Most of your eBay shipments, even the ones headed to all corners of the earth, will be delivered quickly and without incident, but every now and then some of your packages will get stalled somewhere in the pipeline, delaying delivery to your buyer. Let’s take a closer look at different ways your eBay packages can be delayed beyond your control.
Stuck in Customs (International Shipments Only)
International packages shipped via USPS First Class International or USPS Priority International often arrive at their destination in a week or two. Sometimes upon arrival, though, packages can become stalled by customs. Sometimes the tracking number or customs number will provide an update that the package has entered customs. Unfortunately, sometimes tracking will not mention customs at all. If an international buyer messages you, asking when their package, tell them to allow up to a month or so for delivery. Most experienced international buyers are aware of possible delays. Before sending a buyer a refund for a lost international package, wait between 30 and 40 days after shipment.
Weather, Civil Unrest and Strikes
If several buyers from the same country message you, wondering about delivery status, a quick Google search or glance at the eBay message boards should arm you with basic information about systemic delays.
The Midwest and East Coast of the United States got pounded with heavy snowstorms throughout the winter of 2013, resulting in massive postal delays. Hurricanes and heavy rain can also easily stall packages since poor skies can ground planes and poor road conditions can delay trucks. Keep informed on national storm systems.
Most buyers are laware of local weather, strikes and civil unrest and thus are aware of delays, but nevertheless some buyers may still ask you why delivery is taking so long. I had a package going to Australia delayed by an airline strike. The buyer was getting ants pants (as the Aussies say) and pressuring me to mail a replacement item. I politely held firm, citing the strike as the likely source of delay. Sure enough, the package arrived a few days later.
Alert the buyer to the source of the delay and thank them for their patience. I usually write something like:
Unfortunately, Winter Storm Nemo has delayed mail delivery to your area. I’m sorry delivery is taking longer than usual. Your package should be arriving soon after weather conditions improve. Thank you for your patience!
Here are a few guidelines–not hard and fast rules–for how long to wait before treating a package as lost.
UNITED STATES SHIPMENTS
USPS First Class and Priority Mail: wait at least two weeks
USPS First Class typically arrives within three business days and Priority Mail should arrive in two business days, but a storm or strike may delay delivery.
USPS Media Mail and Parcel Select: wait at least 30 days
Delivery times for both Media Mail and Parcel Select vastly varies. Media Mail moves through the USPS system on a space available basis. Think of your Media Mail as flying standby. For LEGO related items, though, you’d only be using Media Mail to ship LEGO instruction booklets.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS
Allow at least 30-40 days for delivery no matter how you ship the package. Why? Whether you ship with Priority Mail Express International or First Class International (slightly slower, in theory) ANY package can become delayed in customs.