KateArtist
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posted on September 20, 2001 05:49:13 PM new
I have a full time job and make and then sell artworks on Ebay. I usually manage to get an item shipped out either priority or First class within a week of payment.
I had a customer complain in a good feedback that the possibility of it taking a week to get the item shipped out should be explained in advance. That seemed unreasonable to me as most companies only ever promise an item to be shipped within 6 weeks and I usually get it to the customer within 2 weeks.
I know a lot of other sellers promise that the item will be shipped immediately upon payment. While that's nice, it doesn't seem like something that should reasonably be expected of all sellers should it?
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Meya
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posted on September 20, 2001 05:54:37 PM new
Do you put in your auctions that you ship "within X number of business days"? I sell too, I normally ship within 3 business days of receiving payment, unless I'm holding the item while the check clears. I state this in my EOA letter.
When I buy, I tend to expect shipping to be prompt as well, unless of course it is spelled out in the auction. I think those sellers who ship once per week, or only on certain days, should state it clearly in the auction. If you do that, then there isn't any room for a buyer to fuss.
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keziak
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posted on September 20, 2001 05:55:51 PM new
Some sellers put in their email, I think, that they ship twice a week or only on Fridays or whatever. I don't normally see this in auction listings. I think there IS an expectation of fast turn-around on auctions just because that's what people normally do.
keziak
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mikea
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posted on September 20, 2001 05:58:10 PM new
I have been shipping only once a week for at least a year now.I sometimes get letters asking when their item was shipped but have had no complaints.
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WeRuleWithTechnology
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posted on September 20, 2001 06:02:54 PM new
I ship on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and I state so in my auctions. I've never had anyone complain, and only a couple of times has anyone said something like "I hope I paid you in time to be shipped tomorrow."
I think all sellers should state their shipping policies, as far as a time frame, in their auctions. Otherwise, you're just asking for trouble. JMHO
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kittykittykitty
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posted on September 20, 2001 06:21:38 PM new
in my experience, most sellers ship within 3 days of payment. i do the same. so since this is what most sellers are doing, yes, i think it'd be a good idea if you stated in your listings how long it usually takes you to ship. it'll cut down a lot on worried buyers (not to mention your having to answer 'where is my item?' emails) if they know this in advance.
k3
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sulyn1950
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posted on September 20, 2001 06:23:01 PM new
I used to do a lot of catalog shopping. I paid the shipping which was usually based on total cost than on weight and I counted on receiving it within a month! I did it because that was "standard" and I was happy to be able to get something I could not have purchased any other way.
Then I found auctions, I really didn't think of shipping or shipping time as an issue until I began to realize just how fast I was receiving my items! I got spoiled. Now, if I don't have my item in 7 days, I start thinking it's "lost" and start emailing the seller!!!!!
When I started selling, becuase I could, I shipped the same day payment was received. I liked getting my items fast and figured others did too.
At first I always received comments about how fast my shipping was in my FB, along the lines of "super fast shipping WOW". Now, I don't get so much "super fast" comments. There more along the line of " very prompt" or "very quick". Haven't had a "WOW" in close to a year. Why? I think it's because most sellers do ship within a day or two of receiving payment and since the online payment services make it possible to have payment within the hour if not faster, it's sort of become the norm to have your package within a week!
The cost of shipping has also "morphed" into an area where buyers are super sensitive! When I first started buying/selling I rarely saw FB for any seller that complained about shipping prices. Now I see it more and more. I've been lucky that nobody has ever left me a complaint in my FB, but it won't surprise me if/when they do!
If you cannot ship any sooner, you might want to put some timeframe into your auctions as to when you will ship the item so that impatient buyers (like me  ) will know it won't get there by the next day! It may save you a NEG for slow shipping!
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GreetingsfromUK
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posted on September 20, 2001 06:34:29 PM new
I sell World Wide. In present circumstances, there is no time limit.
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KateArtist
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posted on September 20, 2001 06:43:51 PM new
Hmmm, it hasn't been my experience as a buyer that most ship within 3 days. I usually get the item within 2 to 3 weeks, almost never within 1 week.
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ewora
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posted on September 20, 2001 07:02:15 PM new
I state in my auctions that I ship within 1-3 business days after payment is received. Get great comments about fast shipping so that my not be the norm.
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Meya
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posted on September 20, 2001 07:05:53 PM new
As a buyer, I think my average is receiving the item in 10 days or so is normal. I always try to get payment out that day or the next too. I would say that 90% of the stuff I buy is to my door in under 2 weeks.
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sadie999
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posted on September 20, 2001 07:08:07 PM new
I'm a once a weeker, but I state it in my auctions. The only complaints I've had were from people who took almost three weeks to pay (naturally). A few special requests to ship sooner (most of which I obliged). And a couple of questions from people who don't read. During holiday season, I'll ship daily.
I'm actually amazed when I get a "fast ship!" feedback, but I get them pretty regularly.
Edited to add: I don't hold most checks - so in some instances I'm shipping sooner than sellers who ship daily but hold checks for two weeks.
[ edited by sadie999 on Sep 20, 2001 07:10 PM ]
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mandalore
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posted on September 20, 2001 07:29:07 PM new
If I get a PayPal or money order I ship the very next business day. If possible I ship the same day I receive a PayPal or MO! Makes for some pretty stellar feedback and some extremely happy REPEAT customers. Luckily though I have the convience of being able to make it to the PO every day before they close. I realize with some peoples work schedules that is just not possible. Luckily it is for me.
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sulyn1950
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posted on September 20, 2001 07:41:11 PM new
KateArtist-Maybe it's the area you buy in or the method of shipment? I almost exclusively buy in the jewelry categories and items are usually shipped Priority. In over 75 transactions as a buyer, I have only had 1 take longer than a week. It had been sent to the wrong person the first time around. Even at that I had it in under 2 weeks.
Most are well under a week. The fastest was 2 days! Still haven't figured out how that one was done! I asked the seller if she was phychic and had sent it to me before the auction closed! She got a WOW in her FB! 
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KateArtist
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posted on September 20, 2001 08:17:26 PM new
I do most of my buying in the jewelry category too. Maybe a bit over half. They are faster than the antique dealers, but they still rarely make it in less than a week.
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sulyn1950
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posted on September 20, 2001 08:34:09 PM new
DateArtist-Do they ship Priority? I have seen posts which indicate some think it's a waste and maintain items don't really get there all that much faster than 1ST Class.
However, since I do get my items in under a week, I must conclude it's the only way to go!!!
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mballai
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posted on September 20, 2001 09:53:47 PM new
I ship next business day. If I get an order early enough, say before 6AM, it goes out the same day most of the time.
99% percent of my items are books so they go media mail. I want them to get there as soon as possible, so no check holding and no baloney: barcoded zip+4 label and they FLY! Average time is about 4-6 days.
Whether it's reasonable to ship once a week or once a day does not matter. Customers want their stuff and the faster you deliver it the better. Shipments that take more than a week can seem like an eternity to them.
Every business decision you make needs to ask the question: "Does this add value to the transaction or not." If there's nothing in it for the customer, it needs to be modified until it does or discarded.
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hwahwahwahwa
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posted on September 20, 2001 10:07:51 PM new
if you accept credit cards,you are expected to ship within 2 business days.now if they use paypal or billpoint,i am not sure if it applies as well.
FTC said all mail orders should ship within 30 days after payment is received.
i think one week is reasonable buy online bidders have been very spoiled,also some may be resellers,they need the item so they can resell,or worse,they have already sold it
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KateArtist
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posted on September 20, 2001 10:44:07 PM new
Do they ship Priority?
Some do, some don't. The fastest seem to be first class with tiny packages - But then again, I receive many small first class packages 2 plus weeks later.
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