How long should I wait with no answer from seller?

[Adunaphel]

John, I wasn't making excuses for this particular trader. Heck, he won't even send a quick reply.
It would seem at a cursory glance that this is probably going to be yet another case for NOT sending money first to a low rated trader.

I was just stating that sometimes a good trader can get slowed up by a package that has gone missing for a while. Meaning that your hard and fast rules are fine, but you might want a little flexibility there. That's all.

Karl

[JohnHwangBT]

No doubt that things can happen, but that is the exception rather than the rule.

In these kinds of threads, I tend to post with a harsher tone because time really is of the essence in terms of being able to get some kind of resolution before Paypal / credit card / whatever close their dispute windows.

A lot of Paypal scammers like to drag things along, knowing that, if they can get the buyer past the 30 day window, there's no repercussion with PayPal.

In this case, if the DC shows up within 24 hours, and the stuff arrives via Priority on Friday instead of Thursday, I wouldn't hold the USPS delay against the seller, and he'd probably get a Neutral. OTOH, if the DC shows up late tomorrow, and he sent parcel post for it to arrive next week, without even trying for timely delivery, at that point it's an auto-Neg.

My key point is that the seller screwed up by sitting on the goods, and should be forced to make up for the lateness.

[Spikes]

So, the seller replied with due haste--well before Wednesday.

He says he is going to the post office this evening. I should be getting the tracking number as well.

All's well that ends well? I am still skeptical until I receive my parcel, obviously, but I am...calmed by his reply.

[MagickalMemories]

Given that he's sat on the merchandise for over a week, why should the OP wait any longer?

It's one thing to pay Priority when you ship the Next Business Day after receiving payment.

It's quite another to ship Parcel Post after sitting on a package for a week without any updates.

You delay by a week, you make it up by shipping Priority.


STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR POOR PRACTICES!

First off, John, you're misreading my posts. I never made any excuses for the guy's practives.
Secondly, please don't yell at me. One or 2 words in all caps is typically taken as emphasis on those words. Entire sentences (or more) are generally interpreted as "yelling."
If I misunderstood your intent in capitalizing the whole sentence, my apologies.

To reiterate my meaning in earlier posts... It's unreasonable to push a deadline on someone, even someone who is late like that, when he cannot be guaranteed to make it (within reason).

I'm going on the presumption that (a) he complies with the "within 24 hours" requirement, (b) complies with the "D.C." requirement and (c) ships via Priority (which is SUPPOSED to arrive within 2-3 business days).
If the USPS doesn't do THEIR part on shipping, it's unreasonable to hold that (specific) piece against him.

Regardless of tardiness, I do not find it to be reasonable to expect someone to pay $20, $30 or more for Express Mail, which is the only way to guarantee that it arrives at a certain time/day.

You're 100% right (IMO) about everything else. It's just that one, tiny piece we disagree on.

As you see, I'm not making excuses for the guy. Tardiness is tardiness. Period.
At this point, I see no valid excuse for the tardiness in this situation.


Eric

[MagickalMemories]

My key point is that the seller screwed up by sitting on the goods, and should be forced to make up for the lateness.

My previous reply was before I saw this most recent post.
Reading it, I do think we're closer to the same page on that piece than your earlier posts intimated.

...and I DO agree on the bit I quoted above.

So, the seller replied with due haste--well before Wednesday.

He says he is going to the post office this evening. I should be getting the tracking number as well.

All's well that ends well? I am still skeptical until I receive my parcel, obviously, but I am...calmed by his reply.

Be calmed, but do not stop being vigilant.
You gave him specifics he needed to stick to... if he doesn't stick to them, don't be overly willing to back down. He said he's going to the USPS tonight... Expect the DC# no later than tomorrow.
I might evem PN him a reply and remind him that the USPS is closing earlier, now, in most areas. So, he might want to keep that in mind.
Should he end up being the kind of person who's "playing you," that could easily be one of his excuses:
"Oops. Sorry. I thought USPS still closed at 6, but they're closing at 5:30 now, and I missed it. I'll get you that DC# on Thursday..."

I'm not saying it WILL happen, but it COULD.


Eric

[Spikes]

You're right Eric, my stern deadline of Wednesday still stands, obviously.
Thanks for the help!