posted on September 17, 2004 06:35:51 AM new
I am presently only able to use my computer a limited amount of time, as I am running it off a generator, which has to also power our ice box, freezer, etc.
I am wondering how aware and/or understanding my buyers will be when they have to wait for notices and/or shipping?
We live in South Alabama. obviously IVAN visited us and the power company is telling us it might be October 1st before we have power.
posted on September 17, 2004 08:50:37 AM new
Try setting your auto reply to state that you were hit and are now without power and you will take care of business as early as you can.
I think everyone will understand. My customers did.
Good Luck
posted on September 17, 2004 09:07:45 AM new
Perhaps you can go into PayPal and set up your WBN (if you aren't using that feature - turn it now so you can at least deliver a notice automatically) to automatically deliver the notice that you won't be able to ship merchandise until after the 1st of October because of your Ivan caused power outage. That should let the people who pay fast know they will have to wait.
I think people would be very understanding if they knew the circumstances. I am sure many of us would volunteer to be your "buddy" to help you out. I guess you would have to give someone your ebay password (change it when you are back) so he/she could deliver the ebay invoice at auction end and note what has happened and what the time frame could be for delivery....just a thought but I for one would be more than happy to help you if you'd like.
**********************************
Sig files are too much trouble!
http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards
[ edited by neglus on Sep 17, 2004 03:13 PM ]
posted on September 18, 2004 05:04:27 PM new
I had the same situation with Frances and everyone was just wonderful. I explained when I could and they were great. Further, I didn't know if I'd make it to the PO! I find that a little bit of communication goes a long way and the suggestion to do an auto reply for your emails is awesome OR spend a couple of minutes in Vendio altering one of your notices... WBN or Shipping? And send them to everyone... announcing the problems you are facing. It's one FAST and sure way to address the problems.
I got snowed in while visiting my sister in NC once and it worked great... I couldn't get out of there and get home to pack the boxes on the day I was supposed to! Ugh! Again though, all customers were just wonderful.
Take care of yourself.
Angie
posted on September 18, 2004 05:33:58 PM new
I've got the same problem, in reverse. I've got two items I received payment on today. One goes to Alabama and the other to Tennessee. I'm going to email them tonight and see if they want me to ship Monday or hold off till they notify me. If the power/phone lines are out to either of them and I don't get a response, I'll probably be back over here asking for advise on what to do.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on September 18, 2004 06:58:12 PM new
If you knew Ivan was coming and didn't pull your auctions... I would not be understanding... you are the one that took the chance to keep the auctions running and that is your problem...
posted on September 18, 2004 07:21:49 PM new
Twelve, I agree that people in the immediate PROJECTED path of Ivan might have used a little foresight and stopped their auctions. But JW is in Alabama, who the heck would think that Ivan would leave him without power??
Would you feel the same if a seller was unable to ship because of an earthquake or tornado??
Jw's problem came about from rains and tornadoes spun off by Ivan. If everyone who was in the possible path of Ivan had stopped their auctions, there should not have been any sellers from Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississipi, Texas, Georgia, the Carolina's, Tennessee,...etc doing business for the last week!
posted on September 18, 2004 07:44:20 PM new
Sellers have a responsibility to their customers, Ivan was the strongest of the 3 storms to pass through, some forethought should of been in order.
How does an earthquake or tornado equate to something that had long range implications?
Buyers will be understanding for the most part, however, if a seller has enough "power" to post here, then they could be pulling those auctions...
posted on September 18, 2004 09:51:40 PM newBut JW is in Alabama
Perfect example. Ivan was projected to go through that area for 4 days before it hit. Plenty of time to make the adjustments and should have.
Same goes for bidders. They knew the storm was coming. Hold off on bidding until the coast is clear.
[ edited by stonecold613 on Sep 18, 2004 09:53 PM ]
posted on September 18, 2004 10:19:36 PM new
True stonecold... true.. bidder that won an auction from those states, in particular Florida has no real reason to complain.
posted on September 19, 2004 11:48:56 AM newTwelvepole, Stonecold I don't imagine you all have ever lived in "hurricane territory." Hurricanes aren’t as predictable as it may seem to those who haven't lived most of their lives in hurricane territory.
One minute the hurricane is projected to make land fall one place, and later in the day it has moved. In my life time I've seen them make major turns, go in almost opposite directions, or make major right or left turns.
If I pulled auctions or closed web sites any time there is some type of bad weather predicted; weather which "could" take us off line, I'd be spending tons of useless time, since most of the predictions never come to pass.
Obviously, we were prepared, we have a generator, and are getting a second one. Plus, although we are totally electric; we have a standard 150 gallon propane tank hooked up outside, and a totally unused but new cooking stove that runs on propane. Bottom line, we believe in being prepared way beyond hurricane threats. We normally keep enough water and food on hand for at least 3 months, including dog food for our 5 indoor “fur babies.”
AND I did set my e-mail on Earthlink “to auto respond” to tell people that we “could be off line” for a while, and also posted a notice on our web site check out forms. That didn’t stop people from ordering from our web sites and requesting Next Day, 2nd or 3rd day shipping.
Our only problem was no power for the shop or shipping department.
NOW, PTL, our power is back on, but it is interesting to read the answers to my question. We are pulling in part time help to assist in packing, since so many orders are back up, especially on items requested for 1,2,or 3 day shipping.
Personally, I think asking anymore of a seller is being quite unreasonable.
