eBay auto emails rolled back until next year

This morning eBay have rolled back the new auto-emails for Order Confirmation, Order Update (dispatch) and 48 hour Payment Reminders. We expect an announcement board post later today confirming the roll back for several European countries.

I have to say, having hated the emails to start with, I’m regretting that eBay have restored them, especially having worked out the best strategy for working with the new emails. Although the wording left a lot to be desired, not having to chase buyers for payments is something I’m in favour of (especially when it’s eBay that take the blame for sending the email and not me!). More than anything though, I just wish eBay would stop tinkering. In the run up to Christmas I should be getting on with the business of selling, not the business of change.

For now you need to go and update your SMP emails pronto the restored email settings will still have your old messages in place. If like me you probably edited them to inform buyers of the steps you were taking for deliveries during postal strikes emails will be going out with that information.

We’ll look forward to the re-introduction of auto-emails at some point next year when they’ll be implemented across the whole of Europe

Edited to add: It’s now been officially announced

10 Responses on "eBay auto emails rolled back until next year"

1. 1
   Sue Bailey says:

   November 18, 2009 at 12:01 pm

   We’ll look forward to the re-introduction of auto-emails at some point next year
   Some of us might…
   • 1.1
     Chris Dawson says:

     November 18, 2009 at 12:20 pm

     I just hope that second time lucky holds true and they get it right
2. 2
   David Brackin says:

   November 18, 2009 at 12:10 pm

   I have to applaud eBay for doing the right thing here and rolling this “beta release” back quickly and completely. Whilst it was announced some time ago, I confess to being blind-sided by the release, and having a few immediate suggested improvements for my account manager.

   I am going to tweak my SMP emails based on the very useful discussion here and in the other thread. My communications DSR is fine at the moment – but can always do better!

   db
3. 3
   Linda says:

   November 18, 2009 at 12:21 pm

   Lets hope that when they do roll it out again they include an opt out feature for those of us who routinely handle multiple item multiple day orders.
   • 3.1
     JD says:

     November 18, 2009 at 12:31 pm

     With you on that Linda.

     The last 10 days or so have been a complete nightmare. And there was never any buyer facing announcement of the changes.

     It was all in the ‘updates for sellers’.
4. 4
   Alan says:

   November 18, 2009 at 1:37 pm

   You say this morning Chris, but my auto emails are still going out as of 13:17.
   Did you mean it should be already live?

   As has been shown by many on the boards the auto email system was badly implemented and the ebay communication of its workings or non-workings has been abysmal. If they can bring in a system which actually works and we can manage in selling manager then I have no objections. I want as much automation as possible.
5. 5
   whirly says:

   November 18, 2009 at 1:49 pm

   We have a credit control dept. we don’t need anyone doing it for us now and we don’t need anybody doing it for us in the future. Those that do should have the option to turn it OFF and those that want it should have the option to turn it ON.

   Furthermore, all this is quite simple to resolve. CHECKOUT.

   I don’t need to spend 15 years at bloody Harvard to work that out.
6. 6
   Alan says:

   November 18, 2009 at 1:49 pm

   I think James has just announced my previous question on the community boards:

   “Since launching the new emails we have received feedback from customers that there have been issues with their rollout. As a result, the new emails and the ability to customise and view them through Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro will be removed.today and the programme will be reviewed.”

   So active at some point later today.
7. 7
   John M says:

   November 18, 2009 at 2:41 pm

   Why can they not tell us first before making changes ? Communication is key !!

   Hurdles mutter mutter splutter
8. 8
   Mark says:

   November 18, 2009 at 7:41 pm

   I have noticed that Ebays changes are only happening once a year…

   But how long will that set of changes take to implement?

   Six months?

   They might need to consider condensing the length of the single change they are releasing each year…

   Mark