posted on November 24, 2000 09:02:41 AM new
I am primarily a small time seller - about 100 items+ per month. I also do some buying. Lately I have run into some sellers who are really poor, IMO.
How long should it take you to ship, when I pay via PayPal? I only bid on credit card auctions so that I can pay immediately. I expect (is this unreasonable?) you to ship within 48 hours of my credit card payment. I think 2 days after I pay should be plenty of time. (Now if the seller says they only ship 1 or 2 days a week, and this is stated in their TOS, that is fine. I have no problem with that. Those sellers are not who I am complaining about.)
My complaint is with the seller's who appear to crawl to the post office to mail my items. For example, I've been bidding on winter gear for my kids. There is some urgency, as we got a lot of early snow here. The last four items I have purchased have all had huge delays in shipping, with no explanations from the sellers. What is going on? And isn't it common courtesy to send a, "Hey, got your payment and I'm shipping on this day" e-mail?? The only contact I'm having from sellers is the EOA asking for payment. I don't want to be your e-mail buddy, but I would like to know you got my money.
I'm to the point where I don't think I want to buy anything else from eBay, I'm so disappointed with these past few sellers. Lately I have had more bad experiences than good ones....I don't think I could live with myself if I did business this way!
Thanks for listening to my vent...
~Not nefish on eBay~
posted on November 24, 2000 09:15:30 AM new
Thank goodness you dident purchase from me. Living is very rural America I only ship on Fridays. I have it in my item discription, and I really never had any complaints. With gas the way it is people wont run everyday to the post office.
posted on November 24, 2000 09:16:29 AM new
Chum? Ummm, I said your selling policy doesn't bother me. If you state it in your TOS, that's fine with me...
Also, don't worry about me bidding on your auctions. I never bid from sellers who only ship once a week...
posted on November 24, 2000 09:18:47 AM new
If the turn around time for shipping isn't stated in the auction then you can't assume the seller will ship within 48 hours of getting payment...you can't assume anything about the transaction that is not stated in the auction.
If it is important to you that the item ship within 48 hours and this is not stated in the auction then you must ASK the seller before bidding what their shipping schedule is.
posted on November 24, 2000 09:27:41 AM new
HMM..I don't remember typing "whacko", I just remember responding to your question with my opinion, but if I wrote "whacko" I truely apologize. But if you were "assuming" my reply was meant as an insult then I think you should now be red with embarassment for your assumption was wrong.
posted on November 24, 2000 10:36:44 AM new
May I ask a hypothetical on this one? Say the buyer bid on the auction where there was nothing in the TOS about how long it takes to ship. Pays by paypal. Buyer gets no email saying the seller got the payment. An inordinate amount of time later [2 weeks, maybe?] the item arrives.
Does the seller get a Positive for delivering the item? Or a Neutral for delivering but taking a long time?
Does the buyer have the right [responsibility?] to publicize slow shipment?
posted on November 24, 2000 10:45:22 AM new
I ship out hundreds of items per week. There is no way I can email every customer to let them know when I recieved their payment and when their item ships. BUT.. I do give them a link in my EOA email that brings them to a "status page" that I update every day. I enter the item number(s), date payment was received, how they paid, date item is expected to ship and how it ships. I *STILL* get emails every day asking "did you receive my payment?" or "when will my item ship?" (half the times I didn't even receive their payment yet!). I just send them the link to my status page, asking them to check there. It updates every day so there is no reason to ask me.
As for when I ship, I usually ship on Mondays, Wednesdays and either Fridays or Saturdays. BUT - living in upstate NY if the weather is REAL bad I will hold off a day or two until it's safer to get to the post office. Sometimes things just come up and things get delayed a day or so. It happens. I don't state when I ship in my auctions, but ALL my feedbacks state what a fast shipper I am. My last feedback states it took 3 days from bid to item in hands.
And, if there IS a delay in shipping, I update that on my status page also. The customers who actually take the 2 seconds to look at the status page LOVE it. And it's a lot easier than sending out hundreds of emails every week!
I do agree, though - that if an auction doesn't state WHEN they ship and you need it in a certain time frame - that it's up to you to ask the seller when they would ship. One rule you really have to stick by with online auctions is: Don't ASSUME anything!
posted on November 24, 2000 11:03:09 AM new
The last few items I've won, has taken days, telephone calls, threats, you name it, to get it shipped. They have our money, screw us! Sad what society has come too.
posted on November 24, 2000 11:06:19 AM new
Threats??? I don't think that is necessary no matter WHAT the circumstances. Maybe they took longer to ship BECAUSE of the threats! And how long did they have your money anyways? Days? weeks? months? Did they state when they would ship in their auction? Did you ask them when they would ship?
posted on November 24, 2000 11:35:40 AM new
I only live 5 minutes from the post office. I email that I have received payment and the item will be shipped the next day. I ask them to let me know when it arrives. 1 in 10 might let me know they received it.
I bought an item on ebay from a large company. I paid with paypal and it took almost a month for me to get the item. I got emails that they had received payment, that it had been sent to shipping dept., that it had been shipped!!! No excuse for taking so long to ship.
If someone is going to sell on ebay they should be prepared to ship when they receive the payment. Some sellers seem to hold the buyer hostage to their tos. That is not fair to the buyer.
If it states exactly when shipping is done, (once a week), then that is fine, buyers can back out of that auction and find one where the seller doesn't mind being inconvenienced to go to the post office.
posted on November 24, 2000 12:13:13 PM new
With a PayPal payment (or Billpoint, etc), 90% of the items go out the same day. I usually make a run to the Post Office at 4:30. For the other 10% where payments came too late or I was just a little behind, the package goes out the next mailable day.
Each of my buyers gets an email telling them the item has shipped along with the Delivery Confirmation number, if applicable.
I have had several stunned buyers email me (and leave huge feedback praise) because they were within approximately 100 miles of me and their item got to them the day after they paid for it. Otherwise I have received consistent positive feedback for my service and speed.
I have also had good and bad experiences with sellers lately. Many have the package out with 1 or 2 days. On the other hand, I recently had an item not actually hit the post office until 12 days after the auction end. In that case I paid through PayPal within 2 hours of auction end. I emailed this person 8 days after the auction and got no reply. (The seller lived about an hour away) The next day I emailed again but a bit more stern. That time I got a reply. It was obvious from her reply she had no clue what she was doing and had no shipping records at all. She had no idea whether she sent it or not and didn't try to hide that fact. She then stated that she would have the item in the mail that same day. Four days later the item arrived with a postmark of three days after the day she supposedly was going to mail it.
I wrote her back and told her I didn't appreciate the poor service and would not be dealing with her again. I got back a one line message, "What's the matter? Are you mad at me?" I didn't respond.
posted on November 24, 2000 12:56:27 PM new
I have been selling on eBay for about 2 years and if I receive a Paypal payment, I am so thrilled that I didn't have to wait 10, 15, 20 days (even though my TOS says 10) for payment, that I ship the same day. If the buyer pays me late and has told me the check is in the mail or given me a thousand reasons why they can't pay in a reasonable amount of time...THEN...I don't break my neck getting to the Post Office. ALL my packages are shipped 24 hrs. after I receive payment...but I only do 25 auctions and live 5 minutes from the Post Office.
posted on November 24, 2000 01:23:40 PM new
My opinion:
PayPal (or direct credit card charge) before noon on day 1.
-shipment on day 3 (two days later) is eBay "par".
-shipment on day 1 (payment in in the morning, shipment out in the afternoon) is eBay "extraordinary". The best mail order companies try to do this, usually succeeding, but they sometimes fail.
-shipment on day 2 (next day) is eBay "excellent". Fully expected from the best mail order companies, often guaranteed.
-shipment on day 4-5 is "acceptable" This covers the 1 shiping day per week people. Mail order pros do far better, but experienced eBay buyers will likely be patient with eBay amateurs.
-shipment during week 2 (more than 1 week after payment is received) is "unpleasant", if it happens with no warning. But not cause for major confrontation regarding an eBay transaction. The unmistakeable mark of sleaze when dealing with a mail order company.
-shipment on week 3 or later (more than two weeks after payment received) is "unacceptable", and grounds for confrontation. Grounds for initiating a chargeback when dealing with a mail order company, despite laws which might say that such companies "have 30 days". Real companies don't do this without setting expectations appropriately to begin with.
Payment receive in the afternoon counts as payment received the next morning.
posted on November 24, 2000 01:47:26 PM new
As a buyer, I have been most fortunate to have only a couple slow shippers.
As a seller, client is notified when money is received. I ship the moment a Money Order arrives and send a scanned copy of shipping receipt, because the instant the item is "sold" it is packed and addressed. Of course, I am now lucky to have a new P.O. branch close to home.
But even when I have had to drive a distance to ship, it still was the same day as Money Order arrived, if before P.O. closing time.
And yes, I am seeing more sellers asking...demanding...that payment arrive in 7 days....yet, they state they ship once or twice a week. Is this a new trend?
I no longer buy from sellers with a limited shipping schedule. I realize it may be unavoidable, or just easier; but we all have choices to make.
******************** Gosh Shosh!
posted on November 24, 2000 01:48:42 PM new
There are some good sellers out there .... did you check the feedbacks on these slow shipper? Yes, I wholeheartedly agree in response to receiving payment and you item will be mailed on X date.
I love PayPal transactions. I sometimes run out the same day for these people who zaps me their money. I'd like to return the favor by zapping their packages right out to them!
I keep in contact with my buyers. The feedbacks are what lagging in my dept! Geesh, great customer service and no review.
I know how disheartening it is to zap the payment and slow ship! I'm also a buyer too. (mostly a seller)
posted on November 24, 2000 03:44:11 PM new
I too am fed up with buying on eBay. The sellers have been terribly slow to ship. They don't acknowledge my payment, they won't answer my emails and they don't stay in contact once they have my money. And don't get me started on shipping charges...
I am a seller +2000 feedback, and I can tell you, that as a seller, I'm hoping that those sellers are the folks that are fed up with eBay and are taking a hike. They give us sellers a bad name.
I always email the bidder when I receive the payment. I always leave positive feedback as thank you for their payment. AND, I always email the customer when the item is shipped... USUALLY within 24 hours of receiving payment. The only exception to that is weekends, my post office is not open.
Things that turn me off as a bidder...
1. Sellers that OVERINFLATE shipping charges. I don't think a seller has to charge exactly the postage on the box, but for example, $3.00 to ship a CD is Crazy.. $6.00 to ship a 1 pound item (unbreakable) is way out of line.
2. Sellers that play the feedback hostage game. Those sellers that wait until the buyer leaves it will have to wait until H E double toothpicks freezes over before I leave them feedback. If they trusted their merchandise, their service and their shipping they wouldn't have to be "worried" that a customer will leave them negative. In over 3500 transactions I have never received a negative from a customer, and have only had to refund a few times. AND, if they did leave a negative for poor service/item/shipping what are you going to do? leave feedback that said PAID FAST but didn't like that I gave poor service??? Sellers that leave retaliatory negatives are not going to be around long, as customers would be afraid to deal with them.
3. Sellers that don't communicate with buyers. This turns me off faster than anything, and tells me that my business/dollars mean nothing to them. They won't have to worry, I'll never buy again, and my feedback will reflect the poor customer service.
My sales have been increasing EVERY month since I began on selling full-time on eBay. I have not experienced a slow-down, and bids are up. I attribute that to the quality customer service that I give. Quick shipping, feedback with every transaction and quality products at fair shipping costs and excellent packaging. After all, isn't that what the customer wants and deserves?
posted on November 24, 2000 05:09:31 PM new
I have not had any problems with sellers on Ebay. Some are slightly slow to ship but I'm really not that picky and don't worry about that. I do send a status email after about 7-9 days if the item has not arrived. I attempt to never sound accusitory.
On the other hand as a seller I have had several bad experiences with buyers. Some buyers take forever to pay and then want the item shipped yesterday.
I can't believe how nasty and accusitory some people can be. I even ran into a buyer that refused to complete a sale unless I promised to leave feedback as soon as the payment arrived. After looking at her feedback (she has a habit of asking for partial refunds) I refused to leave feedback until the transaction was complete. I have a feedback rating of nearly 1100 with only 2 negs but I've also done a lot of hand holding and taken a lot of abuse without responding in kind...
I charge exact shipping + $.50. I attempt to always ship within 3 business days unless something happens that puts me behind.
If people were a bit more patient and a kept all emails positive there would be a lot less problems. I have never had a problem as a buyer on Ebay.
posted on November 24, 2000 05:57:38 PM new
I hear ya.
I am a seller primarily, and I take pride in shipping fast. That's what the customer wants of course, and I try to give it to them. Mostly, the items are shipped out the same day payment is received or the next business day at the latest (I seldom hold shipments for personal check clearance either). Of course it helps me that I live only about two blocks from my small town Post Office, and I hardly ever have to wait in a line.
This is the best way for me keep on top of things--ship 'em out as soon as payment comes. I would not want to fall behind and suddenly have 40 shipments to pack and ship all at once.
posted on November 24, 2000 06:00:12 PM new
Most sellers hold down full time Jobs MY self I only I will ship the next day I get a payment if the package will fit in a envelope and go out in the mail box on my way to work.
Other then that most shipping takes place on the saturday after I get the payments as most morning the Post office is not open on my way to work and is closed more then two hours before I get home.
If you bid and win an Item thursday or friday pay by billpoint or paypal your item is shipped within 48 hours.
if you pay by sending check or money order It wont usually get in the mail till the next staurday, BUT I ask the buyer if this is a gift and if they require faster delivery I would do my best to get in to a post office some how and get it out to the buyer Priority or second day if they pay for this
so I would say shipping an Item within 1 to 5 days of getting paid is good service for the average seller that dont work in a office with mail pick up of some type. http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
posted on November 24, 2000 06:07:50 PM new
loosecannon
I live only about two blocks from my small town Post Office, and I hardly ever have to wait in a line. I wish I was that lucky... The post office is about a 15-20 minute drive for me depending on which one I want to go to and (being in the big city) I usually have to wait in line for up to 30 minutes. Some days I would rather visit the dentist for a tooth extraction than go to the post office.
posted on November 24, 2000 08:09:20 PM new
I've noticed lately too, about the slow shipping. One seller took 6 weeks to finally send my purchase, and when the items arrived it was an incomplete shipment. It took another 2 weeks to get the rest of the stuff which was so poorly packaged one of the items was broken. This seller seems like they could not care less.
The second deadbeat seller I've run into this month has my PayPal payment, and it's now been almost a month without delivery.
posted on November 24, 2000 10:56:00 PM new
Hmmm.. lately my eBay purchases have arrived quicker than my mailorder purchases from big name companies (Eddie Bauer, Newport News).. and the follow-up emails have been better as well! (recently had to "chase down" my backordered shoes from Newport news and what difference does it make if they ship the same day, since they all insist on using UPS so it costs $10 and takes 6-12 days anyway!!! I hate UPS!)...
So, so far so good for me, with eBay purchases. I sell more than I buy though (at least now, in the beginning I was a biddin' fool!) and I state in my TOS when my shipping times are. I also live in an area where there's usually a long wait in line at the PO, and I'm almost always alone with my 2 kids in tow (ages 8 and 3), carrying a laundry basket full of packages and trying to keep the kids close.. it's a grand headache. I still shoot for a minimum of 3x a week though, to get those electronic payment items out within 3 business days max. Quicker if they indicate they're in a hurry.
As far as email notifications: I use Invenna's Auction Amigo and I send out emails when payment is received, as well as when the item is shipped, and sometimes a follow-up email as well if I don't hear from the buyer or have cause for concern, and I have been told repeatedly by customers how much they love the way I let them know the status of things along the way. What's funny is that it takes NO time at all with AuctionAmigo; it is literally two mouse clicks to send a "received your payment" or "items has been shipped" automatic email, and the program fills in all the blanks! Love it!
posted on November 24, 2000 11:04:34 PM new
Many Ebay sellers, like myself, work full time jobs in addition to doing Ebay. If we have a particularly rough week at work it really slows down the shipping.
posted on November 25, 2000 01:53:51 AM new
IMHO, sometimes it's wiser to delay a cc sale to reduce cc fraud and chargeback risks if something doesn't seem right. Delay just enough to give the cc processor time to send an alert if they receive a warning from Visa or MC. It depends on what the item is, it's value, shipping address and more. For example, I would not ship a computer or DVD player, purchased by a cc holder in the US with Paypal or Billpoint, requesting to ship to Singapore or Romania by Purolator.
I've read posts from sellers that have received requests from Bidpay and other cc processors not to ship the item thay had sold. A few times, the item was still in the seller's possession and this prevented a fraud, other times it was too late.
posted on November 25, 2000 06:03:36 AM new
I try to ship within 48 hours of getting payment.
The problem I have had lately is with paypal. Bidders will say that they have paid me. Send me a copy of the email from paypal showing payment. However the money doesn'e show up in my paypal inbox until days after they sent the payment. I won't ship until it shows up in my inbox.
I am not the only one that is experiencing this problem. Another seller in my cat even mentioned it in her terms.
posted on November 25, 2000 06:20:53 AM new
nefish
Shipping times are based on what the seller is selling and how active the seller is. We post our approximate shipping times in our ad, plus put them in our first letter of congratulations.
Our MAIN PROBLEM is no one reads. Smalls are no problem in a fast turn around, but some of us handle large, delicate items which take considerable packing time - try antique stain glass windows; full size tea carts; huge breakable lamps, etc., these things take considerable time, and that is why we notify our buyers twice regarding shipping times.
We ship in the order payment is received. I don't believe it is fair to ship a necklace, just because it is easy, before a piece of furniture whose buyer paid 2 days before the necklace buyer.
We do our best, keep in close contact with our buyers - buyers need to remember not everyone sells smalls, and not every seller has only one auction running at a time. We seldom have an unhappy buyer because of shipping times.
DURING the Christmas season when shipping times are more important, we add an extra packer to speed up our shipping times.
We try to immediately establish a rapport with our buyers so that even though our shipping schedule may be a bit slower than sellers who handle non-breakables and/or smalls, that the buyer is comfortable that they will receive their item, and that they are receiving personal attention.
I never bid from sellers who only ship once a week...
I love PayPal transactions. I sometimes run out the same day for these people who zaps me their money. I'd like to return the favor by zapping their packages right out to them!