Need your advice on an Item sold with incorrect Title and Description

[avirtualseller]

yesterday, someone purchased an item that was incorrectly described as " '70 Plymouth GTX" instead of  " '71 Plymouth GTX" (i.e. 1970 instead of 1971).  Following the sale, I sent two messages to the buyer regarding this issue but have not received a reply yet.  The description of the item also incorrectly mentions the wrong year, but it also says that "This sale is for the model kit pictured:  '70 Plymouth GTX", implying (i believe) that what is pictured is what will be shipped.  As a side note, the buyer is new with zero feedback.  Should I ship the item, or cancel the transaction, re-list it with the proper title and description, and send a message to the buyer letting him know that he can purchase the item again if they would like to?  I'm also afraid that I will receive negative feedback, but, maybe, that is what one deserves for making a mistake.

the listing can be found here:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/364654504405

[bashort]

---

@soh.maryl wrote:

Even though we don't  know for sure what the buyer really expected to receive? 

---

Yes, when they get it then you will know for sure. Canceling gets you a definite transaction defect for being out of stock, shipping gets you the possibility of having a SNAD return which is a much less serious metric hit,  

[sin-n-dex]

---

@bashort wrote:

I would ship it if it were me. 

---

I would too. I'd say "If I don't hear back from you regarding cancellation on this ### item, I'm going to go ahead and ship on this date".

Then if I take a hit it will be for a SNAD return or partial refund, or something else... much less damaging than the OOS defect.

I'd also often give a partial refund anyway "because I messed up".

C.

[zobal99]

Out of stock is a no no and will be held against you as a defect.

Better to use Issue with buyers address

Correct your listing 

[gone.c-33]

---

@zobal99 wrote:

Out of stock is a no no and will be held against you as a defect.

Better to use Issue with buyers address

Correct your listing 

---

Seller has no justification to use the Issue with buyer’s address reason to cancel.

[sakic92710]

Personally, I would not be concerned about it.  The photo clearly shows the year & make of the model.  The buyer wants that particular car.  Even if he didn't notice the year, I would feel positive this is what he was looking for.  If it concerns you that much & he isn't replying, I doubt he would reply to a cancellation notice so I would put it as buyer's request.  Send a message it was relisted with the proper year & he is free to buy it again.  Hope it works out for you.

[soh.maryl]

So it's better to lie in order not to get an OOS defect?

The OP seller has admitted his error here.  The error will not be corrected by using the wrong reason for cancellation.  

[soh.maryl]

You would cancel using a bogus reason (buyer's request) for the cancellation? Really? 

[lux.ra_14]

The '71 GTX had an entirely new body design. No car guy would mistake it for the 1970 model. 

From the listing pic, I'm sure the buyer knows what he was buying. Canceling could make the situation worse.  I would ship and maybe include a note offering a full refund and free return shipping if the buyer was unhappy.

I realize there's the possibility that the buyer noted the listing discrepancy and is angling for a free item with no return. But let's assume goodwill by both buyer and seller. It was an honest mistake, and the buyer could be reasonable.

[sakic92710]

What are you supposed to do when the choices are out of stock or damaged; buyer's request & problem with address.  How much more limited can the options be?!  Selecting any of the 3 is false.

[lux.ra_14]

Looks like the item has been relisted, unless the seller had another one.

Maybe he will return with the rest of the story 

...

[lvr-3929]

I would have called the buyer.  A week or so back I had someone buy two of the same thing on a variation listing with two variations offered.  I thought it was strange he bought two of the same instead of one of each, so I called them.  Sure enough they wanted one of each, but couldn't figure out how to do it even though I include instructions in the listing.  (the problems people have with variation listings are a rant for another post).  

So I shipped them one of each and corrected the inventory manually.  

I looked at this listing and it's pretty clear you get the 71 kit, I am a little surprised it sold for that much given how common it is and there's a current release of the same kit that retails for $33.  I would guess as long as buyer gets what's in the pictures you'd be fine.  

[luckythewinner]

---

@sakic92710 wrote:

What are you supposed to do when the choices are out of stock or damaged; buyer's request & problem with address.  How much more limited can the options be?!  Selecting any of the 3 is false.

---

The OP listed a '70 GTX model but the OP not have a '70 GTX model available to ship.

If the OP does not have a '70 GTX model available to ship, the OP is out of stock.

[bennotbill]

Chances are the buyer is your average eBay buyer. One who just looks at pictures and doesn't read descriptions.

So they'll be expecting a '71

[soh.maryl]

Isn't that why it's important that the seller contact that buyer before shipping and ask what he would prefer the seller do?  

[soh.maryl]

You relisted it? What's you plan when/if that original buyer contacts you and says, "Yes, I still want it"?

And, BTW, on eBay there is no such thing as "As is -- no returns accepted".