Reasonable Communication in B/S/T deals?

[WNC Seabee]

What do you all consider reasonable shipping time when you buy something from a private party on-line?

When I SELL something via this or other forums, I do my level best to ship the day after being paid. I always provide PM or email ETA on when to expect shipping and provide a tracking number as soon as I have it.

Am I normal? and is it normal to expect that kind of turn around (or at the least communication)?

I have a deal in the B/S/T forum that I paid for a week ago tomorrow (paid morning of 7/22) that I still don't have shipping confirmation on. Should I be worked up? What's your expectation?

Now, my purchase could very well be "in the mail" as we speak, but it hasn't been confirmed by the seller, so I'm putting ship/communicate in the same status with regards to the poll.

 

[CoRoMo]

A week out and no shipping info sounds pretty bad IMO. You should have your item by now, much less the shipping confirmation.

I get rather impatient with these types of purchases. I never understand why it is so difficult to go by the post office and email me the day after you have my money.

 

[dirt_j00]

I look at it like this: if you can't ship it in a day or two (extenuating circumstances excluded), then you shouldn't sell it online.

And tracking #s are just good policy. It helps both the seller and buyer. Provides proof of shipment and expectation of delivery date.

 

[3pairs12]

I went within 5 days of payment, somtimes people live a little out town and it takes a couple of days toget to the post office and stuff. Any more than that without communication is unacceptable. As far as tracking numbers go I typically like to recieve them but don't expect them.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I look at it like this: if you can't ship it in a day or two (extenuating circumstances excluded), then you shouldn't sell it online.

I think it's fine to take a few extra days if needed, but ONLY if that was known and agreed to prior to being paid. I absolutely hate sending money to a stranger and then being told "Oh, I couldn't get to it".

 

[3pairs12]

I think it's fine to take a few extra days if needed, but ONLY if that was known and agreed to prior to being paid. I absolutely hate sending money to a stranger and then being told "Oh, I couldn't get to it".

Thats kind of what I meant. For example somtimes I am out of town for work. I offered to buy some CT grips from a fellow THR'er but let him know I was in Huoston and had no idea if I could get off in time to find the post office before it closed to purchase money order but would certianly try over the next day or 2. His response was when will you get back home just ship it then if it works better for you. Ended up using paypal that same day so all worked out but a little communication goes a long way with private transactions conducted over the internet

 

[DMK]

I expect that the item should ship within two business days. I'll accept 5 days as I realize that folks have jobs and lives that sometimes get in the way of making it to UPS or the PO during business hours.

7 days is unacceptable.

When I sell something, I take pics, then get a box and some packing material before posting it. That way it's just a matter of getting the payment, verifying the address with the buyer and getting to the PO. Should take 2 business days max.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Kind of a tangent (but that's okay, it's my thread!)...but I've also decided not to buy from folks with very low post counts. Some people may consider me to have a low post count relatively speaking. But, for me, no more deals with "new" posters.

 

[fireman 9731]

I am fairly lenient as long as I am informed on what is going on. One transaction I had on here once was just trading some bullets, We planned on shipping the same day but the guys house caught on fire, It took me a few days extra to get my bullets but it was no problem to me that they were a few days late because he notified me that they would be do to the circumstances. I actually felt pretty bad for the guy.

As long as I am being kept informed on what the status of things are then I'm happy. It the lack of communication that sours a deal for me.

Of course, the faster the better though!

 

[zombienerd]

Looking at the person in question, it seems he/she has done a lot of selling/buying/trading on THR since February, so I doubt it was a scam.

It could be, however, that there is some outside influence precluding his contact. A family emergency, loss of internet, god forbid someone's death, etc...

If it passes 14 days, I'd definitely look at getting a chargeback, cancelling the check, contacting the post office to cancel the money order, etc...

I usually expect to be contacted within 24 hours of my confirmed payment arriving, and if I don't receive any kind of contact within 14 days, I rescind my payment.

 

[WNC Seabee]

As long as I am being kept informed on what the status of things are then I'm happy. It the lack of communication that sours a deal for me.

Exactly.

 

[zombienerd]

Last Activity: Today 08:24 AM

Well, I take back the not online statement.

He logged in earlier today.

Maybe he's just lazy.

 

[AULefty]

I recently purchased a set of 1911 grips on this forum and the seller was in wisconsin and I'm in Alabama. I mailed the money order the day after the sale and it took a week to get there. He notified me when he shipped and it took a week to arrive. Just long distances.

 

[TheFallGuy]

The sooner, the better. Otherwise, I think scam. 48 hours on a week day is plenty. I sell on ebay and work full time and go to school full time. Yet I am always able to ship in 48 hours, often less. I wouldn't buy from someone who wouldn't do the same.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Well, I take back the not online statement.

He logged in earlier today.

I've purposefully not called out the seller on this particular deal. I don't think it's a scam; this thread is more about "my" expectation of what's reasonable and wondering what y'all's (is that a word?) expecations are. I am frustrated at not getting a ship confirmation, but am not ready to call BS on the deal.

 

[DHJenkins]

As long as I am being kept informed on what the status of things are then I'm happy. It the lack of communication that sours a deal for me.

+1

Unless we've previously agreed that you'll ship it asap, 'a few days' to get around to shipping it is fine with me. People have lives and not everyone is close to a fedex/UPS/Post office.

What I don't like is being able to see online that my $500 money order was delivered a week ago, but the seller can't be bothered to take 3 minutes and let me know what's going on. Even if I get the item, I'm not likely to do business with them again.

 

[Oyeboten]

Speaking of which...does anyone have any idea whatever happened to "41022collector"?


Seemed like an alright guy...Gunsmith even...we had a deal going for some old parts. I sent pay mid June...he had delays, said he'd ship...and, as of July 9th, he dis-appeared...no further THR posts, no replies to phone or e-mail off site...(and no 'parts' I'd payed for arriving in the Mail.)

Hope he's okay...

I'm worried something happened to him...


Does anyone know him? 'Cleveland'...


Phil
Las Vegas

 

[CoRoMo]

I absolutely hate sending money to a stranger and then being told "Oh, I couldn't get to it".

+1... I just paid you to 'get to it'.

I've also decided not to buy from folks with very low post counts. Some people may consider me to have a low post count relatively speaking. But, for me, no more deals with "new" posters.

Those members posting in the Trading Post are not increasing their post count. Those posts don't add to their post count. If there are members here, ONLY for the free service to sell merchandise, and nothing else, their post counts will never change.

 

[searcher451]

If I don't hear from them within a day of receipt of the check or money order, then I'm concerned. I know that when someone deals with me, communication is not only appreciated but expected, and I always do my best to keep them updated on where things stand as quickly as I can -- and I'm talking minutes as opposed to hours and/or days. I expect the same treatment when the shoe is on the other foot. I'm sure that most all of us do.

 

[garymc]

I expect acknowledgment of receipt of money or merch and notification if there is an undue delay. I once bought a .22 rifle on gunbroker and by the time my ffl sent the license and my mo got there it was deer season in Colorado or wherever he was. He told me that and that it would be a few more days before he could ship. I wasn't concerned. If I wanted the gun the next day I would have driven down to a store and bought it (if I could have found just the right 30 year old gun.) If you can't afford to risk the money or don't trust the seller, you shouldn't buy online.

 

[WNC Seabee]

If you can't afford to risk the money or don't trust the seller, you shouldn't buy online.

That's not the point at all. $440 isn't gonna kill me if it's a scam (which this deal is not). I'm talking about common courtesy and managing expectations.

If you are working a deal and the seller says, "Hey, it'll take me a couple days to ship", then that's fine, that's the expectation and you can decide if you want to go ahead or not based on that info.

 

[Grey_Mana]

I have a colleague whose first name is Cash. He says it is impossible to get people to write him personal checks for internet transactions.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

The answer is 2-4 days, IMO, which is not on your list, so I voted within 5. That's assuming payment is postal money order. If check or cashier's check or other money order, within 6-8 days is more like it - gotta wait for it to fully clear.