eBay Puts Handling Time Back On Listings
Handling times have been a sore spot for sellers since eBay removed reference to the handling time the seller actually selected from the listing in favor of showing "estimated delivery dates" based on the seller's historical shipping times and carrier transit data instead.
For several years now, eBay has only shown the handling time if it is an "extended handling time" as shown from this community thread from 2019.
eBay's official policy is to show a handling time only for longer handling times (either 4 or 5 days or more). For shorter handling times, eBay wants buyers to rely on the estimated delivery date.
I always liked that stated on my listings too, but Ebay removed it without notice a very long time ago.
Yes I suspect ebay did this deliberately without notice to prepare themselves to implement this dumb functionality here in message 71 by Trinton
They don't want to show the seller's handling time setting on the listing so they can play around with it themselves and basically "veto" your handling time if they want to.
The "dumb functionality" referenced by the seller was eBay's policy of ignoring the actual seller selected handling time and instead using the seller's historical shipping time plus carrier transit time ranges to calculate the estimated delivery date.
While there has been no official announcement from eBay that's I've seen, it does appear they may have finally taken all those years of feedback into consideration and reversed course on this - many users are now reporting handling time is consistently being displayed on listings even when it is less than 4 or 5 days.
Just noticed on my recent listings that "Handling time" is again being listed in the "Shipping and handling" tab on active items. Any one else seeing this?
I just went to the listing of an item I recently bought but has no tracking yet, hoping against hope that maybe 'handling time' has been restored to view and know if the seller is still in their expected timeframe to ship. And LO AND BEHOLD IT IS BACK!
It's not on the listing's main page; you have to click the 'See Details' next to the Shipping line, and look about halfway down the ensuing page.
I've tested multiple random listings in multiple browsers and can confirm, I'm seeing seller selected handling times displayed in the shipping and payments tab on all listings at this time.
Are you seeing handling time on listings again? As a buyer or seller do you prefer having handling time specifically states on the listing? Let us know in the comments below!
eBay seller since 2022
Just started selling about a year and half ago
800 items sold 99.7 feedback
Recently I went away for family things for 30 days set my acct to be away … got back with items not received cases opened
I wasn’t able to revise existing listings post new listings OR refund the buyer from my eBay funds …
The items were caught up in recent wild fires but ended up being delivered late. I had to beg the buyer to let me pay them off of eBay to close the case because it was on hold and I wasn’t able to refund them from my eBay acct etc…. So luckily they obliged and I did … but ever since then my acct must be strikes as high risk because funds have been on hold 3 days after delivery since then indefinitely might I add… I get the run around everytime etc etc FINALLY I got someone saying it’s temporary it’ll be back to normal etc. these r all reps from escalated departments… one lady told me that with my history and feedback I’ve proved beyond doubt that I’m reliable seller and shouldn’t be on hold she put in for a appeal never heard back got the run around for another few months… they keep telling me I’ve been chosen for the new update they r rolling out total BS … do you believe that sellers will stay on eBay with these holds ? No they will simply go to another platform … they r 100% making money on the holds and use any reasoning to tell you basically no and keep profiting…. The get around is creating a new acct… these cases were closed without eBay having to step in and might I add I lost $$ and its been truly frustrating esp since I’ve built the acct up but I know I can do it again.. when they tell me its going to happen to all accts I just mention how my brother just opened one n now has immediate payments they don’t know what to say I don’t think they really even know.,, its sad n scummy but I see a class action lawsuit coming honestly ! I don’t know💬 if I forgot anything but well written thanks for the information. Have a great one!