I know we've all become spoiled in the days of same-day delivery, but I'm curious about how fast a seller should be expected to ship a purchase. I think within 24 hours is fast, within 72 hours is reasonable and anything more is slow. I know the various carriers vary in speed and reliability, but sellers should do their part in a timely manner.
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How Fast Do You Expect a Seller to Ship a Purchase?
- Thread starter MAJN
- Start date
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Redbeard77
DFO Veteran
I've always shipped things next business day after receiving payment and expect others to do the same. I think once you post something for sale you should be ready to complete the deal.
2-3 days max then I call the FBI.
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For businesses with 'ready-to-ship' items that aren't customizable, 2 business days. For individuals, 3 business days. I try to ship a business day or two after receiving payment but if there are other extenuating circumstances, I'll notify the buyer as a courtesy.
smittyboy63
Well-Known Member
I usually give folks 5 business days, and beyond that they're slackers, LOL.
I’ve gotten notes from Reverb sellers saying they’re traveling and will ship on the day they get back, or on the weekend if they have a busy weekday job, etc. if it sounds legit then I’m cool with it.
What I’m not cool with is an actual store that is open every day that takes more than 2-3 days to ship it. That’s when I call in the national guard.
What I’m not cool with is an actual store that is open every day that takes more than 2-3 days to ship it. That’s when I call in the national guard.
mydadisjr
DFO Veteran
Next business day, no excuses.
Same with businesses.
Same with businesses.
bobsyouruncle
Well-Known Member
Individual seller? Or retailer?
I have made the mistake as an individual seller of listing things without having the boxes ready. Or maybe I had a box that I thought worked but find out that it doesn't. Or maybe I thought I had a week or two before it sells and someone buys it in the first three hours. So I have taken sometimes up to four or five days to get it to UPS.
But I always, always, always, always tell buyer that's what the problem is, and I thank them for their understanding and their patience. Especially with cymbals, because if you don't have a cymbal box ready, it can be hard to find something suitable.
I think next day expectations are a little unreasonable, even for retailers. If it goes out in a couple days, I'm generally pretty chill. Clearly not everyone here feels the same way.
I have made the mistake as an individual seller of listing things without having the boxes ready. Or maybe I had a box that I thought worked but find out that it doesn't. Or maybe I thought I had a week or two before it sells and someone buys it in the first three hours. So I have taken sometimes up to four or five days to get it to UPS.
But I always, always, always, always tell buyer that's what the problem is, and I thank them for their understanding and their patience. Especially with cymbals, because if you don't have a cymbal box ready, it can be hard to find something suitable.
I think next day expectations are a little unreasonable, even for retailers. If it goes out in a couple days, I'm generally pretty chill. Clearly not everyone here feels the same way.
Jhouse86
Very well Known Member
Ive had some pretty big debacles with shipping, on my end. The folks ive dealt with/sold to have been pretty understanding, so i try to do the same. Music stores are full of bozo's like me who might be having a bad day too. Im not sure what the cutoff is to "raise the alarm" but I haven't had to yet and no one has raised it on me.
2-3 days. After 72 hours, I contact sellers politely asking when they plan to ship.
I never list anything for sale until it's packed and only needs the buyer's address. It's B.S. that a seller waits for the payment to clear before looking for packaging materials, especially for bulky items like drum gear.
ePrey sellers are starting to peeve me. I am seeing more sellers taking up to a week or more to ship. Hardly anything arrives when the listing says it will. I am starting to give Neutral or Negative seller ratings based on how fast they ship.
ePrey sellers are starting to peeve me. I am seeing more sellers taking up to a week or more to ship. Hardly anything arrives when the listing says it will. I am starting to give Neutral or Negative seller ratings based on how fast they ship.
I try to ship as soon as payment is in my account.
On these lines, I try to send pix of the drums and containers before and after packing. I'll send these to the buyer and chose a time we're both comfortable with to ship. I tell the buyer I'll text when at the shipping place; at that point he/she is to send funds; confirmation usually takes place in a minute or 2. Once receipt is confirmed, I ship the drums. Then I send a photo of the receipt to the recipient.
When I ship, I charge the buyer for packing (generally materials, as I pack), shipping and insurance. This way if the goods don't arrive, the buyer can be reimbursed.
On these lines, I try to send pix of the drums and containers before and after packing. I'll send these to the buyer and chose a time we're both comfortable with to ship. I tell the buyer I'll text when at the shipping place; at that point he/she is to send funds; confirmation usually takes place in a minute or 2. Once receipt is confirmed, I ship the drums. Then I send a photo of the receipt to the recipient.
When I ship, I charge the buyer for packing (generally materials, as I pack), shipping and insurance. This way if the goods don't arrive, the buyer can be reimbursed.
Incidentally, this thread was inspired by an order that I've since found out shipped within less 24 hours but hasn't been updated on my end in the three days since. The seller checked with the postal service and it shows as being at a distribution center. So, on one hand, the postal service stinks, but on the other hand, it's nice to find a good retailer.
Worldwide Webb
Very well Known Member
If via Reverb or eBay and a private seller, within their designated/ mandated and/ or seller advertised timeline. I've had a few problems where shipping was delayed longer, and I just requested cancel and refund. I've had other problems with damaged used/ vintage drums shipped from sellers that I purchased via Reverb, but Reverb took care of the issues for me. One vintage retailer in Oregon was really bad about it, though. It happens.
If a big retailer, then per their advertised shipping timeline. Most ship next biz day.
If a big retailer, then per their advertised shipping timeline. Most ship next biz day.
Worldwide Webb
Very well Known Member
Yeah USPS is hit and miss. I bought a drum via reverb from a private seller in St Louis. I'm in Louisville. Went from St Louis to Indy distribution center, then to Boston then a NY distribution center, then back to Indy before getting to me. Took two weeks. Updates via USPS were spotty, too. I always expect situations like this with USPS Advantage or whatever they call it. If I get it quicker I'm happily surprised.
DSDrummer
DFO Master
I largely agree, and do likewise when selling. But... I don't button anything up. I have a box, packing materials, tape, etc. ready to go before I list. I like to include a packing list/receipt inside the package. And I always ship within two business days. Always. Usually less.
Having said all that, as a buyer, I'll give about three days before sending a note asking WTF (in a polite way, of course, being an a$$-whole almost never pays off).
*almost.
For some reason that just sounded funny to me.
I want everything shipped as fast as Amazon and I want to try it out and send it back for a full refund if I don’t like it or I have buyers remorse! Jkjkjk this it what I’ve been dealing with as a seller on EBay as of late … welcome to the jungle!
