posted on March 19, 2001 07:05:04 PM
I have purchased a few things in the past couple of weeks - and I paid for every item by credit card (Billpoint) as soon as the auctions ended.
The earliest any of those sellers shipped out my package was at LEAST 3 days later.
Makes me wonder why I rush around every morning to make sure I mail out everyone's packages. The MOST I ever wait to ship is 2 days. And even then, I email my customers to let them know (1) I received their payment and (2) when their item ships.
I did not receive a notice from ANY of these sellers that they even received my payment.
posted on March 19, 2001 07:22:57 PM
Same here, I ship within 2 days of payment. But now I have a buyer who says that if there package is not recieved by a certain date that they will file charges with ebay and file a chargeback with paypal.
posted on March 19, 2001 07:37:49 PM
I, too, am *religious* about shipping within 48 hours (usually within 24---I live near at Post Office that's open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day). Yet I find myself waiting 3, 5, even TEN days for a package to be mailed after I paid with Paypal!!! (not arrived---MAILED! I *do* check the postmark date!) I asked one seller for an explanation of why she shipped my item 9 days after I paid by Paypal, and she had no answer except this: Sometimes it takes us a little while to get to the post office. This is not acceptable!! I told her to go back to working in an office because that crap don't wash with buyers!
(And before any of you other sellers start whining about department stores waiting 4-6 weeks to ship---A) YOU'RE NOT A DEPARTMENT STORE, AND B)JUST BECAUSE THEY HIDE BEHIND THESE DISCLAIMERS IS NO EXCUSE FOR YOU TO DO IT TOO!)
posted on March 19, 2001 07:47:51 PM
Why in the world do you assume that, just because you pay with a credit card, your items will be shipped out immediately? Unless the seller makes a statement like, "shipping guaranteed within 24 hours with credit card", it's unfair of you to assume.
IMO, offering credit card payment is more for the convenience of the buyer, as well as offering peace of mind knowing they have recourse in a bad transaction. However, there is absolutely no implication of faster shipping than if paying with a check or money order unless it's explicitly stated.
edited to add... I do NOT take credit cards, I do take checks and money orders, and I have numerous positive feedback for quick shipping. I too try to ship within 48 hours of receipt of payment, but it's not always possible.
[ edited by joanne on Mar 19, 2001 07:49 PM ]
posted on March 19, 2001 08:00:03 PM
I ship same day that payment shows up. Yes its a pain when you never hear anything from the seller. atk Might help if you tell your bidder that you have no control over the post office,
posted on March 19, 2001 08:25:39 PM
Add my name to the "waiting game".
I rarely buy but made 4 purchases lately. Results? Only 1 communication from 1 of them to tell me the item had been shipped.
Makes me wonder why I bother to take pains to let my customers know their payment has arrived & that their item has been shipped.
Why in the world do you assume that, just because you pay with a credit card, your items will be shipped out immediately?
If I receive a Billpoint payment, it's "swept" into my account w/in a day. If I receive a PayPal payment, I can "sweep" it into my account immediately. Therefore, I DO expect a bit better treatment than "I'll ship it when I get around to it" treatment.
You feel it's primarily for the convenience of the buyer..what about the seller getting their money upfront & not having to wait weeks for a payment to arrive..not having to worry about it getting lost in the mail..not having to worry if the check's going to bounce..or if the customer is going to turn out to be a deadbeat?
posted on March 19, 2001 08:40:16 PM
<<Makes me wonder why I bother to take pains to let my customers know their payment has arrived & that their item has been shipped.>>
I realize this is an unpopular thing to say right now, but I never post when the payment arrives, and I am shipping. My after bid letter states, I will ship next biz day after receipt of Paypal and M/o. Wait for clear with check (I actually never wait, but I always hope that will stop the "bad" check writters).
I get that package out asap, and I just don't want to take the time to post..I'd rather spend the housrs I spend on this part of my biz, getting their pacakge in the mail. It does eat into my time, (both my work time and my pleasure time), to post to all the people each day.I usually ship so fast, that before they get to worrying about if their payment arrived, they have their package. I only post when 10 days has gone by after close of auction, and no payment..just so they don't think I have held it up.
With all the automated after auction software available, it's just a matter of a few seconds to let a customer know the item's on the way.
During my peak periods, I'll have upwards of 100-200 auctions running a week & I use a single email to say "your payment has been received & your package has been shipped".
There's nothing worse than sitting around wondering if the seller has received the payment & if the package has been shipped for a customer. Being in this position right now w/3 purchases, I can tell you it's pretty darn aggravating.
posted on March 19, 2001 08:57:51 PM
As a buyer I don't care when someone ships and certainly don't need an email from the seller cluttering up my email box. I think it's a joke when other buyers whine about getting their material goods faster, it's pretty immature if you ask me. Adults are supposed to have learned patience and pass that onto their kids. Do you seriously want a world based on nonpatience?
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Mar 19, 2001 08:59 PM ]
posted on March 19, 2001 08:59:04 PM
I agree with, Eventer, that communication regarding shipment is imperative. These are person-to-person sales, where the buyer is placing an enormous amount of trust in the seller, and a lack of contact could cause the buyer to worry, needlessly. All it takes is setting up a couple email templates and hitting the send-button as many times as necessary, and the buyer has get's piece of mind.
bad grammar
[ edited by Julesy on Mar 19, 2001 09:00 PM ]
posted on March 19, 2001 09:11:03 PM
I accept checks...so all you sellers who say "no checks" better get with it and start accepting checks because I do and I expect all other sellers to conduct their business the way I do.
I accept paypal...so all you sellers who say "NO PAYPAL" are in the wrong because I accept paypal and so mustyou.
I don't hold for checks so I don't expect you to hold my check.
I don't give my buyers a time limit to get their payment to me so I don't expect other sellers to give me a time limit when I buy from them.
When one of my customers gives me an "excuse" as to why they haven't paid yet I believe them, so when I tell you I couldn't get my payment to you right away because my grandmother died I expect you will accept my "excuse" without question....and I certainly expect that you will not come on these boards complaining about me.
When I haven't recieved an auction payment from a customer and it is over two weeks after the auction ended, I send a very friendly email asking if there is a problem. I also let the customer know that I understand that it is easy to forget about a payment as I have done that too. So when I forget to send you off a payment I expect that you will send me a nice friendly reminder...and I will be pi**ed if the first reminder you send me is ebay's "pay your seller" letter. I will be even angrier if you send ebay's letter at 10 days after the auction is over.
I never cancel bids, so I expect that other sellers will not cancel a buyer's bid either.
This is how I do business and I have every right to expect that all other sellers will do it the way I do!
posted on March 19, 2001 09:11:53 PM
I'm with DMRick on this one. While other sellers are emailing thank you's I'm shipping product instead. From much experience I can tell you that eventer's suggestion that you letting buyers know of payment and/or shipping dates can be accomplished in a few seconds is not true. Takes 1 to 2 minutes to do this properly, and I simply don't have the time.
Moreover, once you START confirming payments / shipments you are trapped forever into doing it.
At least in my category buyers are less interested in the 'personal touch' than in quick and efficient service.
posted on March 19, 2001 09:18:47 PM
We almost always ship the next business day after payment is received, at the latest. But, it helps that we live only two blocks from the PO that almost never has a line to wait behind.
I've had better luck with my purchases lately as well. The last 3 or 4 buys I've made I've been very happy with--sellers shipping good merchandise quickly. That's what it's all about!
The auction software I use has an automated response button. Takes me a few seconds to type in the auction number & then hit the button which sends a single response.
I understand given the volume you do it would probably take another worker just to keep up with this type of response, even if it's automated.
But there's not that many people out there who have the volume of sales that you do.
posted on March 19, 2001 09:25:46 PM
I see a lot of Pros on these boards. What those of us who sell full time don't always realize is that some people who sell have a real life and a real job and that ebay is a hobby.
After a full day of work and a full day of kids, it's not always top-of-mind to take care of ebay.
posted on March 19, 2001 09:31:27 PM
I reply to customers when payment has arrived and when item is shipped. With the automated after auction software it has become easy... too easy. Sometimes a buyer will respond to my email that item has been sent with a, "Thank-you". It catches me off guard and makes me realize that I am actually dealing with a person.
I would like it if the buyers would email me when they got the item.
posted on March 19, 2001 09:37:03 PM
Along with selling, I buy a lot on eBay, too. I couldn't tell you how fast the sellers I buy from get my stuff in the mail because I don't check postmarks. When it gets here, it gets here.
If I needed something within a certain time frame, I would be sure to check with the seller before bidding to see if it would be possible.
posted on March 19, 2001 09:38:03 PMExecutivegirl...to answer your question.."Why I am rushing to ship packages?" (or did you mean "Why am I rushing to ship packages?" )
You are rushing to ship packages because that is the way you want to do business. What others do shouldn't enter into your decision on how to run your business. If you think it is right to do something a certain way, then that is the way you should do it. The fact that others don't do it that way shouldn't concern you at all.
If it is important to you to have your package shipped within 48 hours of your credit card payment then ask the seller if he ships in that time frame. If he says "No" then you don't bid...it will save you a heck of a lot of aggrivation
This is how I do business and I have every right to expect that all other sellers will do it the way I do!
From reading these boards sometimes, I think your're probably onto something.
edited to add...
Something I'd like to see added to the feedback page is a checkbox for "High Maintenance" or "Low Maintenance". At least, you'd have a fighting chance of knowing what kind of buyer/seller you were dealing with.
[ edited by mrpotatoheadd on Mar 19, 2001 09:45 PM ]
posted on March 19, 2001 09:43:44 PM
malady,
I'm with you. I'd love to see buyer's do the same.
It used to be that the buyer would respond, but lately all I see is feedback (which is great). It's the feedback that tells me they got it and are happy.
With people's schedules I guess once on the item is enough, instead of e-mailing and then posting FB.
posted on March 19, 2001 09:45:02 PM
Hi Amy- I see it in the main category I sell in, which involves high-ticket luxury items and a lot of new buyers...contact is ultra-important. I also see it as pre-emptive; I'd rather send out the courtesy emails off the bat than have customers send irate emails wondering where their items are. But hey, if other sellers like dealing with irate customers and tolerate them better than me, then more power to 'em. You're right, there is room for all of us.
posted on March 19, 2001 09:45:45 PM
I agree, why am I busting my a$$ to get those packages out within 48 hours.
I purchased a video with BIN 3 weeks ago today and just today is when I got it. It was mailed out the 15th, just 4 days ago. This 1100+ feedback seller says in her ad she ships within 2 days. When I e-mailed her a week ago about it, she claimed she was dealing with busted water pipes, but she would ship right away. Well it was another 3 days after that before she shipped(I looked at the post mark).
No tape on the box, both ends were open, I'm surprised the damn thing even got to me.
I e-mailed her tonight and informed her she would be getting a neutral feedback because of her performance and that I didn't think some busted water pipes should take 3 weeks to get over.
Boy, did I get a tounge lashing from her. I could just feel that curse she cast on me coming right through the puter at me. I say to bad, so sad....we all got our own little tramas we have to deal with. Yes I can see maybe a week..BUT..3 weeks NO WAY!
We all need to be a little understanding but where do you draw the line.
If your going to be in this business then you have to take care of it like one.
I can just see me trying to miss 3 weeks of work at a RL job because my waterpipes broke, gheeesh.
Ok...done ranting....
packer
Edited to add...I paid right away with BILLPOINT!
[ edited by packer on Mar 19, 2001 09:48 PM ]
posted on March 19, 2001 09:46:36 PM
No one *has* to do anything, except breathe. Many people here are simply expressing their opinions that they hate it like hell when sellers do not put their packages in the mail within a reasonable timeframe.
What's reasonable? Well, I think (and that's all any of us can do, is state WHAT WE THINK) that to wait any longer than three business days before shipping is poor customer service---UNLESS someone contacts me and says "gee, there's been a snowstorm" or something. If there are circumstances, sure I can understand it. JUST LET ME KNOW.
Otherwise, I don't care if I get an email. Ironically the timely shippers are probably also the diligent emailers and vice versa. I personally do not notify when I ship but I ship FAST and I have never had anyone complain about not being notified since by the time they notice, they usually have their package.
As to the person who called it impatience----Look, I live in the second biggest city in America. There is no damned thing I could not get faster than I could on Ebay just by getting in my car. If I were an impatient person I wouldn't even bother to buy stuff on Ebay. I simply desire good customer service. In my opinion (again, please NOTE this clause and realize that no one is holding a gun to your head----Goodness! some people certainly get huffy when other people speak their minds!) anything over three days is TOO LONG to go without some explanation to the buyer. If you advocate quietly waiting over a week for a person to put a three ounce bubble mailer into a mailbox as some kind of litmus test of character, sorry, but I think you're advocating laziness.
posted on March 19, 2001 09:48:57 PM
Living in the country, I do not live next door to the post office but I post my shipping days within my auction descriptions so that everyone who considers bidding on my auctions is aware that I ship on Monday & Thursday mornings and whichever day your payment falls the closest to, determines your shipping date.
I also email to let my auction winners know that their payment has been recieved and give them a ship date so they can estimate from that ship date if there could be a possible problem with THE POST OFFICE and not me on their delivery. I feel if you don't let the buyer know when it is being shipped, by the time they realize enough time has passed and they haven't received their package, alot of buyers will already have developed an attitude thinking it is your neglect that is causing the delay and by that time it is hard to turn that situation around. Also I just feel it is good business......if they were good enough to consider bidding/winning one of my auctions, then I should be good enough to give them great service and I don't think that just means packing and shipping promptly........I think it means keeping my buyers informed. I try to treat them as I would want to be treated if I was the buyer instead of the seller......just makes good business sense to me and makes buyers WANT to be repeat customers, which is one thing that we all like because satisfied customers DO come back.
posted on March 19, 2001 10:05:09 PMJulsey you are assuming that sellers who don't email the customer when payment has been recieved or the item shipped will be dealing with irate customers. From my experience that "just ain't true"
The first year or so I did this I did not email when payment was recieved or when the item was sent...when I bought ebud i started sending out those emails on all transactions. I can't say I had more irate customers before or that I have less now....seems about the same to me. Irate customers were and are few and far between...the emails, or lack of them, didn't change things at all
posted on March 19, 2001 10:15:44 PM
Brighid868...yes, all of us are expressing our opinions...even those of us who think a customer who expects that an item must be shipped within 3 days is a PITA customer.
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Mar 19, 2001 08:59 PM ]
