriers I'd worry, but mine are tops - they never miss a scan.

But yes, if you use tracking you have to get the acceptance scan on time to avoid the late ding.

If you ship without tracking, it doesn't count at all toward shipping metrics unless the buyer physically marks the shipment as late.