what about this idea for bidders/buyers?

[craig7501]

An option where bidders/buyers can choose a date for their purchases to be delivered. Say for instance if a birthday is coming up or an anniversary the buyer could choose the date that the item should be delivered by.

Example:

Birthday on 12th February, buyer wants the item on 11th February so seller would dispatch between 8th and 10th February

[cornishmaid1961]

Um ... think that would be a rather risky thing to do Craig considering Royal Mail deliveries and the weather at the moment ! I'm still waiting for an item that was dispatched on the 13th Dec !
You could only ensure that kind of promise if the buyer was willing to pay for special delivery and even that has gone out the window with the snow and ice.

[craig7501]

I understand it could be risky, but something that could be looked at within the new year, when we start getting warmer weather again.

[astral276]

That would seem like an added layer of complexity that would have very little use. eBid have stated in the past that they are not keen on adding a myriad of options for users to navigate.

For the very rare occasions such a need would arise then that should be sorted out between the buyer and seller - with no need for the site to be involved.

[CarnoustieCats]

Craig, if you want it, put that option on your All About Me page... I cannot see a need for it

[KAYS6912]

I'm with Mel and Linda on this one. If a seller wants to offer multiple options, then it's up to them to advertise it.

[PoppyGrove]

An option where bidders/buyers can choose a date for their purchases to be delivered. Say for instance if a birthday is coming up or an anniversary the buyer could choose the date that the item should be delivered by.

Example:

Birthday on 12th February, buyer wants the item on 11th February so seller would dispatch between 8th and 10th February

I don't think this is a good idea at all - From eBids point - they only act as a platform for us sellers to sell on, so I'm guessing that it is something that they would wish to steer clear of - after all, they don't dictate any other suggestions to sellers. This is bordering on another sites postage policies which seem to cause a lot of disgruntled sellers leaving that site in droves.

On another note - with the unpredicable weather that we get in the UK - not just the snow at present, but we know from past experience that some areas a prone to flooding, and other natural hazzards.

This idea also leaves it open for unscrupulous buyers to request / demand a refund of their money - particularly postage - if the item isn't delived by the 'date requested' - regardless of it being the seller or carriers fault. If a buyer wants / needs a particular purchase by a certain date, it is up to the buyer to buy the item in plenty of time and if time is of the essence, to make sure that they advise the seller that it is needed by a certain date. Admitted, buyers don't often to this.

[Huddylion]

No chance at all of that idea working,I posted a recorded delivery package down to my Mum in the summer for her birthday 3 days before it took a week YES a week to arrive and it was first class.

[bykimbo]

I've had buyers ask me if I can hang on to an item until they return from a holiday or something, and I'm happy to do that as a one-off request, but there's no way it would work as a built-in function. Nor can i see any serious demand for it.

[somersethedge]

the big stores (like the river) have had problems delivering goods latly.... what hope for sellers like us