@*tippy*toes* wrote:
@yoda007 wrote:
Hi all, just thought i would share a response from ebay about estimated delivery dates. I have just put a sentence on all my listings to NOT rely on the ebay estimated delivery date as they are often incorrect. We are getting more cases opened against us from international buyers because the item had not arrived in expected time, yet we posted same day as purchase.
This is their response
Just to inform you that eBay estimated delivery date, is not incorrect. It is eBay system who calculated this, it is a collective data. We based it on other seller who delivered the same item from the item location, same as to you, posted to the location of the buyer. As long as your listing has the correct handling time, dimensions and weight. Then there is no reason for your item to be posted to your buyer, late.
What a joke, customs and postal delays overseas are plenty of reasons for delay in delivery. Sellers can never be on the right side, no matter if you post instantly, it is still our fault if the item is delayed.
I'm starting to get very tired of their nonsense and we have been selling for 19 years.
I read that as them thinking you were posting outside of your handling time, hence the item arriving after the estimate.
The really annoying thing about the estimate is buyers see it as gospel. I've lost track of how many feedbacks I've seen for sellers where they have complained it's 1 or 2 days late. I blame ebay for that. After all, they tell buyers if it hasn't arrived by the date in the listing, they can have their money back and then keep the item when it arrives the next day.
This is the very reason I blew my handling time out to 5 days, but still post same or next day. It fattens out the estimate.
That is how I read it too. In fact, if i were the seller, I would be highlighting that sentence and replying to ebay. Don't let accusations like that slip past. I would say that no, I post very quickly after a sale, within 24 hours, but have no control over the postal service.
But to do that, the seller would need to have proof of date of postage.
I think it is sensible of sellers to extend their handling time out to cover themselves. I also think ebay is not happy this is happening as it is making estimated delivery times look slower. I am sure at times they think to themselves- eg this or that seller should not be taking 5 days to post an item. They don't realise often the sellers post within a day, they are just covering their backsides.
Ebay would be better to take note only of postage dates, not arrival dates. And reward sellers who have proof of postage within 48 hours of a sale.
Yes, buyers do see the estimated arrival date as pretty much the benchmark. Nothing is going to change that.
