Unrealistic postage expectations

red_boots2

Is it me or are buyers becoming more and more unreasonable with delivery times?

I sold an item Wednesday evening, I have dropped at the parcel shop this morning, but the buyer has already messaged asking me when he will receive it as it should have arrived today. ( I mainly use Yodel 2/3 Day)

I've had this more regularly on recent sales, no matter if the buyer is new or not.

Do eBay need to alter their postage times to make them more relasitic / buyers need more patience or perhaps both?

Brie

Delivery times seem to be worse in the summer and before Christmas due to holidays and volume.  Even something that is supposedly next day or 2 - 3 days might take up to a week.  

Must admit I was shocked to have received something by post the day after ordering the previous late afternoon.  Miracle delivery in my opinion.

soolin

I'm not good with a cut and paste, but for those who doubt us sellers when we complain about estimated delivery times, here's one of mine:

Dispatch by 3 Jul at 11.59pm BST

Make sure you send your order within the dispatch time you specified in the listing.

Estimated delivery date shown to buyer: 2 Jul 2024 - 4 Jul 2024

It is worth noting that the estimated delivery time starts *before* my stated despatch time and I am using 2nd class post . This was bought Saturday afternoon and the buyer has just contacted me to make sure it has been sent .

MattMattMattUK

What are your dispatch settings? I set mine to two working days and that seems fine, I have never had anyone message before I have dispatched, though I have had people complain about RM Tracked 48 not being next day service. 

soolin

MattMattMattUK said:

What are your dispatch settings? I set mine to two working days and that seems fine, I have never had anyone message before I have dispatched, though I have had people complain about RM Tracked 48 not being next day service. 

Mine is set at 2 days- hence the bit about 

Dispatch by 3 Jul at 11.59pm BST

which is after the earliest delivery date

red_boots2

Mine is set to two days as well. 

Re: RM Tracked 48... I posted something on Monday and it hasn't been collected from my local PO yet. Thankfully the buyer is understanding about it as he'd read a thread about it on here!

I always offer free P&P and the amount of complaints I get saying "I paid you for fast delivery" is mad. Makes me laugh.

soolin

Sellers don't stand a chance when ebay tell buyers their item is estimated for delivery before it is even due to be posted.

GabbaGabbaHey

The reality is that Amazon have set an expectation that you can order anything online and that it will arrive the next day.

Many buyers don't read the full description of what they are buying, let alone the fine details of dispatch and delivery times. They've bought an item, they have paid for it, and they expect that they will get it the next day.

No, it's not fair. Yes, it's unrealistic. But that's what their expectations are.

soolin

GabbaGabbaHey said:

The reality is that Amazon have set an expectation that you can order anything online and that it will arrive the next day.

Many buyers don't read the full description of what they are buying, let alone the fine details of dispatch and delivery times. They've bought an item, they have paid for it, and they expect that they will get it the next day.

No, it's not fair. Yes, it's unrealistic. But that's what their expectations are.

I agree , but that still doesn’t explain why eBay is telling the buyer they have an estimated delivery date that is *before* my despatch date. 

RFW

There's an expectation here now of delivery within two days, I don't think it's any better/worse than it has been in the last few years. Amazon and Prime have enhanced the expectations.
When I'm buying if it hasn't been despatched within 2 days I do get concerned. Most people aren't looking at despatch times when they purchase, so I almost always despatch the same day if the order comes in before 4pm. Where possible I give myself some time with the marketplace, so add an extra day on Ebay or Amazon for despatch/delivery, that way I get a happy customer.

red_boots2

Had a really frustrating one over the weekend. Mainly eBay's fault, but the buyer seemed to expect some sort of insane new service

Sold a parcel at 5pm Friday evening, posted it with Yodel 2-3 day delivery as stated in the description at 5:36pm. For some reason after posting eBay updated the delivery estimate to Saturday 27th! Buyer complained today she waited in all weekend for the parcel.