guaranteed delivery...on media mail?

[evry1nositswindy]

I am a seller and I recently had a buyer ask me on 7/15 if he purchased a book on that date if it would be guaranteed to reach him by 7/19.  I said I shippped from Ohio and if he was in my zone, the odds were good, but I couldn't control the USPS.  He purchased the book and turned out he lives on the west coast, furthest zone from me!  I looked at the listing and it says fast 'n free.  NOTHING fast about media mail!  I sent a message explaining this, saying the odds weren't in his favor and giving him an out, but no response.  I sent it out this morning, but I will probably be losing money on this when the date comes and goes.  I am not a fan of this new promo of guaranteed delivery and not a fan of seeing fast 'n free on my media mail listings.  Common sense!  Any thoughts?    

[aproudparent2010]

I would have upgraded him to First Class Mail.

Media Mail is slllllooooooooooooooooow

[evry1nositswindy]

@aproudparent2010 Thought about it but it was over the weight.  

[evry1nositswindy]

I even added priority as an option to him and messaged him so he could choose that option.

[ed8108]

Even with USPS priority, there is no guarantee of 3-5 day service

[southern*sweet*tea]

Do you offer two shipping methods?  On the guaranteed delivery listings that I've seen, the buyer only gets the guarantee if they choose the faster method, unless they are in the same or nearby zone.  Media Mail will NOT show up as GD unless the buyer is nearby. Your FCM listings show GD for me, the MM do not. My zip is 38868.

It will even show on the checkout screen that if the buyer wants the guaranteed delivery they have to choose the expedited shipping cost.

[evry1nositswindy]

@southern*sweet*tea Really good point!  I must have looked at the listing after I added priority and before the purchase.  Hopefully he won't fuss if it isn't delivered by Thursday, because it won't!  Thanks for your input.

[*coins]

Hi, @evry1nositswindy.

From what I could see, it looks like none of your listings have Guaranteed Delivery. Is it possible that your buyer was just saying that because they are confused and thought that all sellers use GD?

As far as I know, Media Mail is not a GD service.

[evry1nositswindy]

@*coins  Maybe.  I saw the fast 'n free on the listing myself but not the guaranteed delivery.  

[pjcdn2005]

When I use a California zip I see 4 day guaranted delivery on some of your items but not on the media mail items.

[mam98031]

If your listing did not qualify for Guaranteed Delivery, then you are not responsible for getting it delivered to the buyer within a Guaranteed timeframe.  

Also remember that if your listing did qualify for Guaranteed Delivery, since you shipped out on time, you can have Ebay step in and take the responsibility for shipping charges if the buyer tries to get it from you for a late delivery.  Or is the buyer negs you, you can call Ebay and get it removed if it is pertaining to delivery.

[mam98031]

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@aproudparent2010 wrote:

I would have upgraded him to First Class Mail.

Media Mail is slllllooooooooooooooooow

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Why?  Why would the seller have to experience an additional expense because a buyer has an expectation that is just not reasonable nor has the seller said they could meet their expectation.  There is a huge price difference between MM and FCP.  

[evry1nositswindy]

Update:  Score one for the USPS!  It was delivered on the 18th.  Good thing I'm sitting down!