Why do online sellers send useless automated replies?
Automated messages from online shops often lack essential order updates or return dates, leaving buyers stranded without a timeline. These vague responses are worse than no reply at all because they create false engagement while completely failing to answer basic questions about pending orders.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1canceling the order
- 2checking the estimated delivery date manually
- 3waiting to see if the order ships on time
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“An awful auto response.”source ↗
“OP has an outstanding order. If the shop has outstanding orders when they go on vacation, the auto reply really NEEDS to clarify when they will be back and when the buyer can expect a response.”source ↗
“the autoreply really needs to actually convey information. Like "we will return from our pillaging on [specific date] and respond to you then" would be helpful. Non-reply replies like this are almost worse than no reply at all. 😭”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5Seller gave me a fake tracking number with a thank you card
- 5Why hasn't my online order shipped yet?
- 11Why is this community full of sales pitches and spam?
- 4How to stop sellers from harassing you to change reviews
- 3Why won't retailers respond to cold wholesale outreach?
- 5How do I spot scams as a new seller on online marketplaces?