It was a crazy week for messed up sales...
I usually have an error (or an INAD right out the door) once every six months... this week I had three.
First was a Isle of Man crown. I had several, but relisted by mistake after the last sold. Made the customer happy by replacing the coin (same coin, different packaging) and a 50% refund since it wasn't exactly what she ordered. She wanted the coin, packing was not so important, so this customer is happy.
Second customer was an error in my listing. All coins I package are listed as circulated (because I handled them, they might be super nice, but I still say circulated) and this one was listed as uncirculated. It was very nice, the pictures were nice, the coin was nice, but I wasn't comfortable calling it uncirculated. Sent a note to the buyer (the usual verbage is that I inspect everything when shipping to make sure it's as described, or in the same condition as listed), I wasn't comfortable that it was described as UNC, so I gave him a 50% refund and offered him to receive the coin and take a look, with the option to return if it's not acceptable at half off.
This customer wrote back to tell me it's nice to meet an honest coin dealer on eBay. Geez are we really that rare? I expect people who I do business with to be honest, and am not surprised when they are. Anyway he said he'd look at the coin when he gets it and let me know if there's an issue. (Like I said, it's super nice, but I shouldn't have listed it as uncirculated).
Last customer was a regular, purchased a silver dollar from me in a flip for $26. When I pulled it, I saw a few small toned spots. This coin did have faults which I photographed (in part, they dipped it at the shop and that didn't take care of all the marks on it). Still very nice piece, but I felt the toned spots were ugly. Instead of dipping it myself, I went back to the shop today and asked to swap it for another one "urgently" so I could mail it today. Even had the envelope and tape with me to do that immediately after getting the coin.
I said to the shop owner "if you paid $26 for this, would you be happy with it?" He said no. so I said "exactly, now I need a nice one to send him instead". I sent him a note when I got home to let him know there was a replacement but it's better than the listed one (this one didn't have the faults). I'm sure it will be fine. I think the shop complied with my request because they wanted us to keep the $26. Might be a while before I get a sale that good on another coin like it.
Anyway I hope next week is better. I've got lots of listing to do (like lots, like maybe 3000 things), but haven't been able to make time for that. Vacation (from my job) next week, perhaps I can get some extra eBay time in there.
C.
chapeau-noir
·3 years agoI had a rough start to the year and began to wonder if I was losing it - one mistake I made covered me with blushes. So yeah, it happens.
Hope all goes well with your medication change!
nuclearomen
·3 years agoyou mean you had a week with sales? 😆 Last month was horrid, worst month ever here. Glad to hear you got some.
sin-n-dex
OP3 years agoI've got some regulars that come back frequently to get minor things.
I did notice when I did my May month end, that sales did drop down a lot in May. (I am not complaining, just observing I did more than double in March and April each). But in May I didn't list much, and I do think listing helps a whole lot.
C.
inhawaii
·3 years agoTake it easy and have a great weekend! 😃
dirk12955
·3 years agoI just got hit with a return. First one in recent memory. I sent her the wrong stamp and she
filed a return before we could talk.
And then of course, I sent her stamp to somebody else so I have 2 problems to deal with.
All ebay problems seem to com in pairs. And the slower business is, The more mistakes I make.
sin-n-dex
OP3 years agoYou have my sympathies on this. I've been concerned I would switch packages (and nearly have). I'm pretty anxious, so I definitely don't like trouble on eBay. I tend to resolve some simple issues with partial refunds to make the problem go away (and get out of the $14 return label to Canada).
When business is slow, you're making more mistakes because you don't feel enthusiastic about it. It becomes a chore to send a couple of packages a day, but when you have lots you feel better about how good your sales are.
C.
inhawaii
·3 years agoWARNING!
I heard they come in 3's! 😉
oldwestcoins
·3 years agoGee, you're lucky. I make mistakes no matter how much is selling. The trick is to not tell anyone.
duncanvr
·3 years agoIts a good thing you show attention to detail and great customer service, customers should be thrilled. I was trying to wind my store down, no auctions then sudden rush of buy it nows sold. I am going to put the shop in time away allow purchase mode whilst I start moving house next 2 weeks. If your having a vacation its great time to get a few more listed. Do you use a draft bank or list immediately?
sin-n-dex
OP3 years agoI use SixBit. I probably won't do much in the way of listing... listing is something I generally do at night during some news broadcasts and while watching a movie (it's a Monday to Thursday thing normally). SixBit will hold all my drafts in a bank as you describe and then I can put them up when I want. Generally I do 50-100 listings in a night and list them all when the news ends.
My plans right now are to do inventory processing mainly... in this case, I have 4 jars of coins to package and organize to create some 1.29 auctions to run next month or so. But I need to pack and organize the coins first, and I didn't have time for that while working, doing listings, and packing and shipping. I'm also planning to spend some time at the B&M store (which is probably where I'll package my coins). My job is one of the fun jobs at the store. Many other staff are going through buckets of coins from stuff customers bring in (we buy it all, but cheap, and then we search for little gems in the bucket). I think going through pennies and nickels all day is kinda boring.
The customer with the silver dollar wrote back to thank me for sending him a nicer coin and he appreciated the care I take with my customers. (He's bought many times, he doesn't speak English and I think he makes deals with me because I can read and write in French).
C.
oldwestcoins
·3 years agoI couldn't imagine listing BIN items for $1-$2 as so many you have listed. And yes, I have another ID that I mainly sell under. Good luck with that.
sin-n-dex
OP3 years agoThe cheap items have a purpose. Generally we pay almost nothing for them (or actually nothing), and getting a bunch of them listed frequently seems to keep the store busy buying all sorts of things. In reality I sell 10 $1-2 items to one customer, so it's not as though I'm spending lots of time packing singles. All those sales you see for cheap trade dollars is three guys buying 100 tokens on auction day.
C.
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoEnjoy your vacation and list when you get back. Do not forget to put your items on VACATION MODE. Enjoy.
sin-n-dex
OP3 years agoNo need, I'm not going anywhere. It's a vacation from work, I'm actually changing medication and there's a risk for an allergic reaction, so I need to be home next week.
I'll still be doing regular eBay stuff at home and dropping packages off.
When I do a real vacation (from life) I definitely use the time away mode and forget about eBay (except for checking messages in case someone is upset about their order). I start my away mode usually a few days before leaving to give people a chance to receive their items so I can resolve problems before I leave.
C.