Question: Evil Bay

[peterd79]

Here's a question for ya...
what is an acceptable period of time to wait for a seller to ship something that was purchased and paid for immediately on the bay? I bought an Amp last friday and was told it would ship monday, and then monday i was told it would ship tuesday... I asked for the tracking number and have not heard anything... at what point should i panic?

[threeminutesboy]

Always give the guy the benefit of the doubt

Many reason for not shipping immediately the guy might be buried under tone of work. try to call him if you have his details and make sure everything is Kosher

[beej]

I usually give two weeks before I get mad. If you used PP you're at least protected so can get your money back if there's an issue. (And really, if that's the case you have all the power.)

[peterd79]

Always give the guy the benefit of the doubt

Many reason for not shipping immediately the guy might be buried under tone of work. try to call him if you have his details and make sure everything is Kosher

Yeah i guess when hearing about the Silo that took forever to ship it's got me a bit on edge about people trying to pull a quick one.

[Slav123]

I always check the seller's feedback and pay close attention to shipping and item condition comments from buyers. Some people are just a bit slow when it comes to shipping due to their jobs and location. Plus, you had purchased a large and heavy item (amp) so, potentially the seller needs a longer than usual period of time to find the appropriate packaging materials. If they have 100% Positive feedback with lots of sales (vs. purchases) and there weren't any past shipping issues with other buyers - I wouldn't worry.

Don't panic!
Slav

[jamminjim]

After a week and a couple of song and dances I'd open up a PayPal dispute so that (1) the lack of seller action is documented and (2) so the seller knows that you don't take piss-poor customer service lightly.
Then if nothing happens upgrade it to a claim as soon as it is possible.

Don't let idiots off the hook.

[peterd79]

After a week and a couple of song and dances I'd open up a PayPal dispute so that (1) the lack of seller action is documented and (2) so the seller knows that you don't take piss-poor customer service lightly.
Then if nothing happens upgrade it to a claim as soon as it is possible.

Don't let idiots off the hook.

that's exactly what my co-worker said... not that i don't trust him but he's not a knucklehead...

when i spoke with him via email on saturday he said that it was packed up, labled and ready to go. I guess im learning to be more patient...

[bkrumme]

I've sold a bit on eBay and as a seller I make it a priority to ship as quickly as I can. I'm also a private seller, don't have a store or shop, and have the luxury of leaving work early if I need to. Other sellers may not have that luxury.

There have been times when I've run into problems getting an item packed and shipped. If that happens I try my best to let the buyer know. I always set an expectation and if I don't meet it *I* make first contact. Other sellers may not do that.

Being a public forum for selling pretty much anything you want means you'll get a wide variety of buyers and sellers alike. This is both a blessing and a curse when you're trying to sell something. It's unfortunate, but some of the sellers just don't know a lick about customer service.

Make sure you stay in constant communication, even if it's only one way. I'd send a message every few days to get a status (definitely NOT every day, every 3 days works well). Nothing mean, just a polite request for an update. If you don't hear back by the end of the second or third week, open up a dispute. Then use the dispute resolution process to get things squared away.

[jamminjim]

Peter I look at it this way - I treat customers even better than I expect to be treated. It's too darned easy to just pickup the phone or send an email and let a customer know if you are having difficulty getting something done (shipped) as promised or required. This seller of yours could do that, and in fact should do that. Granted, a lot of ebay sellers are amateur business people and are kind of non-challant (sp) about prompt shipping among other things. That's probably even more reason to keep them on a tight leash. The seller can get your phone number in less than a minute, provided your information is up to date and he/she isn't clueless. And an email is too simple. So, what is the sellers problem?
Your coworker sounds like he/she has been there, like myself and others here. I've been through what you're experienceing, and worse, a few times.
Opening a PP dispute does not in any way hurt anyone. It's a very good idea when communication breaks down or is poor.
This is off the PP website: "You must wait 7 days to allow for shipping before opening a dispute for an item not received" and they advise to "Open dispute right away".

[peterd79]

I was the same way...
i try to sell locally through the list but when i put up a stratty up on the bay i took pictures from every possible angle, cleaned it and put it in the case and in the box, packed it and waited for it to sell and as soon as the bidding was done (within the hour) i contacted them and said that it would be shipped before the morning. I provided plenty of communication assuring the buyer...
i've typically had really good success with prompt shipments.

I don't want to be over bearing but at the same time I love communication and breakdowns in large purchases tend to get me a bit on edge.

[njhammer]

Weather can be an issue too. I recently waited 10 days to receive a guitar I paid for immediately from a 6 hour drive away (OH to NJ). As long as you continue to get response from the seller, that's usually good. Paypal is a good fallback.

[ScoobySteve]

I'm super super cautious on eBay.

As others have stated first, I meticulously research their feedback and buyers comments. I try to avoid private sellers due to accountability issues, and the only way I buy from them is if I establish an open line of communication first.

If shipping time, expectancy, etc. is not outlined in their ad then I usually stay away. A seller who is too lazy to invest time and effort into a thorough and properly detailed Ad is probably too lazy to ship and package your item thoroughly and properly.

My $.02

[bbake1]

I've sold a bit on eBay and as a seller I make it a priority to ship as quickly as I can. I'm also a private seller, don't have a store or shop, and have the luxury of leaving work early if I need to. Other sellers may not have that luxury.

There have been times when I've run into problems getting an item packed and shipped. If that happens I try my best to let the buyer know. I always set an expectation and if I don't meet it *I* make first contact. Other sellers may not do that.

Being a public forum for selling pretty much anything you want means you'll get a wide variety of buyers and sellers alike. This is both a blessing and a curse when you're trying to sell something. It's unfortunate, but some of the sellers just don't know a lick about customer service.

Make sure you stay in constant communication, even if it's only one way. I'd send a message every few days to get a status (definitely NOT every day, every 3 days works well). Nothing mean, just a polite request for an update. If you don't hear back by the end of the second or third week, open up a dispute. Then use the dispute resolution process to get things squared away.

+1. Same rules apply for me personally.

[jam3v]

I've done a lot of buying and selling on eBay and I can tell you that it's really easy to figure out who's ultimately going to (try to) F you over.

Stuff happens - that's life, but if the guy isn't very communicative about delays then you know something's up.

I always look to the terms and conditions for both eBay and PayPal when I have a problem because those are paramount if a dispute gets opened up. I believe eBay grants a 7 day period for shipping, even though sellers have to explicitly state their "processing" times in their listings.

I always give people the benefit of the doubt if and only if they're communicative. If I pay some stranger on the internet money for something and I don't hear back from him or receive any shipment notification in 7 days there's absolutely no reason for me NOT to file a dispute.

[browndog]

I don’t won’t to turn this into Evil Bay horror stories but I have used ebay once. Years ago I bought a guitar from overseas. Paid immediately and soon after the seller disappeared. I contacted ebay, PP and ebays legal dept. (forget their name). Bottom line was to take it up with local police. I gave up and lost $400. I guess I was too naive.