How long should I keep a reserved listin?

[Former_Member]

I set up a reserved listing for a costumer yesterday evening. So far I have not heard from her. She realy seemed to want to purchase two items. I wrote her back and told her that I would set up a reserved listing for her. How long should I wait before taking of the listing. Or should I contact buyer?
Please help!
Thanks

[Former_Member]

Did you convo the link to the reserve listing for her?

I would keep it open for a couple of days at least, since it's possible that she's not someone who can be on the computer daily.

[Former_Member]

I would wait a couple of days and then convo her to see if she received the link to the listing or if she has any questions at all to see if that gets the ball rolling. She may have just forgotten about it or not had access to her computer. Hope this helps! :)

[Former_Member]

The same has happened to me before. I gave them (as I recall) three days, and they did come through! There are some people that just aren´t on the computer every day!

[Former_Member]

I would say 3 days.

[ModernSwitch]

If I have something in my shop I reserve it for a few days, if it's a custom listing, I just leave it up, I've had some people wait 1-2 weeks before buying the listing.

[Former_Member]

I usually wait 48 hours, then write them a note, and wait another 48 hours. If they don't answer back or purchase it, I'll deactivate it. But once in a while I've forgotten about a reserve listing, and then about 2 weeks later, they come back and buy it.

[Former_Member]

I give people 1 week, and that's as long as I'll hold an item; they don't pay, it goes back up for regular sale!
From reading these other posts though, perhaps I should shorten the time I hold an item!

Rebecca

[Former_Member]

You guys are right—It does really depend on the item. Of course if it were something that would be harder to sell to just anyone, I´d leave it up there a couple weeks if necessary! If it´s something you can sell right away, though, I´d say give her a few days.

[Former_Member]

I sell baby clothes/hats and the like. I'd leave it up for a week and, sometime during that week, make sure I messaged her a friendly reminder that her item is listed and include another link to the custom listing. I also let them know that they will receive a separate notification when the item ships. (This kind of lets them know that you won't ship the item until after payment for the listing is completed, without actually saying those exact words.)

I actually had a woman buy from me and she hadn't gotten back to me in a few days because her husband and kids were sick... You never know why someone is delaying. It could be for a legitimate reason.

[Former_Member]

After reading everyone's posts, I think I might state something in my shop policies about holding ready to ship items... I don't think I want to get into that. I also always wait to start special orders until the customer purchases the listing. If something's ready to ship, I'm not sure I want to reserve it and run the risk that they won't buy it and I'll miss out on a potential sale in the mean time.

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much everybody!! Your inputs were realy helpfull. I guess I have to be patient and wait a few more days.

[Former_Member]

I agree with the others.

You should definitely contact her with the link to her reserved listing if you have not already done so.

It is best to have a policy set regarding custom orders if you do them. For example, I make sure that my customers know that any made to order item takes a week to complete at the moment. Should this become a longer period of time, I will adjust this.

If you do not want to hold on to a "reserved" listing for more than a week, make sure to put this in your policies and in convos to the potential buyer so that they know what to expect.

I hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

What do you do if someone else buys the reserved listing?? Just happened to me...

[WildflowerSalvage]

I normally will only reserve an item or listing for 24hrs, precisely because of what you are going through. After dealing with many "abandoned" reserved orders, I don't like to put myself in the position of "hounding" customers. I figure, if someone is truly interested 24hrs will be just the right amount of time to wrap up a sale. Since implementing I have not had one customer complain or not check out, where as when I reserved for longer many items went unclaimed.

[WildflowerSalvage]

Angeles,
Contact both customer who you have it reserved for (double check to make sure they are going to purchase) and then contact the person who bought the item letting them know that this was reserved and purchase price will be refunded (renew listing before canceling sale).

[Former_Member]

I always ask for a timeline on reserve or the buyer tells me when they will purchase. I'll wait a couple of days past this agreed upon expiry date and then I remove the reserve if it has not been purchased.
I also send a friendly inquiry to see if there are any hold-ups and such. Delays do happen. If no response, then the item is back on the market.

[CapeCodArtnNature]

did she ask you to reserve items? seeming really interested and actually asking you to reserve is quite different.

if i reserve something for someone i do it with a very specific timeline--depending on the person and the reason they have asked for a reserve--

i do a lot of custom work and those i allow a bit more leeway on but usually that too is agreed upon in advance....

i believe in getting all agreements in writing--which would be in convo here.

[HausofAriella]

When I agree to put up a reserved listing for someone I always tell them upfront that I can hold it for them for x days (depending on the item) and that if they need me to hold it longer for some reason to let me know. Keep in mind that most people aren't on Etsy constantly like many of us are, so it might be a few more days before she checks back on Etsy.

[BrushStrokeOrnaments]

Since my "reserved" listings are for custom (unmade) items, I leave the listing up for about a week and then re=contact the buyer. Usually they've just forgotten or were busy with other things. It doesn't bother me to leave the listing up for weeks. It's not like I've lost anything (other than the listing fee).

[PaperFlora]

I include in the listing that the listing has to be purchased and paid in full by a certain date. It works for me.

[ionesAttic]

Agreed!
Add wording to the effect "this item is reserved through..." an agreed date, usually for me 48 hours.
It gives the prospective buyer all the head's up they need.
You are protected, and other prospective buyers may check back to see if the item is available after the date.