Help! I sent the wrong item to the wrong buyer!

[bpatell]

I’ve tried contacting the buyer over the last four days I’ve sent her five emails telling her I will pay for her to return it to me but I think this person would like to keep it they are not responding to me and they were difficult when paying for their own item they won an auction and then said they would not pay for it unless I offered free shipping, which I did and then I accidentally sent this buyer two different items one that belongs to someone else and the buyer will not respond to me about returning the other item

[guangxi_hone]

Up to the buyer now... does it make sense to offer her reward for returning? 

[inhawaii]

If it makes you feel any better, we've all done that before. 

Unfortunately there is no way to MAKE the buyer return the item. 

It sounds like you already are, but do what you can to fix this, suffer whatever consequences and learn from your mistake. 

Good luck and stay safe!

[chapeau-noir]

You're not alone - I think almost everyone has mixed up items or labels.  Unfortunately, your buyer will probably not be cooperative and you may have to chat with your other buyer to see if there is anything you're selling that they'd like in its place, or just cancel the transaction.

BTW, don't let people bully you into after-transaction 'deals' - you did not have to gift that buyer free shipping. If they won't pay, then file a UID.

[dhbookds]

I've had luck with buyers cooperating, which I've switched labels....no guarantee it will work for anyone else.......

First I apologize profusely, then I offer them postage plus $5 to send the item on  (permissions granted to give out addresses)......  You could try telling the buyer you will pay the postage now  refund them $5 when you get the wrong item back and see if that works.......

[pinksakura2000]

I am guessing the extra product she gets to keep is worth more than $5 to her, therefore to her, it's not worth trouble shipping it back to you for only $5.

[chapeau-noir]

There's not much of a time window to work with, either.  The couple of times I've made this mistake (once sending the wrong item - I wrote the buyer when I realised to please refuse the package and their correct item was on the way - they didn't bother and instead answered me with threats and kept both items), once mixing packages up (both buyers were wonderful about it and it got straightened out). So who knows. 

I've offered my disappointed buyer (when something was lost - seriously, I'm not that sloppy, this is over 18 years of selling) a replacement that she loved, and another a credit for 50% extra (so 150% value of the item) - they chose something else for that credit and were happy.  I didn't mind at all kicking in that 50% extra credit for them as it was my fault and it was the least I could do.

So, some options.

[chapeau-noir]

PS: Most people are reasonable if one is proactive - tell them immediately and offer solutions - they know everyone makes mistakes, it's what you do to try to remedy it, and stepping up right away with ideas that makes the difference.

[vcbjtk0]

Wait for the buyer to open a SNAD, then accept the return.

(and yes I have done this before, better still I've mixed up TWO packages and sent item A to buyer B and the other buyer got the wrong item too)...

No panicking allowed.

Just wait for the buyer(s) to open a SNAD, then accept the return.

[shevey55]

How does a credit or discount in your store work?

I sent a package to the wrong buyer. She let me know and said she will send it on to the correct buyer (the packing slip was correct so has the other buyer's info).

A little twist to this. The buyer who I accidentally sent to is returning the item she did buy-remorse return. She bought a girl item and has a boy. So it would be great if I could reward her with a discount on another item in my store.