Here's my perspective as a buyer.

I am often on the internet on a computer at night or else very early in the morning. Sometimes I will go on ebay and have a browse and occasionally fire off a question. I do it there and then, even if it is eg 11pm or 5am, because that's when it is convenient for me to do it.

BUT I don't expect the seller to be hanging on the end of his computer or phone, ready to answer questions.

I would generally expect an answer within a 24-48 hour time frame though. Any longer than that and I am not overly impressed.

I've actually been disconcerted in the past when I have received an answer on the spot. I recall once sending a query (not on ebay but to a photobook company) at about 11.30pm on a Friday night, and receiving an immediate reply. I felt embarrassed that I had disturbed someone but he was fine with it.

Do you have to answer queries on a weekend? No, you don't have to. But do you often go all weekend without accessing the internet at all? I don't know of anyone under 70 who can claim that any more.

My advice would be don't feel you have to answer queries instantly but maybe if you are going online eg on Sunday, then after you've checked out your Facebook and other sites, devote 15 minutes of the time to answer any queries that have come in. That way, you have Saturday free and no one really has to wait much over 24 hours for a reply.

My perspective as a seller>

When we were selling a fair bit each week, we used to check the computer each morning and answer queries then. So once a day. It suited us.