Unrealistic estimated delivery times for lettermail over the holidays.

[shiftingpixels-games-comics]

The estimated delivery time for lettermail between AB and ON is being shown as 2-3 biz days.  Ive been getting hammered with item not recieved cases for packages sent on the 22nd... given xmas and New Years thats like 4-5 biz days in transit.  avg actual delivery time that i see in a non holiday period is 6-8 days.

anyone else dealing with this?

[lotzofuniquegoodies · Accepted solution]

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@shiftingpixels-games-comics wrote:

The estimated delivery time for lettermail between AB and ON is being shown as 2-3 biz days.  Ive been getting hammered with item not recieved cases for packages sent on the 22nd... given xmas and New Years thats like 4-5 biz days in transit.  avg actual delivery time that i see in a non holiday period is 6-8 days.

anyone else dealing with this?

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@shiftingpixels-games-comics 

You are better off using the generic extended (economy shipping) delivery time option or add to your handling time for additional protection in these cases. The time expressed is generic at best and doesn't take into affect rural or Canadian holidays accurately. 

[marnotom!]

Sellers have been dealing with this for yoink’s age, even outside the holiday delivery crush.

The prevailing wisdom is that using the “Economy Shipping” descriptor for lettermail provides a more accurate delivery time estimate.

eBay’s flat-rate delivery time estimates are based more on carrier delivery standards rather than anything going on in the real world and won’t adjust according to the time of year or other factors.

[shiftingpixels-games-comics]

definitely going to take this advice.  thank you 🙂

[codacloset]

Yes, I'm encountering the same issue. I find that people during the year are much more patient and are willing to message you before opening an INR. I've had a number of those INR requests auto-escalate to a case in the middle of the night and close in the buyer's favour. My seller standard is now 'Below Standard' as a result.

I'll take everyone's advice and just change my Lettermail shipping to Economy and see if that makes a difference.