eBay Time Away: How to Pause Your Shop the Right Way

Quick answer: eBay Time Away lets you take a break without closing your shop. You can choose to allow sales, which keeps listings live and pushes back the delivery dates buyers see (up to 15 days in eBay's help guide), or pause sales, which hides fixed-price listings from search (up to 30 days). You set it under Account settings, then Time Away. Start it a day before you leave and end it a day after you return.

"ebay seller away setting" is one of the fastest-rising eBay searches in the UK this autumn. Tekovex manages eBay stores for UK and US sellers, and our client stores have passed £1 million in UK sales. Time Away is the setting we see used wrongly most often before holidays.

Allow sales or pause sales: which should you pick?

• Allow sales: listings stay visible and buyers can still order. Buyers see a notice that you are away, and estimated delivery dates move back automatically. Pick this for short breaks when someone can still dispatch soon after you return.
• Pause sales: fixed-price listings are hidden from search and buyers can't buy them. It can take a few hours for listings to disappear and reappear. Pick this for longer breaks, or when nobody can dispatch.
• Auctions: stay visible either way, with a Time Away notice.

How to set up eBay Time Away, step by step

• 1. Go to My eBay, then Account settings, then Time Away.
• 2. Select Schedule time away.
• 3. Choose Allow item sales or Pause item sales.
• 4. Set your start and end dates. Time Away starts at the beginning of the start date and ends at the end of the end date.
• 5. Add an automatic reply so buyers who message you know when you'll be back.
• 6. Save, then check one listing as a buyer would see it.

What Time Away does not cover

• Orders placed before your Time Away starts must still be dispatched on time.
• You still need to answer buyer requests and cases on earlier orders.
• eBay fees continue while you are away, including shop subscriptions.
• Delivery dates are not updated for some sales, such as Second Chance Offers, auto-accepted offers, pending counter-offers, offers you accept while away, local pickup items and digital items.

Will Time Away hurt my eBay rankings?

Pausing sales stops your listings selling while you're away, so expect a short dip when you return while sales history rebuilds. Allowing sales keeps listings selling, but only use it if orders will be dispatched by the new dates. Late dispatch is what really damages your seller performance. For breaks of a few days, allowing sales with a clear notice usually keeps your rankings steadier.

Tips before you go

• Clear all outstanding orders and messages before Time Away starts.
• Schedule it to start one day early and end one day late.
• End or relist time-sensitive auctions so they don't close while you're away.
• If someone else will dispatch for you, keep sales open and set realistic dispatch times instead.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I use eBay Time Away?

eBay's help guide gives up to 15 days when you allow sales and up to 30 days when you pause sales. Check the limits shown in your own settings.

Does eBay Time Away hide my listings?

Only if you choose Pause item sales. Then fixed-price listings are hidden from search, while auctions stay visible.

Do I still pay eBay fees while away?

Yes. Fees and shop subscriptions continue during Time Away.

Can buyers still message me?

Yes. Set an automatic reply so they know when you'll be back.

What if I can't take a break at all?

Have someone run dispatch and messages while you're away, so your shop keeps selling.

Need cover while you're away?

Tekovex runs eBay stores day to day, including dispatch, messages and cases, so your shop keeps selling while you take a break. See our eBay management service or book a free consultation.