The 3 working day dispatch "rule"

[LemonDrop22]

Do you do this?

I mostly list items as buy it now and it's inconvenient constantly having to go to PO etc.

Do you just state that you only post once a week?

You used to be able to change the dispatch time, its in one of the drop down options in the postage section unless they removed it? Some people only post once or twice a week, they usually put it in the listing as well to cover themselves.

Thanks, I've checked in the settings and it seems to be under Preferences, bug the maximum you can select is 3 working days.

I take it you just try to override that by saying every Saturday, for example.

People may not look in the description properly though. And ebay will be telling them a delivery date that's not representative.

A lot of people don't read the listing at all. You might be able to use holiday time away, so that people can still buy the item but will get a warning that it will won't be posted until X date.

I’ve got loads of stuff listed atm and I’ve just checked and there’s a ‘Dispatch time’ box on each item that you can choose anything up to 10 working days - which is what I have mine set to despite the fact I usually post next day.

I’m sure that the ‘estimated delivery time’ on a listing to a degree reflects past performance, the the help info backs that up.
As mentioned above you can change your settings for your ‘despatch’ time

www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/estimated-delivery-dates-sellers?id=4086

I aim to send on the same day or next day from payment, but I have not specified that and left it as 3 days.
This covers me if I fail to do so. I try to avoid my auctions ending on an unsuitable date, but I often accept offers which means I could sell at any time - recently I sold an item within hours which included offer, accept and payment

I’m often away for long weekends during the summer etc, which at its worst could be Thursday afternoon to Monday night

But Ive also fallen foul to Vinted ‘offers’ thinking at first that an offer indicated I was about to make a sale, so Ive rushed home to pick up an item making sure that I’m able to post it if paid while I’m away …. And then heard nothing again
(Even with one item I was asked on 18th October if I could post by Friday as it was needed for Sunday the 30th ….. it’s now 3 weeks later)

I have not yet set any holiday periods, but I have messaged buyers if I’m going to have a delay such as a Saturday sale that I won’t get out until after the weekend - On every occasion the buyer has been happy with no urgency.

On one occasion I sold an item which the buyer was happy with the 2nd class postage but did highlight that they needed to allow for adjustments ready for a function - just reassuring that I can get it on the way quickly.
At only a little extra it was worth it to ‘upgrade’ to 1st class, and as a result protected us from delay and for me a delighted message back with appreciative feedback

If you set a realistic despatch time and add a footnote in your description then you’re being fair to buyers. Consider multiple postage options, eg you post on Fridays with 2nd class as your default, 1st as an extra option
Then perhaps allow for someone to message you and ask nicely for something quicker - it may turn out to be convenient and you manage it or not

PS I am in a convenient position that (at least until Covid happened) I have a post office counter around the corner at my local garage.
They used to have long hours with the post office desk open as long as the staff on hand were post office trained
Now less so, still longer than the ‘proper’ post office but sometimes the trained staff aren’t available so a ‘sorry’ sign is up

As well as that there is a priority parcel post box nearby, so as long as I’m preprinting the label and am willing to not have the proof of postage reciept I can drop off on a 24 hour basis.
I have access to courier lockers a bit further away which has only once had the problem of the right size locker not being available

*As mentioned above you can change your settings for your ‘despatch’ time

www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/estimated-delivery-dates-sellers?id=4086*

The only place I can edit despatch time is under Preferences in the listing, and my only options are 1, 2 and 3 working days.

Is this because I'm a not a business seller?

I do not do auctions, I do pretty much everything BIN and it sometimes leads to a constant stream of items having to be posted within 3 working days.

I do think if I write something different in my description, people may not read it, and eBay will be giving them a different (much earlier) delivery date.

Are you a business seller?

Where are you seeing it.

I only get this;

I logged in and checked, I'm not a business seller and can delay posting up to 10 days. I wonder if customer services would help?

Maybe add something in the description to state what your posting days are.

Slightly off topic but has anybody been finding that royal mail tracked delivery status is sometimes not updating? I am having an autumn clear out and got positive feedback for some sales where the tracking information still shows them as accepted in the post office or in transit.

I might save a few pounds and opt only for second class.

Yes

I’ve generally found that tracking information can be delayed quite a bit, but it does to a degree give reassurance when something is in transit along the way and not been delivered yet

Traditionally I’ve gone for ‘signed for’ as my minimum, but for a couple of cheap items recently I’ve put up basic 2nd class because with the extra cost they wouldn’t be worth selling - I’m undecided

@LemonDrop22 Royal Mail are collecting parcels for free until the end of the year although I've heard a rumour it's likely to be permanent if this helps.

There are more options on the desk top site for and sometimes using the bulk listing tool is better. I’ve got mine set at 5 days but 30 days is an option

Maybe this is it.

I only use the app.

Thanks for the info.

Thanks for that.

It's odd.

Are you on the web, rather than an app?

I use a desktop PC, not a mobile gadget so I think thats the difference.

If you can't see the option I'd use the holiday feature. I used it when I had covid, it really helps.

I tend to post most days so have a 2 day despatch listed