Ecommerce news: Post office strikes and Christmas posting deadlines

In our ecommerce news this week we’ve got all you need to know about Post Office strikes, Christmas posting deadlines, and eBay’s estimated delivery dates.

Post Office strikes 

After a strike by managers at Crown Post Offices on 3 December, there may be more strikes affecting various Post Office branches between 19 December and 23 December. Larger Post Offices are likely to be closed or offering a reduced service on December 19, 20, and 24 when counter staff are planning to strike. Smaller Post Offices could also be affected when cash handlers that deliver money to branches strike on December 22 and 23.

 If you need to use your local Post Office branch in the days leading up to Christmas to send out last minute orders then it might be worth checking whether they will be affected by strikes. Find out more about the planned strikes here.

http://tamebay.com/2016/12/5-day-post-office-strike-is-on-from-19th-december.html  

Christmas posting deadlines

Most UK couriers have now announced their final posting dates for delivery by Christmas. Some important cut off dates for UK deliveries include:

• Royal Mail 2nd Class: Tuesday 20 December
  
• Royal Mail 1st Class: Wednesday 21 December
  
• Royal Mail Special Delivery Saturday Guaranteed: Friday 23 December
  
• Parcelforce: Friday 23 December (+£9)
  
• MyHermes last day to book next-day collection: Sunday 18 December
  
• Last day for drop off: Monday 19 December
  
• DPD: Friday 23 December
  
• Yodel: Thursday 22 December
  

Find out all the Christmas posting deadlines here.

eBay changes estimated delivery dates for Christmas

eBay is changing estimated delivery dates in the run up to Christmas based on the last posting dates for different couriers. Estimates will be automatically adjusted so that if a buyer is looking to buy something after the cut-off date for the delivery service you offer, then the delivery date will be changed to after Christmas.

To ensure that last minute shoppers order from your eBay shop you should offer a next-day delivery option for an additional cost. Find out more about eBay’s changes to estimated delivery dates here. 

eBay listings appearing on Gumtree

eBay has announced that they will start to show eBay listings on Gumtree UK and other classified listings sites that it owns. Buyers on Gumtree will find relevant eBay listings in their search results, and then be able to purchase the items on eBay with or without an eBay account. The idea is to offer shoppers on Gumtree more buying options and increase the number of potential buyers and conversions for eBay sellers. eBay has tested using eBay inventory on Gumtree in Australia earlier this year and plans to start adding eBay listings to Gumtree UK by the end of 2016.

Find out more about eBay and Gumtree sharing inventory here.