Noticed flaw in item I'm selling; auction ends tonight; how to handle?

[beshara]

I am selling a couple of iPads and both auctions end tonight. One has a tiny nick on the screen and I disclosed that in the auction description. I thought the other had no scratches on the screen, but I just noticed the faintest small scratch. It is so faint you almost can't see it, and indeed you have to turn the screen off and hold it under the light just so to even make it out. Many probably would not even notice it; I missed it completely when listing the item.

The auction is still going on and I don't know how to handle this. I wish I could end it and relist the item with the faint scratch mentioned in the description, but I think it's too late for that. Should I edit the description to disclose the scratch? What if someone has bid but doesn't notice my edited description? Or should I just let the auction end and then notify the winning bidder and give them the option of canceling the auction or receiving a discount? Thanks for any advice.

[andow_6171]

If the auction has more than 12 hours to go you can cancel all the bids and relist it

[lewisburggold]

We would add to the listing that you noticed some damage.  Once its within 12 hours of ending i think they wont let you do anything to listing but there is a spot were you can update.  Best regards

[stuff4divas]

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@beshara wrote:

I am selling a couple of iPads and both auctions end tonight. One has a tiny nick on the screen and I disclosed that in the auction description. I thought the other had no scratches on the screen, but I just noticed the faintest small scratch. It is so faint you almost can't see it, and indeed you have to turn the screen off and hold it under the light just so to even make it out. Many probably would not even notice it; I missed it completely when listing the item.

The auction is still going on and I don't know how to handle this. I wish I could end it and relist the item with the faint scratch mentioned in the description, but I think it's too late for that. Should I edit the description to disclose the scratch? What if someone has bid but doesn't notice my edited description? Or should I just let the auction end and then notify the winning bidder and give them the option of canceling the auction or receiving a discount? Thanks for any advice.

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You can add more info, it'll show on the bottom of the listing in a separate box stating that the seller added more info. But I am not sure of the timeline.

[d-k_treasures]

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@stuff4divas wrote:

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@beshara wrote:

I am selling a couple of iPads and both auctions end tonight. One has a tiny nick on the screen and I disclosed that in the auction description. I thought the other had no scratches on the screen, but I just noticed the faintest small scratch. It is so faint you almost can't see it, and indeed you have to turn the screen off and hold it under the light just so to even make it out. Many probably would not even notice it; I missed it completely when listing the item.

The auction is still going on and I don't know how to handle this. I wish I could end it and relist the item with the faint scratch mentioned in the description, but I think it's too late for that. Should I edit the description to disclose the scratch? What if someone has bid but doesn't notice my edited description? Or should I just let the auction end and then notify the winning bidder and give them the option of canceling the auction or receiving a discount? Thanks for any advice.

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You can add more info, it'll show on the bottom of the listing in a separate box stating that the seller added more info. But I am not sure of the timeline.

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Up until the last 12 hours. If it's less than 12 hours until the end of the auction, you can't add anything - not even an answered question will post.

[thatsallfolks]

And the OP just missed the 12-hour cutoff.

[beshara]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Since I missed the 12-hour cutoff, should I message the last few high bidders individually to let them know? I guess I could but someone will still win the item and I guess I'll have to give them the option of a discount or canceling.

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

You can let the auction run, and then negotiate with the winner.  Or you could still cancel the individual bids, hoping that nobody snipes and wins it at the opening bid price.  With an opening bid of $9.99, I'd go with the first option.

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?CancelBidShow

I wouldn't bother notifying the current bidders.

[beshara]

Thanks

[inhawaii]

How about let the auction run.  Notify the winning bidder of the damage. Negotiate a lower price -or- offer a full refund and cancel the transaction. Seems perfectly fair to me. 

[jonathankirkland]

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@inhawaii wrote:

How about let the auction run.  Notify the winning bidder of the damage. Negotiate a lower price -or- offer a full refund and cancel the transaction. Seems perfectly fair to me. 

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This is how I'd handle it.

Be curious to know how it ends up for you OP. I hope whoever wins it is someone reasonable!

[beshara]

It did end up fine. I let the auction run and the buyer was very understanding. I offered a discount and they accepted and were pleased with my honesty. 

[nowthatsjustducky]

Chances are, the buyer would not have ever noticed it either, and would have been happy with his purchase all the same.  If you are selling used items, there will always be some sort of wear, no matter how miniscule and unnoticeable unless going over it with a fine toothed comb or an electron microscope.

And remember, most mass produced stuff like iPods for example are not expected to be fine collectibles where every teeny tiny insignificant mark needs addressed.

[ymeagainlord]

Ha! I've seen the younger ones at work go into total freak out because their new phone CASE got a mark (let alone the phone itself).