"Simple" delivery of large items - what a fail - forced to wait at home for a whole day.

[przybyla7]

So having sold a large item (plastic wall cladding sheets, about 1kg, but 1 metre long) I had the joy of "simple" delivery to content with. Only option for the size was the large size, which it turns out is DHL collecting it. No option to drop off, has to be collected, and must be someone at home to sign(?), and the pick up window is 6am to 6pm. Hardly worth bothering for a £10 item (£12 delivery), but decided to stay home and wait. And wait. And wait. Eventually eBay updates with "not collected, premises closed" which is funny for a family home, with me working in the garage in plain sight of the entrance gates and 2-3 other members of the family around.  After 45 minutes going in circles with the eBay AI, I learn they will try 3 "more" times. Bottom line: DO NOT BOTHER SELLING ANYTHING OVERSIZE. You will be completely dependent on DHL and their pants are on fire.

[style_wise]

This isn't actually a Simple Delivery issue, but a courier issue. I know how frustrating it is because I have experienced it with Yodel. The driver is over-taxed with targets and running of time, so starts cutting the most  optional jobs. This sometimes shows up as false 'collection attempted' and 'delivery attempted' (even though you know they did not show. The only way to deal with it is to complain to the courier's Customer Service. Once they know not to firetruck with you, they will not make your collection optional.

Also most advise you to phone eBay on a weekday morning, after 8am, for better CS.

[department28]

If the OP had been allowed to choose their own method of posting, they would have been able to select a drop-off option, and/or a use a different courier. The day wasted waiting in was courtesy of no-choice Simple Delivery.

[sml192]

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@przybyla7 wrote:

a Only option for the size was the large size, which it turns out is DHL collecting it. No option to drop off, has to be collected, and must be someone at home to sign(?), and the pick up window is 6am to 6pm. 

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That is a ridiculously long collection window.  The DHL eCommerce website states collection between 8.00am and 6.00pm but with a 1 hour collection window, so no idea why Simple Delivery can't provide the same.  DHL also provides options for collection from a safe place or drop off at a depot, so again no idea why those couldn't be included with Simple Delivery.  

[971397id]

just another example of ebay not using and have never used their own systems.

i will never wait in for a courier, pointless waste of time, it's why they have service points.

[przybyla7]

The issue is simple delivery because it gives no choice. Knowing where I live, I would not choose a collection service because of our remoteness. I would choose to drop it off myself. "Simple" delivery is nothing of the sort because it removes choice, particularly for oversize items.

[przybyla7]

They did narrow it down to 615-715 pm, but that message was sent at around midday, 6 hours after the start of the window and too late to let me rearrange my day. And then of course they don't turn up because it is late. The ridiculous part is the item is only worth £10, and we live in a very safe area and have lots of places to leave parcels for collection but they insist someone is present for sign. I think this is actually for the receiving end, but they haven't figured out how to split the two parts of the process.