Help putting a message on top of each listing

[triber]

I am going to have to extend my shipping times to 4 days. My husband and I are in our late 70's, I am disabled and he had a lot of health issues, lung, heart, diabetes, has been on chemo etc. We don't want him to go into stores, so every 3 or 4 days he will drive me to the post office so I can go in. I want to let buyers know that there might be a delay in the shipping time before they purchase.

The is no point in adding it  to the descriptions, buyer don't usually read down that far, often not even from the beginning, so I want it to be obvious.

[richardcm]

I do not think it is possible to add a warning other than the description.

All I can suggest is extending your handling time by 3 days using bulk edit. Then EBay will show the longer delivery times.

[katlover1952]

I just went through this with eBay. The first rep had me adding a note to myself on 200 items before I realised she had given me wrong information. When I called back I got another rep & it seems all you can do is put your store on vacation & add a message. Just do not click that you do not want your BIN items to NOT be shown.

Best alternative is to bulk edit all your listing & change your handling time to 4 days. You just go to listings on the sellers Hub then tick all the boxes you want to change. If you list in both .ca & .com you need to go on both sites & do the ones listed per site.  Once you have the listings ticked click on edit, then select edit  selected. This takes you to a new page where you click on the first box at the top under edit which should highlight them all. Then along the top click on edit fields & handling time & click on change then change it to your 4 days then save & close then submit changes. This is likely your best option.

[recped]

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@triber wrote:

I am going to have to extend my shipping times to 4 days. My husband and I are in our late 70's, I am disabled and he had a lot of health issues, lung, heart, diabetes, has been on chemo etc. We don't want him to go into stores, so every 3 or 4 days he will drive me to the post office so I can go in. I want to let buyers know that there might be a delay in the shipping time before they purchase.

The is no point in adding it  to the descriptions, buyer don't usually read down that far, often not even from the beginning, so I want it to be obvious.

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If you have a handling time greater than 3 days eBay will automatically insert a notice (above the fold) indicating an extended handling time.

I've used 5 day handling for the last 10 years, I don't think I've ever had a single buyer inquire about delayed shipping.

[silverpinups · Accepted solution]

"I've used 5 day handling for the last 10 years, I don't think I've ever had a single buyer inquire about delayed shipping".

I've also used a 5 day handling time since the beginning and I've never had a single inquiry about delayed shipping. I usually ship the next day anyways so buyers are amazed at how quickly their packages arrive.

[femmefan1946]

Better to promise ten day delivery and have the shipment arrive in six days, than to promise five days and have the shipment arrive in six.

Extend your handling time.

[triber]

Thank you so much and recped, I have changed all my listings to 4 days. For many years I had one day handling, but after my husband got sick, I changed it to 2 days. If this 4 day handling works fine, I will just leave it at that when all this turmoil is over. I will just add a note to my replies that shipping might be a bit delayed because of the present situation.

[triber]

Thanks femmefan, I have done that. I agree with your remarks.

[silverpinups]

Handling time is defined as:

The handling time is the number of business days the seller will take to ship the item after receiving your cleared payment. A payment is considered "cleared" after the money from the buyer has been deposited into the seller's account.

Correct me if I'm wrong or not understanding but handling time would be 5 extra days added on to the estimated delivery time (with the chosen shipping method when the seller created the listing) if you ship on the same/next day....

[silverpinups]

I also send a message to every buyer right after I ship:

Hi name,

Your (4) photos were mailed out this afternoon.

I sent your package Tracked Packet-USA at no extra charge.

Tracking Number LM 000 000 000 CA.

Go to www.canadapost.ca or USPS.com to track your package.

Please allow between 10-15 business days on average for it to arrive.

"Please remember I cannot control delays at customs".

Enjoy the photos!

Best Regards,

Derrick

This is were you could add a COVID-19 disclaimer about delayed shipping..... I know I plan on adding it if there are any future sales during this pandemic.

[triber]

Yes, I think that's correct.

[triber]

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@silverpinups wrote:

I also send a message to every buyer right after I ship:

Hi name,

Your (4) photos were mailed out this afternoon.

I sent your package Tracked Packet-USA at no extra charge.

Tracking Number LM 000 000 000 CA.

Go to www.canadapost.ca or USPS.com to track your package.

Please allow between 10-15 business days on average for it to arrive.

"Please remember I cannot control delays at customs".

Enjoy the photos!

Best Regards,

Derrick

This is were you could add a COVID-19 disclaimer about delayed shipping..... I know I plan on adding it if there are any future sales during this pandemic.

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I send a similar message to this, but the majority of my shipping is by letter mail, low cost craft books and patterns. I tell buyers "PACKAGES FROM CANADA TO THE US CAN TAKE UP TO 21 DAYS TO ARRIVE. Unfortunately, once packages are in the mail, I have no control over the delivery time....". I am amazed at how many messages I get from buyers telling me not to worry, they understand that shipping between Canada and the US can take longer. (The majority of my sales are to the US). If you check my feedback, apart from one new buyer, almost all mention speed of delivery. I just felt a bit concerned that I can't now say that I will ship today, or tomorrow, but maybe 4 days from now.