From what I have read in posts by other sellers, it sounds as if you may have to choose a slightly longer handling time so that the ebay estimate gives you a couple of days more. that should cover you for most deliveries.

It is hard as sometimes the estimates are very optimistic but on the whole, I have found them to be in the ball park for most of my deliveries & I think it is because the sellers choose their handling times carefully.

It's a hard call for you in some ways as I think buyers do expect parcels to arrive within the estimated time frame so you do need to be mindful of that, but at the same time, you don't want to push the handling time or delivery dates out too far as that might influence a sale too.

does it have something to do with the FAST AND FREE thingy?     Can you opt out of Fast and Free?

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@curraone wrote:

does it have something to do with the FAST AND FREE thingy?     Can you opt out of Fast and Free?

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I don't know as I am not a regular seller but I would imagine you could & that fast and free is optional.

It certainly isn't on everything I buy, anyway.

Buyers do seem to like reasonably fast and postage included etc but (for me at least) waiting a few days for delivery is not a deal breaker. At Christmas time though I looked at estimates carefully for a couple of items as I wanted them as gifts so that did influence who I bought from.

wp_extras   items show as FAST and FREE

so if you can't do it in the time, you need to find out how to opt out of this option

I have no problems with delivery estimates that ebay show and most items will arrive before the date shown. It is only on items posted by letter that delays occur and you need to add extra handling times and maybe a message in the listing. I will add sent letter post to keep the postage price down but can take a few days extra.