Seller changes delivery arrangements

[meggconnolly]

After winning an auction and paying via PayPal within half an hour the seller emailed me thanking me for the prompt payment and to tell me they were on holiday until 24 August and would send the item upon their return. The information provided when I was considering buying stated that the seller shipped within two days of confirmed payment, it also indicated that the estimated delivery time was 13 or 14 August. I purchased this item for a special event on 23 August, so it is no good to me after that. I emailed the seller asking her to arrange for someone else to send perhaps, I have not heard back. Is this sort of behaviour by a seller acceptable? I also checked their other items they have the same delivery dates. I would have thought they knew they were going on holiday and adjusted the delivery info accordingly!

[meggconnolly]

Thanks for the info, my polite email worked and the item shipped immediately and I now have the item.

[meggconnolly]

Thank you for taking the time to provide this info, very helpful and my friendly email to the seller letting them know I needed the item for a special event worked, they shipped immediately and I already have it.

[meggconnolly]

Thank you, very helpful, the seller actually arranged for the item to be sent after getting my polite email explaining I was relying on getting the item for a special event, it has already arrived.

[meggconnolly]

Great advice, thanks. My email to the seller worked the item has already arrive and beautifully packaged, very happy.

[meggconnolly]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to provide advice, all very informative, it is great to have this forum to get help. It was great that the seller sent the item straight away when they got my email explaining I needed the item for a special event and was relying on it being dispatched as stated.

[lane-ends]

Polite emails to sellers always gets the best possible results.

All these "calls to burn them at the stake" are just arrogance.

Keep in mind auction listings cant be changed once they have bids. Holiday settings dont take effect until started, there is no forewarning. People do go away at short notice, life does that at times. If a seller has many listings it is impossible to edit them for one offs. 

Listings ending close to departure date are always a problem.

If something is wanted in a hurry it is always best to contact seller first to see if they can comply, rather than click and hope. eg They may have a one day turn around, but if asked may be able to make an extra effort to catch next post. Or send express even if not listed. Allways best to ask.