How do I respond to this email from a buyer???

[guyFAwkesreQuiem]

He bought (and paid for) an item off me on the 12th November (last wednesday) evening. On my listings I have clearly stated that I aim to dispatch within 5 business days of payment clearing (which by my calculations would be tomorrow for his item).

Seconds before this email arrived I bulk emailed all my buyers from last week explaining that due to unforseen circumstances (sick children) I would be unable to fulfill my promise to dispatch within 5 business days but will get the items out on Thursday or Friday - so he will also have got this email (I guess we were composing our emails at the same time).

He emailed me the other day asking me to leave feedback and asking when I would be posting the item - and I replied to tell him I would leave feedback once the transaction had been completed from both sides (ie I'd sent it and he'd got it) and pointing out my 5 day dispatch note.

His email today says

"You are to leave feedback once payment has been received, which it has been, days ago. ebay policy!!! I would appreicate it if you could post this item as soon as possible, I have purchased items after yours and I have received them already. For such a small item it could be posted straight away I dont see why would have such a delay when item was paid for over 5 days ago."

Bearing in mind that I had DS2 up all night Wednesday night (at the drs on Thursday) having had an asthma attack, so couldn't go and post it then, he still wasn't well on Friday so couldn't go into town on that day either. Then yesterday both DS1 and DS3 came within a whisker of being admitted to hospital because of chest infections.......

actually I'm talking rubbish - the listing ended on Thursday afternoon and payment received that day. So 5 business days would be Thursday.

please? anyone?

I'm tempted to reply to him to get his head out his arse - read that my listing was 5 business day dispatch (so not even bloody "late" sending it yet), that my children nearly ending up in hospital was of much more concern to me that posting his wretched Dora the exporer figures and that I'll send his item when I can be arsed...........

But obviously that's not really a good idea

just ignore him

if he has paid promptly is there any reason why you can't leave him pos. feedback?

I would just reply simply saying "I will post on XXX day, sorry for the delay". Sorry to hear that your DC have been ill.

Do you ever do online postage? If you have a large post-box nearby and don't need a receipt, you can just print your postage online and fling things in the box.

"You are to leave feedback once payment has been received"

You are what? It's entirely up to you to leave feedback for him as and when you choose (or not at all if you like).

Do what banks do and ignore everything he has said and repeat yourself very sweetly and reasonably.

"Thank you for your enquiry, as stated on the listing I will be posting the item within 5 working days, your purchase of (date) will be despatched on (date). It is my policy not to leave feedback until the entire transaction has been completed. I hope you will be pleased with this item and look forward to doing business with you again."

I don't think it is ebay policy that you have to leave feedback on receipt of payment. You can leave feedback at any point including after he has left it for you.

I would email him asking him if he got your email with explanation of delay. Apologise again (through gritted teeth ) to keep good will, and give him positive feedback for paying promptly.

DDF - no there isn't - but it's just something I've always done - waited until the transaction is finally completed before leaving the feedback - never had any issues before with it.

I'm not really bothered by his comments about the feedback - I tend to do mine in bulk when I've been sending a load of stuff in one go.

It's more his obvious problem that I haven't run out of the house and straight to the post office as soon as I got his payment that's bugging me.

I am tempted to ignore it - send out with the load I'll send on Thursday (which will be the 5th business day) and forget it.

I've already had 2 responses to my email to all of my buyers apologsing for the sending their items a little later than my listing stated I would - both basically saying - don't worry about it, shit happens.

I'd go for a polite response to knock any nastiness on the head of negative on his side.

"Thank you for pointing out the section of the feedback policy which indicates feedback can be left for a period of 90 days from when the auction ends. I would like to bring your attention to the section in the advert for goods brought which mentions dispatch within 5 business days. We are still within this period and whilst I generally aim to dispatch faster due to unfortunate family events it hasn't happened on this occasion - as explained in my email of.... I hope you are delighted with your purchase and it will now be dispatched... so should be with you by .....
Regards etc"

Bramshott - no I don't have a large postbox nearby - so I have to go to town to the post office.

There's always one isn't there?

Well perhaps 2 - sold an item about 3 weeks ago which has obviously been eaten by the Royal Mail as it didn't arrive - buyer emailed me middle of last week saying he hadn't got it could he have a refund. We agreed to wait until last Friday (to give RM a couple more days) and then I'd refund. He emailed me just after lunch on Friday to say it hadn't arrived so I went straight to Paypal and refunded his payment..............he emailed me this morning saying he hadn't got his refund yet - grrr

ooo I like it ANT - thanks - have copied , pasted and filled in the blanks and sent it