Time Away on eBay is a must-know feature for sellers who need a break without risking their reputation or revenue. Whether you’re planning a vacation, handling personal matters, or need time to recharge, this guide will show you how to pause your store, manage buyer expectations, and return smoothly.
🔍 What Is Time Away on eBay?
Time Away on eBay is a seller tool that allows you to temporarily adjust your store operations. You can either:
- Pause item sales: Hide listings and prevent purchases.
- Allow item sales: Keep listings active with extended delivery estimates.
This feature helps sellers avoid late shipments, maintain positive feedback, and stay in control—even while offline.
Navigating eBay’s User Agreement: What You Need to Know Effective May 16, 2025 – Stacey Knows
🛠️ How to Activate Time Away on eBay (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps to enable Time Away on eBay:
- Log into your Seller Hub.
- Click Account Settings.
- Under Selling Tools, select Time Away Settings.
- Click Schedule Time Away.
- Choose:
- Pause item sales (listings hidden)
- Allow item sales (listings visible with delayed delivery)
- Set your Start Date and End Date.
- Click Apply.
🧠 Tip: Changes take effect immediately if you select today’s date. Scheduled Time Away begins at 12:01 AM on the start date.
🧭 Alternative: Manual Handling Time Adjustment
If you prefer to keep your listings live without using Time Away:
- Bulk-edit your listings to extend handling time.
- Add a store banner or note in item descriptions.
- Use auto-replies to inform buyers of your return date.
This method gives you more flexibility, especially if you plan to check messages or ship occasionally.
⚠️ Important Considerations
- Duration Limits:
- Up to 15 days if allowing sales.
- Up to 30 days if pausing sales.
- Fees Still Apply: eBay subscription and listing fees continue during Time Away.
- Listings That May Stay Active:
- Second Chance Offers
- Digital items
- Local pickup listings
📌 Note: Always double-check your active listings before stepping away.
🧼 How to Return from Time Away on eBay
To bounce back smoothly:
- Schedule your return date one day later than your actual return.
- Refresh your listings with updated metadata and visuals.
- Consider running a limited-time sale to re-engage buyers.
- Respond to messages promptly to rebuild momentum.
Ready to take a break without breaking your eBay flow? Print my free Time Away on eBay Checklist and keep your store protected while you recharge. It’s compact, easy to follow, and designed to help you step away with confidence.
Grab it now and tape it to your workspace, pin it to your planner, or share it with a fellow reseller who needs a breather!
