question on eBay etiquette

Generally things should be shipped within no more than 5 business days of the seller receiving payment, though most try to do it in 3 days. There are some that only ship once a week, this should be stipulated on the auction page somewhere.

You are not being impatient, they've had more than enough time to ship the item. I would contact them again to ask if they have any idea of when they plan on shipping ... be sure to include the dates you won, when you previously contacted them etc.

Ya, 5-7 days top in my opinion as a long time ebay seller. I mean, there are many sellers out there, espcially for rocks. Becasue they are selling only rough, rarly have the funds to ship your item, untill the sell some more rough. This is such a terrible practice, and i know sevral sellres that get caught up that way.

What gets me is now, none really can have an excuse excpet as Stefan notes. Becasue A-usps shipping supplies are free(outside of tape) and b-they will pick up your items at your door for free. And c-even for rough, we all know you can fit an aweful lot in a flat rate box. So weight shouldnt be a concern becasue most sellers of rough wont sell something bigger than what will fit in one of those boxes.

Besides, we all know as well, most of us rockhounds may not be the sharpest of people. And when i purcahsed from sellers(mainly rhodescabbin). And the item was late, it more often was either missing items, or had the wrong items in the box. This was only cuased by waiting to ship it, nothing else. As we all can forget, but reduce that by getting people there stuff asap. They paid for it.

I ship every Monday and Thursday. To insure i dont get bogged in packing and shipping. And that way the customer gets the item within a week if not less. (this is the advantage also of selling mainly cabochons)

Also, as a vendor, if i get an email from a customer about whats up with my order. I respond as soon as i read it, even if there a problem with shipping times. OR in cases of inventory i have misplaced, i will tell the customer outright and refund and money the minute i find my mistake.

Dont be afriad to email the person asking for status, and if they give you a hard time. Simply state that your last buy from them. They learn fast or not at all. IN either case, so long as your get what your ordered, your the winner. AS well, i think you have more options giving the forum for vendors on this board.

Just know, espcially with the new polcey and fee change in ebay(core vs store) I suspect more venodrs like myself will be dropping ebay. And what will be left will be the people only out to rip you off, wether they try to or not. The new structure wont give them much leway in a rough gemstone market. So they are gonna be chargin more, and givin less. I may be even starting auctions on my site becasue of this new change to ebay.

You can file a complaint if you have not received the item after 7 days. I ship my sold items the next day after receipt of confirmed payment. I think if people pay right away, they should have their item just as fast. I try to treat people in the same manner I would like to be treated. There are several reasons your item could be delayed. Most sellers state when and how often they ship. There maybe an illness in the family or some type of family emergency. I have had both happen to me. I am pretty understanding. I would keep on them and ask has my item been shipped and when can I expect to receive it. The normal waiting time for a lot of sellers I have bought from is 2 weeks.

I agree with Don, I usually don't leave negative feedback for sellers like this, I don't leave any at all because corrupt sellers love to retaliate and I don't want the negatives. I have left negatives for people who have REALLY deserved it without retaliation though. (usually they know they are in the wrong!)

Yep, I just wouldn't buy from them again and no, you aren't being impatient unless the action specified 7-10 days for shipping etc.

Seems way too long to me. I'm with Shain, US postal will provide boxes, pick them up at my door and I can pay online and print shipping label. There isn't a good reason not to be able to ship out an item in a timely manner unless a good reason has come up.

Just a hint to all. I have been using the bay since 1999. I use 2 user names. One for buying, one for selling. The way feedback is setup allows the seller to hold the buyer hostage in regards to feedback. Not many sellers leave feedback until received. When I sell I leave feedback as soon as item is paid for, to me that is how it should be. By having 2 usernames I don't have to worry about a seller giving me back feedback if I happen to leave it for them, it just doesn't matter!! Even with a couple negatives as a buyer I have never had anyone refuse to ship an item that was paid for. It doesn't happen very often, but I don't hesitate leaving negative feedback if it is deserved, that is what negative is for!! If more people would give feedback as deserved some of the BS would stop, people get too worried about getting it in return. Like I said, with my buyer username I just don't care, that is why I have the 2 accounts. Off my soapbox...... Bill