eBay's message to buyers "It’s business as usual"

There’s been much talk about the CWU industrial action Royal Mail are suffering but eBay are doing their utmost both to support sellers and also to keep buyers buying.

As well as the more visible on site messaging and negotiating deals with courier companies to assist sellers to beat the strike they’ve been active in the media with the key message to buyers being to continue buying as normal and you will get your goods, at worst they’ll just take a couple of days longer to arrive.

In comparison to previous Royal Mail strikes, eBay appear to be really up for a fight this time, to ensure that it’s business as usual. Royal Mail are normally heavily promoted on eBay, being the only named carrier in postage options and of course the only carrier whose services can be purchased through PayPal postage. Actively promoting other carriers and arranging discounts for sellers could mark the end of Royal Mail’s dominance as the carrier of choice for eBay sellers.

Some sellers themselves have also been active, spoke out on Sky news last week and I discussed the implications for small business on the BBC. Today , a large eBay trading assistant appeared on Channel 4 News with the message that it’s very much business as usual for customers as they’ve arranged a network of alternative couriers to ensure products are delivered.
 
It’s an important message and one that’s not shared just by eBay – Argos, Amazon and John Lewis have all announced that they’re making alternative arrangements to ensure their products get to their customers with, or without Royal Mail.
 
It’s business as normal with the only difference for many online sellers being that it’s business without the Royal Mail. The message for buyers is to carry on buying – eBay and online sellers will do whatever is necessary to ensure that your purchases are delivered.