Warning on changing Order cut off time for same business day handling

[fabologist]

I have a set cutoff time of 12PM EDT, but some days I just don't want to wait around, so after packing all my orders, I will change the cutoff time to 10AM or 11AM.

Well, eBay does not recognize the change, which is stupid. I have gotten a few dings for uploading the tracking late, since I do it the next day, because the order came in after my changed cutoff time, and I already dropped the packages off at the post office.

If you are like me and don't always want to wait around for the last second order, I found a way around it that is recognized by eBay.

You can change you Business Policy for Shipping. Just change the Handling time to 1 business day. It will change all your listing for that policy, so any new orders will be 1-day handling.

You can then change it back later in the day to same day handling.

[myboardid]

I wouldn't bother with same day handling at all.  I don't think buyers really care that much and I don't believe it give you any edge over your competition.   Just leave it at one day handling.  You can still ship all orders that come in before noon that same day and surprise the buyers when it arrives early.  And if you want to ship early on some particular day, there is no problem in letting all new purchases wait until the next day, whether they come in before noon or not.  Also, if you get so many sales that you can't get them all packed in time to mail (don't you wish!), there's no problem with that either. 

I have one day handling, I ship everything that comes in by noon the same day also.  My mail has to be at the PO by 3 PM to go out on that day's truck, and I always make it. 

[fabologist]

I have left mine at 1-day. For one, it is too late for Christmas orders now. 

Same day is better for Guaranteed Delivery, I just don't know how many buyers use it because most Priority Mail will be there in 3 days or less.

I like the idea of them being surprised at how soon it arrives, and I already get a lot of good feedback for that.

[myboardid]

I didn't sign up for guaranteed delivery because I don't use eBay shipping.  I checked out all the other sellers in my most-used categories and none of them signed up for it either.  I could handle the "ship within handling time" option, because I always get my packages to the carrier within my handling time, but I would never guarantee a delivery date.  I live on an island, and the mail goes on the ferry to the mainland.  If we have high winds, the boat doesn't run, sometimes for several days.  That could cause me major headaches, so I won't go there.