Accidentally Sent The Wrong Item

[freshgear4less]

The customer recieved the wrong package becasue it was mis labeled by mistake. The listing says that buyer pays return shipping. They asked me if they have to pay for return shipping. In this scenario I don't believe the buyer should pay also I don't want negative feedback so I would like to take responsiblity for return shipping.

How can I help this buyer in order to answer their question? i tell them to return becasue of "wrong item"  would that make me pay for the return shipping?

[the_fancy_fox]

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@freshgear4less wrote:

The customer recieved the wrong package becasue it was mis labeled by mistake. The listing says that buyer pays return shipping. They asked me if they have to pay for return shipping. In this scenario I don't believe the buyer should pay also I don't want negative feedback so I would like to take responsiblity for return shipping.

How can I help this buyer in order to answer their question? i tell them to return becasue of "wrong item"  would that make me pay for the return shipping?

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I would pay for a label and email it to them. Then I would send the correct item ASAP.

Buyer should not pay return shipping when YOU made the mistake.

Have you checked your inventory to confirm you made a mistake? If so I would be bending over backwards in apology. The last time I did this, (its been a few years), the item was low cost and I told them to keep the wrong item and I sent the correct item for free.

If that item belongs to another customer, you need to get it back asap.

[freshgear4less]

I don't think I have to send them money. I need to know would "wrong item" be sufficent for eBay to send me the cost for the return shipping label? I know that my listing said that buyer pays for return shipping, but I thought that returns were free for buyers regarless if the item was not as described or it was the wrong item. I just need to make sure before I tell the buyer what to do.

[pjcdn2005]

How can I help this buyer in order to answer their question? i tell them to return becasue of "wrong item"  would that make me pay for the return shipping?

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Yes,  assuming that you are both in the US,  a 'wrong item' return would generate a shipping label that would be charged to you if they used the label.  

[gracieallen01]

Well, to put it bluntly, the buyer doesn't have to even send it back, if they don't want to.  In commerce, it is considered an unsolicited gift.

Sooooo, if you want it back and they are willing to return it, I think you could consider yourself very lucky that they are being honest for you making a mistake and not taking advantage of it.

Be thankful, pay the return shipping.

[pjcdn2005]

The buyer ordered an item from the seller.  That is not an unsolicited gift even if there is a problem with the item.

[gracieallen01]

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

The buyer ordered an item from the seller.  That is not an unsolicited gift even if there is a problem with the item.

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True, however, the item received wasn't what was ordered.  Because the seller blew it, the buyer is not responsible for making up for the sellers mistake.  A reasonable, understanding and honest person would return the item, but they don't have to. 

They didn't order what was received, so it is a gift from the seller - if they choose to say so.

[pjcdn2005]

Neither ebay or Paypal are going to force a refund if the item is not returned. 

Basically you're saying that anyone who says they received the wrong item doesn't have to return for a refund and that's just not the way it works. 

[moo*cow*corner]

A merchant is allowed to fix a problem with a valid order without that unsolicited gift thing even coming into play.

If the wrong item is expensive enough, you can bet that I'd have a carrier knocking on a buyer's door with a call tag in hand to have the item returned to me.

Now, if I pick a name and address out of the phone book, send them some items and follow up with an invoice demanding payment after the scan shows delivered, THAT would be an unsolicited gift. In the early days of mail order, that is exactly what sleazy merchants would do.

[gracieallen01]

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

Neither ebay or Paypal are going to force a refund if the item is not returned. 

Basically you're saying that anyone who says they received the wrong item doesn't have to return for a refund and that's just not the way it works. 

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ebay and PayPal can force refunds at any time they wish - they have your financial info, and collection agencies, too.  They can not force a return, though.

Many years ago, there were unscruplous companies that would send out unsolicited items and then bill for them.  It even worked it's way down to but old subscription book clubs.  Laws were passed and the practice was halted - for the most part.

The buyer got something in the mail that they did not order.  They did not get, in the mail, what they did order and paid for.

[gracieallen01]

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@moo*cow*corner wrote:
A merchant is allowed to fix a problem with a valid order without that unsolicited gift thing even coming into play.

If the wrong item is expensive enough, you can bet that I'd have a carrier knocking on a buyer's door with a call tag in hand to have the item returned to me.

Now, if I pick a name and address out of the phone book, send them some items and follow up with an invoice demanding payment after the scan shows delivered, THAT would be an unsolicited gift. In the early days of mail order, that is exactly what sleazy merchants would do.

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And, just HOW is that carrier going to FORCE the person answering the door to hand that item over?

[moo*cow*corner]

Theoretically, if they refuse to cooperate with a call tag, I'd think my recourse would be to sue them, in their jurisdiction, for the return on my item. Of course, IANAL, so there ya go. If I remember right, the law does say that the receiver has to cooperate with a call tag. So, I'd think that to do otherwise--- it'd be considered unjust enrichment.

Practically speaking, it would have to be an awful darned expensive item for me to even consider going to that extreme. An honest person would comply with the call tag. A dishonest person just looking for a freebie wouldn't.

[gracieallen01]

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@moo*cow*corner wrote:

Theoretically, if they refuse to cooperate with a call tag, I'd think my recourse would be to sue them, in their jurisdiction, for the return on my item. Of course, IANAL, so there ya go. If I remember right, the law does say that the receiver has to cooperate with a call tag. So, I'd think that to do otherwise--- it'd be considered unjust enrichment.

Practically speaking, it would have to be an awful darned expensive item for me to even consider going to that extreme. An honest person would comply with the call tag. A dishonest person just looking for a freebie wouldn't.

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It probably isn't really worth it to go to extremes - in most cases.  Since the person in the OP's post seems to be amenable to the return, I think the seller should get off the 'who's going to pay me' for my mistake and just get it over with.

[the_fancy_fox]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

Well, to put it bluntly, the buyer doesn't have to even send it back, if they don't want to.  In commerce, it is considered an unsolicited gift.

Sooooo, if you want it back and they are willing to return it, I think you could consider yourself very lucky that they are being honest for you making a mistake and not taking advantage of it.

Be thankful, pay the return shipping.

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Actually no. Legally it’s called unjust enrichment. Look it up.

flip side of that though it will take a court to rule on it and on most eBay transactions, it just not worth it. 

[the_fancy_fox]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

Neither ebay or Paypal are going to force a refund if the item is not returned. 

Basically you're saying that anyone who says they received the wrong item doesn't have to return for a refund and that's just not the way it works. 

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ebay and PayPal can force refunds at any time they wish - they have your financial info, and collection agencies, too.  They can not force a return, though.

Many years ago, there were unscruplous companies that would send out unsolicited items and then bill for them.  It even worked it's way down to but old subscription book clubs.  Laws were passed and the practice was halted - for the most part.

The buyer got something in the mail that they did not order.  They did not get, in the mail, what they did order and paid for.

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Again no. 

The FTC rule was put in place when companies we’re sending unordered merchandise and then billing for it. Does not apply in this situation.

Do you think that if you go to your local Chevrolet dealer and order an econo car, pay cash and then when that car is delivered they drop off a brand new corvette that you get to keep it?

Why not? It’s in your name.

Trust me, you won’t get to keep it it.

Unjust enrichment.  look it up.