How Are People Handling eBay Ratings with Slow Post Times?

bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 13:14

As with everone else I'm doing more online purchasing. I'm just wondering how people are handling there feedback ratings for ebay items. I live in North Qld so everything takes longer and there has never been Overnight delivery to or from here ever. however I have a few items that arrived 2 or 3 weeks after the ebay suspected delivery date. That is a LONG time. On the one hand the seller has no control over freight times on the other hand I almost feel like they are taking the p**s about the date they posted. Should I just give a 5 star for postage or is it going to be unfair on the seller if I lower the rating?

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Comments

  • garetz on 24/04/2020 - 13:29
    +47

    You answered your own question, the seller has absolutely no control over the current circumstances, use your brain.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2020 - 13:34
    +1

    If you buy something in the middle of a pandemic, you can't expect it get to you as fast as it usually would.

    I've posted from Central West NSW to QLD three times in the last three weeks. One got there in 2 days, the other two took 1.5 weeks.

    I doubt sellers are holding onto the item for days just to spite you. Don't be spiteful to them.

    • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 13:46

      That seems like a contradiction. you are quoting time periods of 2 days and 1.5 weeks. I'm stating 2 and 3 weeks AFTER the suggested delivery date. I'm not suggesting they are holding on to be spiteful. My only thought is they are registering untracked parcels as sent when in fact they are themselves overrun with orders and taking a long time to post which would be dishonest on their part but unprovable.

      • xuqi on 24/04/2020 - 13:57
        +1

        Australia post have been very slow for the past month. I'm still awaiting packages from Melbourne (~30g) & Sydney (~200g) sent to Perth.

        Expected delivery was this past Monday-Tuesday, but they're still showing as delayed. I hoping to receive them someone next week, making them 15+ days after they were shipped.

        • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 14:04

          Actually. It's a case of "My Bad". The seller has the listing as being sent by Australia Post however it actually was sent via Fastway Couriers. For some reason I have always had to add at least a week to any item sent to me by Fastway. Maybe they don't have enough drivers for this region.

          • xuqi on 24/04/2020 - 14:09
            +10

            @bigpallooka: Well, if its Fastway, then you and the seller are screwed. They're by far the worst courier company I've had the displeasure of dealing with.

            Not only have they been slow, but on a number of occasions I've had parcels vanish.

            We receive 100's of packages weekly via Australia post, Startrack, TNT, and others.

            In the past year only Fastway packages have disappeared. The choice of using them was made by the sender in all instances.

            https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/fastway

            • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 14:11

              @xuqi: I had the same experience with a Fastway package having to be resent because it was lost. Now I know it's a generalised issue not just my region.

            • themirror on 24/04/2020 - 15:05

              @xuqi: Most delivery companies are rated poorly on those sites so don't take everything at face value. Fastway have been fine for me.

              • xuqi on 24/04/2020 - 15:26

                @themirror: I'm speaking of personal experience.

              • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 15:55

                @themirror: Do you live in a regional area? I'm curious if it's more to do with their Franchise situation. Do they operate poorly in areas where they haven't filled their franchise opportunities or something else?

                • xuqi on 24/04/2020 - 17:21

                  @bigpallooka: No, the delivery address is near Perth Airport.

                  • dchoj on 24/04/2020 - 18:32

                    @xuqi: Fastway is a perfect example of "You get what you pay for". They are definitely cheap sending through them, but good god are they logistically awful.

                    We used them for a period of time and parcels were endlessly delayed in their delivery time as well as just going missing at times. Our regular Fastway driver would ask us to ring him anytime we had parcels for him to collect as their dispatch was absurdly slow to update his scanner regarding collections. Felt bad for the poor bloke because he would cop the abuse from other businesses using Fastway's services.

        • SnoozeAndLose on 24/04/2020 - 19:42

          Sydney to Perth I have seem it can go up to 15 business days 3 weeks if it is not Metro.

  • Third_Gear on 24/04/2020 - 13:36
    +2

    Considering Australia Post is maybe scanning stuff sometimes even on pick up you’d be a real special case to fault the sender on a late delivery. We post A LOT of packages each day between all e-commerce businesses and we are now seeking 3 week delivery times from Melbourne to Adelaide. Orders are going from our warehouse to theirs where they sit for a week and a half …

  • popsiee on 24/04/2020 - 13:40
    +1

    I received 2 recent negatives, the 1st one for a buyer claiming non delivery and tracking showed delivered . Ebay removed the neg .
    The 2nd was for slow delivery and even though they were shown it was posted on time on my end Ebay refused to remove the neg . Hence some more of my selling will go to other platforms .

    • SnoozeAndLose on 24/04/2020 - 19:44

      Which platforms would you suggest, Scamtree or Facebook market place?

  • kahn on 24/04/2020 - 13:44
    -5

    You need help to rate ebay sellers? OMFG. Well, maybe I'll create a post asking others how I should reply to your question. We can create a neverending cycle of offloading decision-making like a dozen Meseeks roping each other into this.

    • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 13:52
      +4

      Dude. Go for a walk in your yard. Replying to a post that you deem pointless is pointless and redundant. This is just a conversation. Don't take part in it if you think it is pointless. I just wondered what other people were doing. If nothing else the consensus is it would be a dick move to neg them (which I didn't do). I was just curious. I'm allowed to be. I was interested in how others were handling it.

      • kahn on 24/04/2020 - 13:54
        -6

        So you're basing your decision on what others are doing? It sounds like you're seeking the service of a shepherd.

        • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 14:00
          +2

          People post here for all different reasons. For me personally it's usually just a place to start a conversation sometimes about unimportant subjects. I guess for you posting here is something else entirely. Judging other people by the brief interaction of the typed words. Good luck to you with that. If you have the ability to distil my personality, objectives and reasoning down by this brief interaction… more power to you.

    • lunchbox99 on 24/04/2020 - 15:02
      +2

      You should question whether OP should post here for advice, then you should get into an argument with OP about you questioning their question.

      • kahn on 24/04/2020 - 15:09
        +1

        That's what Ozbargain is for - tackling life's important issues.

  • Hithere on 24/04/2020 - 13:51
    +4

    Should I just give a 5 star for postage or is it going to be unfair on the seller if I lower the rating?

    If you don't know what to leave, bearing in mind that feedback and stars can have a significant impact on a seller, then leave nothing.

    • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 14:07
      +1

      I actually gave them all 5 star as I always do unless there is a problem with the item. It was more just a conversation starter because giving a neutral rating was something I considered then discounted. I should have realised it would trigger a certain amount of frustration from sellers and those who are offended by 'lame' conversations.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2020 - 13:55
    +9

    1 star review - really needed that fidget spinner. Seller was not willing to cure pandemic and ensure postal system is unaffected.

  • skinner on 24/04/2020 - 14:05
    +3

    If it's posted on time it's a positive, there's nothing else the seller can do.

    Also note, depending on how the seller sets it up the delivery timeframes are actually estimated by eBay and the seller has no control there either (guaranteed SHIPPING vs guaranteed DELIVERY). I have complained a number of times as the estimates are not accurate. eg. from my store to the next suburb it says 4 days via express vs next day interstate.

  • bbqwer on 24/04/2020 - 14:14

    Normally I just put positive feedback comment. Never bother with the star.

    Postage delay do happen. Not seller fault. Even with this covid19 auspost website do stated expect extensive delay.

  • jason101 on 24/04/2020 - 14:17
    +2

    This is the flaw with eBay - Buyers are mislead by eBay's delivery guidance as to when items should arrive (which is not based on actual delivery times especially in the current environment) - then buyers rate sellers on metrics (postage) which sellers have no control over.

    Outcome.

    eBay looks good, individual sellers look bad (they are the problem / not the platform).

    Once a sellers ranking drops their product placement also loses position, therefore sellers who use express postage services only (and offer this free to the buyers) outrank other sellers.

    Buyers then rate these sellers higher - sellers make less margin / eBay looks good once again.

    eBay is a self serving devil of a platform which eats up and spits out sellers by the second.

    I've personally gone from 0 open disputes (typical) to more than 20, all due to slow delivery by Australia Post - which eBay well knows about but fails to educate buyers about - I know each of these buyers will probably leave me negative feedback and or make my other seller metrics fall, what can I do —- What does eBay do to support me as a seller, knowing the issues are all to do with delayed deliveries beyond my control - Nothing.

    Actually what I can do is start sending everything by express post at my own expense to keep buyers happy - eBay looks great, I maintain my seller rankings - everyone wins. Except my margins as a business operator. I end up being an economic slave to eBay feedback and seller metrics.

    Cheaper products on eBay = less sales to other marketplaces and platforms. Again eBay is the winner.

    There is a big picture at play here by eBay and the end goal is not to help buyers or sellers, but to preserve itself.

    • Third_Gear on 24/04/2020 - 14:25

      eBay managed payments will shake off the bulk of the dodgy sellers and reduce the item location issues they are having. If you as a seller are not using managed payments your rankings will tank. Have to go through a thorough process to get approval too which is great.

  • JimmyF on 24/04/2020 - 14:20

    On the one hand the seller has no control over freight times

    If they posted it within the times they said, then yes you need to accept this is 'crazy' times for shipping and it may be longer than you expect normally.

    I'm a seller on ebay and I drop each person a message when I post the item saying the order has been shipped and there are current delays with auspost, shipping maybe longer than auspost/ebay have quoted. Basically getting on the front foot of where is my item.

    At the end of the day, all auspost parcels have tracking, so the buyer can see it was shipping and slooooowly moving through the system.

    • emibel19 on 24/04/2020 - 19:35

      At the end of the day, all auspost parcels have tracking, so the buyer can see it was shipping and slooooowly moving through the system.

      I've also been told that by AusPost staff, but i've bought many parcels on eBay (apparently sent by Australia Post) that have not had a tracking number listed. Am I missing something?

      • JimmyF on 24/04/2020 - 21:23

        I've also been told that by AusPost staff, but i've bought many parcels on eBay (apparently sent by Australia Post) that have not had a tracking number listed. Am I missing something?

        If it was sent via auspost as a parcel, then yes all parcels have tracking by default for a few years now, so your seller is lazy and not uploading the tracking details (or not using the automatic postage tools ebay offers to create postage labels that automatically put the tracking number into ebay).

        If the item is sent as a 'letter' then it doesn't have tracking unless you add it.

        If it was sent via some other company, it varies but most couriers have tracking.

        • emibel19 on 24/04/2020 - 21:48
          +1

          Thanks, I think it's probably the first case (sender not providing tracking details).

          When I checked a recent purchase (which hasn't arrived yet) just after its apparent shipping, it didn't have tracking, but now it has, and (as someone else noted here) it was supposed to be Aus Post, but it's coming via Fastway (I've seen that before too). :(

          • JimmyF on 24/04/2020 - 21:53

            @emibel19: Some sellers mark things as shipped straight away when they haven't, and then come along and put a tracking number in later on when it really has been shipped. This is a bit nasty.

            But yes saying you ship via one company and then ship via someone else is really nasty.

            That said, I think I'm one of the one people in Melbourne that seems to have 'good' fastway deliveries, not that I've had too many, but all of them I have had have been fine. But yes in general most people hate that company.

  • argonide on 24/04/2020 - 14:20
    +1

    Postage time is about how quickly the seller posted the item, not how long it took for the item to get to you.

  • Mechz on 24/04/2020 - 14:37
    -4

    I just never rate sellers unless they do bad by me.

    • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 16:12

      I'm curious if you get any positive ratings yourself? It would be my understanding that because sellers rely so heavily on positive ratings they would be reluctant to give you a positive rating as a buyer if you don't give them a positive rating. It feels a bit counter-productive.

      • Mechz on 24/04/2020 - 16:46

        No idea, I have never looked. I don't sell anything so don't really care.

  • bobbified on 24/04/2020 - 14:38
    +4

    I just give the seller the benefit of the doubt and assume any delays are in the postage system.

  • Pootie Tang on 24/04/2020 - 16:36
    +1

    Found the village idiot

  • Ocker on 24/04/2020 - 17:58
    +1

    With an eBay store there are two elements to the eBay estimated delivery date of an item (a) the handling time nominated by the seller, same day - 7 days and (b) the AusPost estimated transit time.
    AusPost has not adjusted their estimated transit times to allow for the current delays. Hence what is the past would have been (say) 2-3 days can now take a 5-7 days, Interstate can take 2 weeks plus.
    Buyers simply go on what eBay tells them and if it is not delivered tend to blame the seller.
    If the buyer has bought something to be shipped via Parcel Post then they can always check the tracking to see when the seller posted the item.

  • Ughhh on 24/04/2020 - 18:13
    -1

    For op or those who aren't handling this well, https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

  • The Value on 24/04/2020 - 20:00

    Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate blamed the blow-out in delivery times on the grounding of much of Australia's air freight network.

    "We were putting on to the Qantas passenger planes up to about 700 tons a week of parcels and that literally, over a few weeks, went to zero," Ms Holgate told 7.30.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-22/waiting-on-a-parcel-f…

  • dylanando on 24/04/2020 - 21:10

    I’m rather annoyed. I’ve bought quite a number of things lately all stating their shipped with aus post but they’re being shipped with fastway.
    God for sake awful company. Took a month and a half from something to get from Melbourne to brisbane, I whined on Facebook, they said it was missing, then it was randomly delivered on a Saturday. others have been couple weeks. I’m now waiting for something else, I certainly will rate the seller down due to the decieving shipping, I’ll never buy something knowing it’s shipped with fastway.

  • bigpallooka on 24/04/2020 - 22:57

    It's hard to ask a succinct question without also leaving yourself open to misunderstanding and the inevitable criticism that you are a simpleton because the answer is obvious. The variety of posts from my apparently stupid question show the matter is not as simple as being just… because, coronavirus! Thanks for all the information and view points. It's been interesting and informative.

  • dasa on 25/04/2020 - 08:29

    As if Aussie Post needed any excuse to get any slower, They will flog this virus to death with the reason for slower deliveries.

  • jhaley3180 on 25/04/2020 - 09:57

    I didn't realise anyone actually still left Ebay ratings.

    • bigpallooka on 25/04/2020 - 10:37

      I guess it depends if you also sell as well as buy. Maybe people don't look at ratings as much any more but I like to have a good rating so everyone has confidence if I want to sell and the people I buy off won't give me a rating if I don't give them one. Having a feedback score over 600 means I have been active for a while and people aren't complaining about me constantly. It must help a little surely.

  • Zachary on 25/04/2020 - 11:29
    -1

    Just get your free $10 voucher for slow postage times and move on….

  • TiLLiCoMe on 25/04/2020 - 14:56

    Imagine your were the seller and you posted the item within 1 business day. How would you like the buyer to rate you if you have no control over shipping. Eastern state to Perth by AP is taking about 3 weeks or even longer if outside metro. If you pay for express don't except delivery with 3 business days. It is more like 5 to 7 business days during this period. I sell and buy items online.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2020 - 17:01
    +1

    I have Ebay store, over 2000 feedback points, 99% rating. For me feedback should be based on the sellers service not he product itself. I've received the odd negative for product that hasn't lived up to the clients standard, no fault of my own and always offered full refunds. If the seller posts slowly, doesn't package the item properly or it isn't as described then fair reason for a negative point. I've always used Austpost with very few to none issue, however I've always used tracking in some form to cover my own arse.

  • ykickamoocow on 25/11/2020 - 10:04

    IF aus post takes so long mainly over the covid problems ,just change to a courier ,i send packages all the time it gets localy or melb to nsw metro overnight or 2 days,
    no good blaming aus post the seller chooses who they use , unless your sending a letter then look for a courier genarally cheaper and faster .

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