Can't find item, what do I do?

[weatherloach]

Hi

I sold an inexpensive item and can't find it. The buyer has lots of feedback, and never leaves negs, they seem to be good people.

I would offer another similar and more expensive but I have nothing alike.

I would like to avoid cancelling, it's not good.

I don't mind offering something else that cost more but how do I get protected from "Not as described".

Thanks for your time

[Anonymous]

@weatherloach 

My first step would be to inform the buyer and ask if they would request that the purchase be canceled.

Then cancel.

Many people are understanding.  

Go from there.

Hopefully it works out. 

[Anonymous]

@weatherloach 

Ps.  Don't complicate it with an exchange of items. 

[coolections]

You are not the first and probably not the last to come here saying that. To me, it is mindboggling how someone can sell an expensive item and not know where it is. For future reference, always put the item in a box with packaging material as if it was already sold and mark it with what is in the box.

[chapeau-noir · Accepted solution]

OP said INexpensive item.

Still, it's a pain to lose anything @weatherloach - you're not the first to have done it.  It's best to be upfront with your buyer, tell them what happened and apologize, and offer several solutions - another item, anything else in your store, for example. You could also see if they don't mind waiting a day while you continue to look for it. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Sorry, but if you screwed up, then you suck it up & cancel as OOS.   It's the right thing to do.  

I have heard of other people finding another seller with the item & then having it sent to your buyer, in order to avoid an OOS.  I guess that can work if it's an easily found item. 

[candd205]

If you just sold it today, then take a break before you take any action. Leave your eBay room or area and come back tomorrow to search again with fresh eyes. I have searched and searched for something and found it in a box I looked in at least 3 previous times.

[janet9988]

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@weatherloach wrote:

Hi

I sold an inexpensive item and can't find it. The buyer has lots of feedback, and never leaves negs, they seem to be good people.

I would offer another similar and more expensive but I have nothing alike.

I would like to avoid cancelling, it's not good.

I don't mind offering something else that cost more but how do I get protected from "Not as described".

Thanks for your time

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There is NO way for anyone to be protected from that claim.

[rugerskick]

Ask them about sending the other more expensive item.  Might be happy for that one.

[weatherloach]

I wrote inexpensive.

Thanks

[kensgiftshop]

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@weatherloach wrote:

I don't mind offering something else that cost more but how do I get protected from "Not as described".

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You don't.

Cancel the order as out of stock and refund the buyer.

[weatherloach]

Thanks so much chapeau-noir. I am going to look longer tomorrow.

[katzrul15]

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@weatherloach wrote:

Thanks so much chapeau-noir. I am going to look longer tomorrow.

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Can you resource it from someone else or it it a OOK kinda deal?

Every Seller has been right where you are.  Do you have someone else who can "look" for your item?  I make DH go look at the warehouse sometimes.  He almost always "finds" it.........lol  (I do search my excel sheets to be certain it was not previously sold and ghosted back onto the Bay)

Most Buyers are pretty understanding - you could also let them know if you do locate it, you will send it along for free as it is an inexpensive item.  Have done that a long time ago/couple years back..........got a nice repeat customer out of it!

Good luck to you - so stressful when this happens!

[chapeau-noir]

@weatherloach  Yeah - give it some time then look again, if you have someone else who can look, a fresh pair of eyes helps.  Stands to reason that item is SOMEwhere and if it's a small item, it's easy to overlook.

If you can't find it, and your buyer doesn't want a substitute (I did this several years ago and the buyer jumped at another similar, somewhat more expensive item and was very happy), then yeah, it's the out of stock defect.  Things like this (including frantic searches) always remind me to tighten up my inventory keeping and make sure everything accounted for, even little things.  OOS is something no one likes and hopes to never get again, but it's recoverable.