eBay

ryda-6727 · ‎04-20-2022

This was my first sale on E-Bay. I listed a US $20 birthday note with the serial number ME03121827J (Or March 12, 1827). After a buyer made an offer and I accepted it I noticed I had put down the wrong description. The picture showed the correct number and the serial number of "ME03121827J" but my description said... "Twenty ($20) Birthday Note March 12, 1827 Serial # ME04261946J Series 2013". When I noticed my error a few minutes after it sold I immediately sent the buyer a message pointing out the mistake and that I am 100% willing to cancel the order if the buyer request it.

I should also note that this buyer bought the auction about 10-20 minutes after I posted it. Yes I should have caught the error before I posted it... that defiantly wont happen again.

So my question is this buyer is a new account. They may not pay attention to the message I sent about the error and the willingness to cancel the order. I have not received payment yet as the item just sold. If the buyer never responds but I get the payment what issues may I face if the buyer decided to file a claim against me if I just sent it out without hearing from the buyer? How many times should I try to contact the buyer before I ship the item out after payment?

bubu-luba · ‎04-20-2022

@pburn wrote:
@mybigsale wrote:
The item was not "out of stock", a mistake was made in the description and the item was not as described.
Well, that's the way I would expect you to interpret it.

If you list something you don't have, that's "out of stock." Period.

If you provide buyer with additional details about item that they may not have noticed why is it not ok that the buyer may on their own want to cancel the purchase? The same item is still being offered, not replaced with something different.

bubu-luba · ‎04-20-2022

@donsdetour wrote:

well such should be one of them option to cancel a sale being:
Incorrect description. Still might get a seller a ding, but would be better.

I agree, you may still get a Defect but you would not be selecting a False Reason because the reason does not exists.

On Auctions seller canceling a Bid one of the available reasons is something like "error with listing" .

If that gets you a Defect, I do not know.

donsdetour · ‎04-20-2022

@bubu-luba wrote:
@donsdetour wrote:

well such should be one of them option to cancel a sale being:
Incorrect description. Still might get a seller a ding, but would be better.

I agree, you may still get a Defect but you would not be selecting a False Reason because the reason does not exists.

On Auctions seller canceling a Bid one of the available reasons is something like "error with listing" .

If that gets you a Defect, I do not know.

Yep is it an option, yet it is not on completed sales...... Should be....

mybigsale · ‎04-20-2022

It's not up to interpretation.

"If you list something you don't have, that's "out of stock." Period."

- that is correct... it just doesn't fit this case since the item was in stock with a typo.

If I were the buyer - I would have reviewed the photos and expected what was in the photo. I would have left a positive review - even after noticing the typo but receiving the item as pictured.

If I were the seller - I would have followed my own advice and given the buyer options (some buyers don't pay enough attention to the photos). If my buyer saw the message, he may or may not have responded but would have known what to expect. Sometimes I wonder how I get such terrific feedback beyond my expectations... whatever the reason, I will continue to provide what I think is in the best interest of my buyers.

Doing it your way - the current seller has a defect, and I am guessing an unhappy buyer that more than likely would have been expecting and happy with the item as pictured (I am guessing at least 90% of my customers base decisions off the details in the photos).

What was probably a non-issue is now blown out of proportion with negative consequences for the buyer and the seller. Great solution!

donsdetour · ‎04-20-2022

@mybigsale wrote:
It's not up to interpretation.

"If you list something you don't have, that's "out of stock." Period."
- that is correct... it just doesn't fit this case since the item was in stock with a typo.

If I were the buyer - I would have reviewed the photos and expected what was in the photo. I would have left a positive review - even after noticing the typo but receiving the item as pictured.

If I were the seller - I would have followed my own advice and given the buyer options (some buyers don't pay enough attention to the photos). If my buyer saw the message, he may or may not have responded but would have known what to expect. Sometimes I wonder how I get such terrific feedback beyond my expectations... whatever the reason, I will continue to provide what I think is in the best interest of my buyers.

Doing it your way - the current seller has a defect, and I am guessing an unhappy buyer that more than likely would have been expecting and happy with the item as pictured (I am guessing at least 90% of my customers base decisions off the details in the photos).

What was probably a non-issue is now blown out of proportion with negative consequences for the buyer and the seller. Great solution!

Hmm this would depend on the item and the description error.

Due to error the item is not in stock in this case.

Simple.

stephenmorgan · ‎04-20-2022

eBay wants buyers and sellers to work out their own issues but if I can not work it out I would have called eBay for guidance.

I had to cancel a sale before because of an price error in the listing. I did it with eBay's permission/guidance and the Defect was removed immediately.

mybigsale · ‎04-20-2022

Your buyer buys an all-white coffee cup as pictured.

You notice the all-white coffee cup is listed as black.

You cancel the order and when the buyer asks why you cancelled their all-white coffee cup order you tell them: Sorry you can't have that all-white coffee cup. According to the listing it's all-black. The all-white coffee cup won't be in stock until I cancel the all-white coffee cup and relist it as an all-white coffee cup.

That is one solution.

I will stick to asking "Hey, did you notice the white cup you purchased is white as pictured or do you think its black like the listing says? Ok... so you know it's white... then I'll go ahead and ship.

donsdetour · ‎04-20-2022

@mybigsale wrote:

I will stick to asking "Hey, did you notice the white cup you purchased is white as pictured or do you think its black like the listing says? Ok... so you know it's white... then I'll go ahead and ship.

How to confuse the average purchaser on eBay fer sure........ LOL

mybigsale · ‎04-20-2022

The average purchaser is going to be thinking "Of course I think I bought what was pictured". Which is why in most cases buyers will want the item as pictured - kind of the opposite of having their order cancelled.

I'm glad we finally agree!

fraflo24 · ‎02-12-2024

This is not good advice at all . Now this person has to be careful to not get anymore defects . We both know how hard it is , for people to sell on eBay and once this person hits below standard it will be harder . Just tell them to quit next time 😕 because that’s technically what your advice is meant for anyways .

ckimodog · ‎02-12-2024

@fraflo24

This thread is almost 2 years old and the person you are addressing seldom posts here any more. The OP who started this thread no longer sells after 1 sale. My guess is eBay handles the situation.

Should you have any questions or concerns it's always a good idea to start your own thread to get the help and advice you need for your specific situation.

soh.maryl · ‎02-12-2024

Notice the date on the original post?

kh-cathy · ‎02-12-2024

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.