Late eBay deliveries and sob stories.

[MsHopey]

I'm just wondering how many people experiences the same thing as me, and what you to do regarding the sellers feedback.
Essentially, I've always had parcels come a week or 2 after the estimated delivery date, when I have chased this up with the seller I've been given a story along the lines of "I couldn't get to the post office because my nan died", "my mother was in a car accident", "my son has been stuck in hospital for weeks, but I sent it as soon as i could".
I always used to give these people the benefit of the doubt, especially if I wasn't in a massive rush for the item. I have been ebaying for 10 years. I used to just leave no feedback in the start of my eBay days, thinking I didn't want to tarnish their record if they were telling the truth, so I thought it seemed quite fair.
But over the years this has been happening more and more frequently, I have had 3 items this month with no dispatched confirmation, I've waited a week and a half, and when I've chased it up, I've had the sob stories.
I don't know if I was always naive, or if there's just a lot of bad luck about. I've heard buyers use excuses not to pay for items aswell, like unexpected funerals.
Am I just getting bitter or are people just full or crap? I don't like to leave negative feedback because it feels mean. Wwyd? And do others get these sob stories too?

People are full of crap. I sell a lot on eBay for myself and other people and always post same or next day.
Of course you should either neg or mark down their performance stars or they'll just keep doing it. If everyone lets these bad sellers think it's all fine and they can offer crap service without fear of sanction then they'll never change.

I buy from Ebay alot I v rarely get this sort of thing

I am meh about it unless it causes me inconvenience

As a seller, I'm sick to death of 'my paypal doesn't work', 'I'm waiting for a new bank card' .... blah blah blah.... liar lair pats on fire, it's a week before payday and you have no money.

I’m sure people do make up excuses often but sometimes it is the truth.
I sold something through Facebook recently and had to post phone the buyer coming to pick up as started bleeding (was late in pregnancy) the same morning and had to go to hospital.
As I messaged her I did think that I wouldn’t be believed

If i thought a seller was trying it on, but did eventually get the item & it was as described I'd leave + feedback but low star ratings and probably just put something like "item as described but delivery slow".

I sold a wedding dress (I had bought 6!!) Which got lost in the post. Obviously, for the first 2 weeks we were both hoping it would arrive, I had sent a photo of the proof of postage. at the same time, I was nursing my Dad through his last days from cancer which was diagnosed late and it all happened suddenly. I let her know this as I couldn't always answer emails.
I ended up refunding in full after I had a vile email from her which arrived after I returned from the hospice after he died. I don't expect for a minute she believed me but it was genuine. It was also the only item that ever got lost in 10 years of selling.
Had I been in a better place, I would have stalked her ebay account to see if it ever went up for sale!

I like winegum’s approach. I also think it helps other buyers to manage their expectations regarding delivery.

I haven't bought much from eBay in the last couple of years. However last two times, items were quite late. I did get messages from both though without asking. First one apologised as she was in labour! Second person claimed her best friend had just died.
I didn't leave negative feedback, just in case they are telling the truth! Although I only give feedback if I get it

I have to admit hippy that I wouldn't believe you either. Listing an old wedding dress is hardly time sensitive. Either you need the money in which case you need to take the time to sort things when they go wrong in a timely fashion or it's not urgent and don't put up an eBay listing when you have more urgent and stressful events going on in your life. Pick a lane.

I once had to apologise because the post office was closed due to a power cut, as it was Friday I wouldn't be able to post till Monday as there was no post office near my home.

Have also had people say problems with paypal etc, i usually am not in a hurry so wait a week or so before doing second chance offer.

I think I'll do what winegum said.
If someone is in a rush for an item it is a bit annoying when it takes 2 weeks for someone to get to the post office. But I also know people's lives don't revolve around eBay.
I really thought it happened a lot, and I always figured some excuses were genuine, but it's hard to believe loads of people are going through it at the time I'm buying things.