Be Wary of eBay Handling Time Rules

by: GetAGrip

We have always had 10 shipping time. If buyers don't like it then they are free to buy elsewhere. They just aren't that important.

by: ebayout

You can't sell to the instant gratification crowd with over a 2 day handling.
Amazon has overnite delivery. This ain't 1950.

by: Lightning

It certainly depends on the type of item you are selling.  I have had 1 day shipping for as long as I can remember. Never had any problem meeting that, but it wouldn't work for everyone.  A few times a year I go past the 1 day, but within the allowable percent.  

If you can do it, it's just good business.  A competitive edge, professional appearance, attracts more buyers, etc.

by: MeAgain

It's to accommodate China. Ebay folks were just over there doing dog and pony shows for Chinese sellers.

by: Snapped

This roots as an example of how eBay stumbles when the need for accommodating a diverse marketplace with differing requirements exists.  

They seem to pay some attention in their explanatory phrasing to at least acknowledge there may be times when an extended handling time is ‘appropriate’, even loosening their grip on fulfillment control ‘selections’, for which they have no business controlling at all in any event.  But they still reserve any ‘reward’ for what THEY (not the buyers) deem badge-worthy, for those who’ pegs fit their one-sized round holed ‘vision’ of eCom success.  Mass market consumables at volume.  For which ‘handling’ is but one link in an automated supply chain.

It does indeed depend on what you sell.  But it seems more to depend on what eBay wants to ‘support’ you selling.

by: spooky

I have been 1 day time for years and in USA fine. But oversea mail it doesn't matter as even when I used eBay International Standard I was forced to give over $800 in refunds when items took 30 days to deliver. Over 24 years selling on ebay and 23 1/2 years worldwide option but NEVER again

by: Whatever

Me Again nailed this one on the head - tells the whole story.

by: critical_sceptic

I occasionally can't meet my 1 day handling time, typically due to customer requests to add to an order or do something special to the mostly vintage stuff we sell, but the percentage rules stop me having to stress about that. However opening up the window beyond 30 days handling, not shipping, must have minimal impact on the ebay bottom line as the reasons for needing it can only be related to selling something that doesn't yet exist.  

by: zeek6228

I always ship orders within 24 hours but put 5 day handling time.

This completely scares away the "did you ship yet, wheres my package, did you ship yet, where is it, when is it going to get here, what is taking so long, it is still in michigan, can you contact the post office, if it doesn't arrive i don't want it" buyers.

You will blow away the patient buyers expectations when the item arrives 3 days early turning them into repeat customers.

I never understood people promising same day shipping. What happens if a loved one has a heart attack, someone has an accident, there is a fire, etc... Bad enough to deal with that but then you have to deal with angry buyers and negative feedback and defects because the poor victims package wasn't dropped off until the next day.  

by: Michael in BC

I've had 1-day shipping for a very long time.  I'm in Canada, and sell mostly old postcards and old paper ephemera, which is a blessing as that's not the sort of thing that buyers need immediately.   Sales to US buyers can be challenging sometimes, so I've taken to including in bold letters in my lot descriptions:  "This lot is coming from Canada" and noting that the expected delivery time to a US address is 2.5 to 3 weeks.  A few weeks back I had a case opened by a buyer in Virginia, who paid on a Friday night and was distressed when her packet wasn't delivered by the following Tuesday morning.  I messaged her to go to the listing and click on the shipping tab, then enter her zip code and see what eBay's estimated delivery time would be .......... 3 weeks.  The packet arrived the next week (1.5 weeks in transit), so she did close the case as resolved.  I doubt she'll ever buy from a Canadian seller again, as, sadly, we can't guarantee cross-border, cross-continent overnight delivery for the $3 she paid for shipping.        

by: Mazdaman

I agree with Whatever and Me Again, who said it was to accommodate China.  Since eBay was recently strengthening their ties to China (while others are shunning China), eBay doesn't want the circus they put on for their Chinese dog-and-pony show to go to waste.  Its clear they'll do ANYTHING for their new Masters in China!

by: COVID-19

30-day handling, dawgs! If buyers want something badly enough, they can wait.

by: Rexford

MeAgain nailed it and it is what I also instantly thought.  Absolutely for their Chinese sellers.

by: BackOff

When you have 3 or 5 days handling time, it will eliminate most Amazon resellers that expect you to drop ship an item for them which they’re selling for a marked up profit. These are the folks who ask you to not enclose a packing slip too.