topic Re: Delivery times and dates in Buying

Delivery times and dates

biker9999 — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 13:23:41 GMT

Ebay may have issued guidance on delivery times but it is just rubbish. The way its worded it gives the seller an easy get out. I bought an item which I needed fairly quickly and bought it on the basis that stated delivery was 3-5 days and it was in stock in the UK. The reality is the delivery date went out to over 2 weeks and it is obvious it was never in stock in the UK its being sent to the supplier in the UK then forwarded on to me. The supplier tried to say the 3-5 days was the UK delivery time after they had received it. That's not in anyway acceptable. I find that recently I am now buying more and more from Amazon (who I hate) but at least delivery times and stock are clear. Just thought I would have a rant as I know from past experience of other problems with ebay they will carryon regardless.

Re: Delivery times and dates

insidethe93 — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 15:10:59 GMT

Sorry to hear of the hassle you've had/are having, I sympathise. Sadly too late re that item, but I've learned that murphy's law means if you want something fast it'll go wrong (or in your case, very wrong).

eBay's Estimated Delivery Dates are just that - estimated. Experience has made me sceptical of them at best, and mostly disbelieving at certain busy times like the run-up to Christmas. I myself would contact a seller BEFORE buying, explain I'd like the item fast, and rather than rely on standard EDDs could they please upgrade the postage, ask them to send an invoice for it.

Most sellers know some buyers want faster shipping and for some accommodating that can turn a new buyer into a repeat buyer. Sadly with your item they've lost a buyer, something they could've predicted given the "stock" issue! You say: "The supplier tried to say the 3-5 days was the UK delivery time after they had received it. That's not in anyway acceptable." - I definitely agree with you. Maybe they should be reported to eBay for misrepresenting eBay's dates - it's a misrepresentation that eBay wouldn't want anyone to do again or for it to proliferate. If they said it using eBay's messaging system, eBay can see for themselves.

Anyway, if you ask before you buy and a seller can't help with faster shipping, then you'd know in good time. This should work with most sellers.

Re: Delivery times and dates

sml192 — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:55:47 GMT

How does it give sellers an easy get out?

Ebay provides an estimated delivery on every listing which is then confirmed in the order details and by email when you buy the item. That estimated delivery date cannot be changed. Once the estimated delivery date has passed you are able to open an 'Item not received' claim and the seller is given 3 business days in which to resolve.

Re: Delivery times and dates

biker9999 — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:47:12 GMT

Thanks that was helpful

Re: Delivery times and dates

biker9999 — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:48:12 GMT

Thanks I will; follow that through

Re: Delivery times and dates

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:12:27 GMT

ebay has to many sellers claiming to be in UK when they are not

Re: Delivery times and dates

biker9999 — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:50:02 GMT

Yes I agree and its getting worse.

Re: Delivery times and dates

biker9999 — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:09:20 GMT

Thought I would follow up on this topic with something others may find interesting. I wanted an item which was quite cheap and in view of the above thought I would give Temu a go. I bought the item with a delivery time of just over a week, free postage and knowing it would be coming from China. The Temu (or sellers?) response was really good I got an email saying the item would be shipped on a flight in about 24 hrs arriving in the UK on a given date and a delivery date 1 day inside the original stated time. If it wasn't delivered within 1 week of that I would receive £4 compensation and a right to cancel the order. I will try to remember to follow this posting up to complete the follow up. This is in great contrast the the current Ebay buying experience but to be fair to Ebay they did respond quickly to my complaint and take down the misleading contents.

Re: Delivery times and dates

ricmor_5616 — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:51:06 GMT

Ebay need to give real delivery times and not allow sellers to change...I m so bored of waiting weeks to get things that were advertised for delivery in 3 days that i will no longer buy from ebay...shame

Re: Delivery times and dates

sml192 — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:06:10 GMT

@ricmor_5616 wrote:
Ebay need to give real delivery times and not allow sellers to change...I m so bored of waiting weeks to get things that were advertised for delivery in 3 days that i will no longer buy from ebay...shame

Sellers can't change the estimated delivery date provided by eBay.