and was estimated to arrive between Jan 19 to Feb. 3. The buyer contacted me on Jan 20 to inquire its status. I was able to reassure him it was shipped and asked him to patiently wait another 7 days. On Jan 27, I contacted him and it still had not arrived. I promised to refund him fully on Feb. 3
I am old and cynical.
Never contact a buyer who is not complaining.
Not only did you move the last estimated delivery date up by a week, but
you just told him that he will get a refund-- whether the item has arrived or not.
Most people are honest, but it only takes one.
Don't poke a sleeping bear.
EBay told him the delivery might be as late as Feb. 3.
He can't do a darn thing until Feb. 3, and even then eBay won't let him open the Dispute for another 24 hours.
And then you have 96 hours to refund.
Again, most people are honest but ....
I've been selling by mail order since the 80s, and in my experience 20 days is perfectly normal for delivery in North America. Often sooner, not unusual to be later.
With the pandemic..... there are slowdowns reported in hubs constantly and then they are cleared and then there is another report.
