Letting customers know you're away

[kathskollection]

Hi there.  Just wondering if there is an easy way to let customers know you'll be away for a bit.  I am a non-store seller. 

thanks

[*tippy*toes*]

Only thing you can do is end your listings if you're going to be away for any length of time. Only store holders have the option of going into holiday mode.

[lowanacrafts]

I am a non store holder and on holiday at the moment.

I took off all listings , as it would be 3 weeks.  all I did was sent a little note with the customers last order or to my 1/2 doz best repeat buyers. 

[robboscoke]

You can set up an "Out of Office" email response through your My Message on eBay.
Just go into your My Messages and click on change settings (Top right hand corner).
Then click on Turn On - Out of office email response
You will be able to customise a message in there and also set the dates to turn it on and off.

[lizzyamelia]

I have in the past increased handling time to 30 days when I have been away due to holidays/hospital stays/recoveries when I have not been able to get computer access.

[davewil1964]

Op's items seem to be auctions.

Apart from my feelings about the value of auctions, the easiest way is to end them.

For one, buyers don't really care if you extend your handling time to 30 days - they will generally give a neg for same. As I would, unless I actually read the delivery estimate. Which I would, but I am definitely not a typical buyer.

[*tippy*toes*]

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@robboscoke wrote:

You can set up an "Out of Office" email response through your My Message on eBay.
Just go into your My Messages and click on change settings (Top right hand corner).
Then click on Turn On - Out of office email response
You will be able to customise a message in there and also set the dates to turn it on and off.

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How is an out of office message going to stop people bidding or buying? Wouldn't a message only be any good if a buyer sent a message? Most of my buyers don't send a message. They buy, they pay, they expect me to post in a reasonable time.

Edit: OP must have decided to take a chance as she's relisted several of her items. Not a risk I'd be taking.

[beakychew]

I pay for a Store purely for holiday mode. You can even do it for just a month if needed, then unsubscribe.

Although it's not a perfect solution.

Even though each listing has a note added stating that your store is temporarily closed until xx/xx/xx, it's possible for buyers to miss it. And Ebay doesn't update your postage estimates!

I've even had one Late Post Defect for an item ordered while my Store was in holiday mode, so Ebay didn't take it into account in their system.

[kathskollection]

Thanks for the input everyone.  I'm not away, just getting ahead for when I am.  🙂 

[beakychew]

I opened a store for this reason and it partly solves the problem.

BTW, you can just subscribe for one month, then cancel!

When you set holiday mode for a store, each of your listings has a notice added at the top saying that youre away, shipping "might" take longer, and when you'll be back.

But item shippping time estimates are not altered, and I've had one late shipping defect for an item bought while my store was on holiday.

And some buyers won't see the notice at the top.

Sometimes, I send all those who buy while I'm away a message reminding them that I am away and will ship on xxx date.

But it's tedious. A holiday should be a holiday!