Typical wait time after agreement reached?

[Squid]

In my specific case, I sent money three days ago and am still waiting for the models purchased to be sent. I sent one PM reminder and received a prompt "hopefully tonight!" type response, but I'm weighing the balance of constant reminders (because I want the models) with giving a reasonable amount of time to get them sent.

I realize there is a breadth of response possible to the question, so I'll clarify that I'm looking for what is typical and widely accepted here at BT. After a deal has been reached, what is the generally accepted wait time for items/money to be sent?

[DenverZeppo]

I can't answer "typical" but I can share personal stories.

I've never shipped waited more than 48 hours between agreement and shipping when I was shipping first, and I've never waited more than 24 hours between receipt of goods and shipping out my side when the other person is shipping first.

I have also never been involved in a PayPal/cash transaction, so I don't know if there is time required for payments to clear or anything.

[MagickalMemories]

That's something that should always be worked out during the trade discussion, so nobody is caught in the position you're in.
PM me the User's name, ref score and date you paid him.

IMO, if you paid him more than 3 days ago and don't know exactly when he's shipping, you should consider freezing the payment with PayPal if the guy's got less than a 40 or 50 rating.


Eric

[Imaginos]

Sometimes things happen - people get sick, real life events occur, Mayan apocalypses, that sort of stuff. I wouldn't stress out too much, but search the other guy's id and name on Bartertown. If he's scamming you, he's probably scamming others (though not a guarantee on that).

In the future, I suggest including shipping timing as part of the agreement. My normal guideline for myself is that I can ship within 2 business days of receipt of payment or package (that normally works for me, but there have been a couple of times where it took longer due to work).

If the other party does not meet the agreed upon terms, they are in risk of a bad trader report for failure to meet the conditions. But again, realize other events come up and if it isn't extreme, cut the guy some slack. I'm in a trade right now where the other guy was planning to send last week, but got sick. I shipped my stuff several days before he was planning to. I'm looking forward to my package, but he's been up front with me and when it comes down to it, I'm not hurt. As long as he ends up shipping, all is good.

[ancientsociety]

3 days is nothing.

Remember you are buying from another person, not a business. As Imaginos mentioned, real life does get in the way. If you need something quickly, you should probably frequent an e-tailer or FLGS. If I have a large sale list, I sometimes have to do runs once to twice a week to the PO or else I'd go everyday and that just doesn't work with my schedule. I always try to communicate delays with other traders but sometimes things happen - even I've had to send out almost a week later, simply because I could not get to the PO.

I'd also ask - how long did it take you to pay? Not to call you out, but I've had tons of traders that have said they would purchase something and finalize a deal, only to have to wait days and days for payment. Then, if there is a delay in shipping, they get cranky about having to wait. Again, not saying you did this, just putting it out there - if you want something shipped quickly, let the other trader know and pay quickly on your end.

[kturock]

I disagree with ancient..this is a business.
You've entered a binding business contract.
It's legal, it's binding.

Like Imaginos said, all that should be worked out at the finalizition of the deal. ie., I'll pay tuesday and you will ship when?
Sellers: Always state when you plan to ship. ie., I can only ship on weekends. I'll ship the next day after payment.

[MagickalMemories]

And I agree with BOTH of them.
It's not a business (I don't have a business license), but it SHOULD be treated like one. Your reputation's on the line, so a crappy response on your end is reacted to accordingly.
Buyers should always give their expectations on shipping and give (and stick with) their expectations on payment.
Sellers/traders should always give their expectations on shipping and stick with them.

I, for example, can ONLY ship on Saturdays, except in case of some unusual occurance, like a happenstance day off during the week. I make that known AFTER we come to a price/trade agreement but before the other side pays or ships their side. I also make it known if I'm shipping ASAP or if I'm waiting until I receive your payment or item(s). If I get your package/payment on a Monday, you know in advance that it's going to be 5 days before I can ship, unless I've told you otherwise.
It's just smart trading.

That said, Squid, even though you've been here almost 2 years, you've only got 2 trades and 10 posts (as of this message). So, it's expected that (a) you've still got soe learning to do (b) you're going to do your best and (c) if you screw up, you'll make it right. That last one is the most important, and is appropriate, REGARDLESS what someone's ref score is. I, happily, have no negatives or neutrals on my ref history and, if you read the comments, I've made mistakes more than a handful of times. It's not about being perfect, it's about how you handle your mistakes.


Eric

Eric

[optimusprime14]

It's not about being perfect, it's about how you handle your mistakes.

That is the best piece of advice you could give to anyone of this forum, or in life in general