eBay

brads_ann · ‎04-18-2018

I sold some software this morning. Box was sealed.

When I went to go ship it, I noticed the box felt empty. There was nothing shaking around. I know there should be a piece of paper with the activation code and instructions, but there was complete quiet when I was shaking it as if it were empty.

I know there is always the possibility it could have gotten shipped to me empty. I didn't feel right about shipping an empty box so I wrote the buyer a Ebay message asking him if it were ok if I slit the tape on top of the box to see if it were empty or not. I explained how it felt empty and I hated to ship him an empty box.

I told him is he were uncomfortable receiving software with a slit in tape at the top, I would be more than happy to cancel the order.

He never wrote back. I looked at Paypal and he doesn't have a email address but I did see a phone number. For the first time ever calling an Ebay, I left him a message explaining the situation.

He doesn't have that much feedback so he doesn't shop on Ebay that often so figured he may not see his messages. That's why I called.

I did go ahead and open the box just to verify something was in there. The piece of paper was caught up under the top flap is why it wasn't flapping around and seemed empty. I now have an open box item.

If I don't hear from him by tomorrow, should I just cancel? I know about defects and all. I don't really see much of a choice if he doesn't respond. I'd hate to send it and while it's on its way to him, he writes me to say to cancel it. Plus he ordered sealed box and it is now opened.

Thanks.

emerald40 · ‎04-18-2018

Is the item in the box what you thought should have been there?

Is your opening it the only problem?

Does it devalue the item?

If not just seal it back up and send it, imo.

lewisburggold · ‎04-18-2018

We would be patient and try to keep contacting the buyer. Let them know whats going on and should be ok. Best regards

brads_ann · ‎04-18-2018

@emerald40 wrote:
Is the item in the box what you thought should have been there?

Is your opening it the only problem?

Does it devalue the item?

If not just seal it back up and send it, imo.

Well they would still be getting what they paid for....software activation code. Some people though might require sealed box but if they use the code they will see it is ok and what they ordered.

My issue is if I do send it, they can claim not as described as the box was opened or as it is shipping later message me and say just ir cancel it and by then it's too late. They have the item.

brads_ann · ‎04-18-2018

@lewisburggold wrote:
We would be patient and try to keep contacting the buyer. Let them know whats going on and should be ok. Best regards

Thanks for the reply. I'll wait until tomorrow and if by noon, I hadn't heard, I think I will cancel. I'll just repost it as new/other or new/open box. I could probably get the same price. Hopefully this fella write me back so if later he wants to say item not described we'll have his message to me saying it's ok to go ahead and send.

I just hate being too patient and too late sending it out.

emerald40 · ‎04-18-2018

@brads_ann wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
Is the item in the box what you thought should have been there?

Is your opening it the only problem?

Does it devalue the item?

If not just seal it back up and send it, imo.
Well they would still be getting what they paid for....software activation code. Some people though might require sealed box but if they use the code they will see it is ok and what they ordered.

My issue is if I do send it, they can claim not as described as the box was opened or as it is shipping later message me and say just ir cancel it and by then it's too late. They have the item.

They could do that even if the item was still sealed in the box.

I would advise them of this. Just tell them you opened it because you wanted to make sure it was in there.

If no response, then send it within your shipping time.

Like you said, if the code works, then an honest buyer should not be upset about this.

faithandbutterflies · ‎04-18-2018

@brads_ann wrote:
I sold some software this morning. Box was sealed.

When I went to go ship it, I noticed the box felt empty. There was nothing shaking around. I know there should be a piece of paper with the activation code and instructions, but there was complete quiet when I was shaking it as if it were empty.

I know there is always the possibility it could have gotten shipped to me empty. I didn't feel right about shipping an empty box so I wrote the buyer a Ebay message asking him if it were ok if I slit the tape on top of the box to see if it were empty or not. I explained how it felt empty and I hated to ship him an empty box.

I told him is he were uncomfortable receiving software with a slit in tape at the top, I would be more than happy to cancel the order.

He never wrote back. I looked at Paypal and he doesn't have a email address but I did see a phone number. For the first time ever calling an Ebay, I left him a message explaining the situation.

He doesn't have that much feedback so he doesn't shop on Ebay that often so figured he may not see his messages. That's why I called.

I did go ahead and open the box just to verify something was in there. The piece of paper was caught up under the top flap is why it wasn't flapping around and seemed empty. I now have an open box item.

If I don't hear from him by tomorrow, should I just cancel? I know about defects and all. I don't really see much of a choice if he doesn't respond. I'd hate to send it and while it's on its way to him, he writes me to say to cancel it. Plus he ordered sealed box and it is now opened.

Thanks.

If this was me I'd like you wait until noon or so then ship it. Include a hand written note explaining how you have tried contacting them, why the box is open and so on. Tell them again you are sorry. My thinking is they will likely not mind. They are new to eBay as you said, unlike some who know all the ins & outs of getting things for free or fishing for partial refunds. This person paid for an activation code and that is what they are getting.

I've actually had something similar happen. I sold an item and I noticed while sitting on my shelf it got shifted and created a large crease on the book cover. It was very noticeable and I was very worried as it was listed like new. I panicked and like you I tried to contact the person in a few different ways but no answer. I did what I suggested to you buy writing a hand written note saying how sorry I was and please let me know if they were unhappy. I didn't write it but if they were unhappy I was going to give them a full refund. It wasn't until a month later I got a hand written note back telling me thank you for my honesty and they were very happy with the book.

a_c_green · ‎04-18-2018

I would just ship it. You could optionally enclose a note explaining that you yourself opened it to verify that the code was in there (given how light it was and all that). Obviously the buyer is going to find out that the code is indeed not used, as you said.

What I would not do is promise to email the code, as you offered to do in your listing. That gives you no proof of delivery, and you're not in a digitally-delivered section of eBay (if I'm not mistaken). You're showing a box, so ship the box, and that will give you Delivery Confirmation on the sale.

brads_ann · ‎04-18-2018

@a_c_green wrote:
I would just ship it. You could optionally enclose a note explaining that you yourself opened it to verify that the code was in there (given how light it was and all that). Obviously the buyer is going to find out that the code is indeed not used, as you said.

What I would not do is promise to email the code, as you offered to do in your listing. That gives you no proof of delivery, and you're not in a digitally-delivered section of eBay (if I'm not mistaken). You're showing a box, so ship the box, and that will give you Delivery Confirmation on the sale.

I don't ever just send the code digitally without also shipping it with a tracking number. I know better. I will email a code if a buyer needs it right away and they ask me to but I also ship the code with a tracking. It's called peace of mind. lol

brads_ann · ‎04-18-2018

@faithandbutterflies wrote:
@brads_ann wrote:
I sold some software this morning. Box was sealed.

When I went to go ship it, I noticed the box felt empty. There was nothing shaking around. I know there should be a piece of paper with the activation code and instructions, but there was complete quiet when I was shaking it as if it were empty.

I know there is always the possibility it could have gotten shipped to me empty. I didn't feel right about shipping an empty box so I wrote the buyer a Ebay message asking him if it were ok if I slit the tape on top of the box to see if it were empty or not. I explained how it felt empty and I hated to ship him an empty box.

I told him is he were uncomfortable receiving software with a slit in tape at the top, I would be more than happy to cancel the order.

He never wrote back. I looked at Paypal and he doesn't have a email address but I did see a phone number. For the first time ever calling an Ebay, I left him a message explaining the situation.

He doesn't have that much feedback so he doesn't shop on Ebay that often so figured he may not see his messages. That's why I called.

I did go ahead and open the box just to verify something was in there. The piece of paper was caught up under the top flap is why it wasn't flapping around and seemed empty. I now have an open box item.

If I don't hear from him by tomorrow, should I just cancel? I know about defects and all. I don't really see much of a choice if he doesn't respond. I'd hate to send it and while it's on its way to him, he writes me to say to cancel it. Plus he ordered sealed box and it is now opened.

Thanks.
If this was me I'd like you wait until noon or so then ship it. Include a hand written note explaining how you have tried contacting them, why the box is open and so on. Tell them again you are sorry. My thinking is they will likely not mind. They are new to eBay as you said, unlike some who know all the ins & outs of getting things for free or fishing for partial refunds. This person paid for an activation code and that is what they are getting.

I've actually had something similar happen. I sold an item and I noticed while sitting on my shelf it got shifted and created a large crease on the book cover. It was very noticeable and I was very worried as it was listed like new. I panicked and like you I tried to contact the person in a few different ways but no answer. I did what I suggested to you buy writing a hand written note saying how sorry I was and please let me know if they were unhappy. I didn't write it but if they were unhappy I was going to give them a full refund. It wasn't until a month later I got a hand written note back telling me thank you for my honesty and they were very happy with the book.

Glad you had a nice buyer. I think I will go ahead and wait until 2pm tomorrow and if I hadn't heard from I will ship. Mailman comes about 3-4pm. When I had the box open, I took a pic of the code should the buyer request it since I didn't get it shipped today. Also if I go ahead and ship and buyer decides to cancel while it's on the way, I will have the code and give it to software company to see if this buyer used the code should he open up a case for some reason.

Good thinking too that they aren't Ebay regulars so probably haven't learned all the ways to scam yet or to know all you gotta say is 'item defective or code not in box, or box opened when stated it was sealed'.

sam9876 · ‎04-18-2018

Sweet Jesus! Just ship it today.

jonathankirkland · ‎04-18-2018

@brads_ann wrote:
@a_c_green wrote:
I would just ship it. You could optionally enclose a note explaining that you yourself opened it to verify that the code was in there (given how light it was and all that). Obviously the buyer is going to find out that the code is indeed not used, as you said.

What I would not do is promise to email the code, as you offered to do in your listing. That gives you no proof of delivery, and you're not in a digitally-delivered section of eBay (if I'm not mistaken). You're showing a box, so ship the box, and that will give you Delivery Confirmation on the sale.
I don't ever just send the code digitally without also shipping it with a tracking number. I know better. I will email a code if a buyer needs it right away and they ask me to but I also ship the code with a tracking. It's called peace of mind. lol

I'm with everyone else here, I think you need to ship the item.

Also, cancelling the sale will give you a "defect" on your account and all it takes is a few of those to have your selling privileges suspended permanently. Depending on the value of the item, it's most likely not worth taking that kind of hit for something that is seemingly pretty trivial.

If this were some type of collectors item and you did that it would be a much different story of course.