E-Commerce Interrupted by Midwest Tornado Devastation

E-Commerce Interrupted by Tornado Devastation

eBay urges buyers and sellers to be patient.

By Olga Munoz · March 7, 2012 · 1 Comment
TAGGED IN: buying, ebay, selling, shipping

Powerful tornadoes struck the Midwestern U.S. last week and lasted into the weekend, leaving destruction in their wake and thousands without power.

This could mean that online buyers and sellers may have to wait longer for payments, communication about a transaction and deliveries, eBay notes in its General Announcements. In a statement to users, the marketplace notes that the harsh weather affected Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Indiana, and urges its users to be understanding.

“We encourage you to be patient in this matter, both throughout the transaction and when providing feedback once your item arrives,” the statement notes.

As of this writing, thousands of residents in the Midwest are still without power, including 19,000 people in Kentucky and 2,800 in Indiana, according to news reports.

At least 45 confirmed tornadoes hammered the region, according to news reports, leaving piles of rubble, and many people dead or injured. One tornado in Kentucky is reported to have reached winds of up to 140 mph. The strongest tornado is reported to have reached speeds of 175 mph.

Olga Munoz is editor of TheOnlineSeller.com. In addition to writing news and feature articles about e-commerce, selling trends, online marketing and other topics of interest to online sellers, Olga manages the site's social media efforts. A journalism graduate of Chico State, Olga says her favorite part of being a journalist is learning interesting facts that help put stories into perspective, attending industry events and meeting interesting people "that leave you smiling, even in tough situations." Opinions expressed here may not be shared by The Online Seller and/or its principals.

Jabberchatter

The devastation is unprecedented in the the Southern Indiana communities. I stood and watched as the swirling monster moved just 10 miles north with its lashing tongue wiping neighboring communities off the map. No water, phones, electric or cell service to Henryville Indiana. Same for Pekin, Marysville, and Nabb Indiana.