Return/Exchange

[thejoycollection]

I send the wrong item to my buyer.  He notified me, and we identified the one he actually bought and paid for and I immediately send the correct one, asking him to return the wrong one.  I agreed to reimburse him for the price of return shipping.  He said ok.  That was almost 6 weeks ago.  I have not received the item.

I have contacted him 4 times in a polite manner, regarding sending it.  I was trying not to antagonize him, since I need his cooperation. Excuses and apologies from him, but no action so far.  I am new and this is my very first return/mistake.  

 I appreciate any advice.  Reading other return posts, I have learned that the next time this happens, I will wait for the return before sending an item.  I really have no leverage here. What do you suggest I do next? 

[aproudparent2010]

When I mistakenly send an item I just let them keep it and I either send the correct one or give them a refund.

I don't think I have ever asked them to return my mistake.

[klhmdg]

Next time you make a mistake either refund the buyer and let them keep the item OR

Ask them to start a return request and you approve and supply a return label. . You then refund once you receive the item back.

Stop contacting the buyer on this one.

You made a mistake and hopefully it is not too big of a loss. 

You compounded the financial loss by not following the return policy.

[pickapaper]

You've already answered your own question and found out what to do next time.  

As far as this time, there is really nothing you can do.  Since you have already sent the buyer the correct item, he is under no obligation to return the wrong item.  Just chalk it up to a learned lesson and move on.  Hopefully, it was not an expensive item.

[chevymontecarlo88]

If you wanted the item back you should of had them initiate a return (which you would be paying for the label anyways). You could of relisted the item immediately for sale or waited until the other was returned. Obviously it was a mistake and sounded like the buyer was on board with sending it back. Sometimes life happens and things that sound easy are more complicated once having to deal with them.

Many buyers are not like sellers where they have the ability to easily buy and print shipping labels from home. They could of thought no problem, i will help them out until they realized the time it takes to go to the post office to deal with sending it back.

At this point you can try to keep in touch hoping they will eventually send it back but you do not have any leverage as you noted in your post. Sorry it happened.

[kensgiftshop]

---

@thejoycollection wrote:

 What do you suggest I do next? 

---

Nothing, but learn from this mistake so it doesn't happen again.

[ca42388]

I feel we need to also look at the value of the loss. I don't sell high dollar stuff but many sellers do.  I do like you mentioned because sometimes it would cost me more if I don't. 

[thejoycollection]

Good advice.   He's apparently keeping them anyway.  

[thejoycollection]

Thanks for spelling out the procedure.  Still learning how to be a seller on Ebay.  I appreciate the info. 

[thejoycollection]

Thanks for answering my question.  I'm sure you are right.  Sometimes we learn the hard way.  Cost me  $40.  Could be worse, I guess, but still feels a little disheartening.  

[thejoycollection]

Yes, that makes sense.  Thanks for your kind words.  

[thejoycollection]

Yes, I will.  Thanks.  Have a great day.

[thejoycollection]

I guess I just need to grow thicker skin and lower my expectations.  Not high end, but still disheartening to send two pants for the price of one ($30).  I understand it was my mistake.  I was just hoping he'd come through for me and I could resell the returned pair on Ebay.  I would send him a shipping label, prepaid, if I thought he would use it.  

Thanks for the perspective.

[thejoycollection]

Oh, and I forgot to thank you for the perspective of looking at it from his side.  I know I never liked going to the post office myself.   I would send him a shipping label, prepaid, if I thought he would use it.  But, I think I've waited to long, and I'd just be out more money.  Moving on.

Thanks for your response.

[ethylsgarage]

I always send a prepaid return shipping label and a return shipping bag with the replacement item. This makes it easy for the customer. That way all they have to do is put the return item in the bag and seal it and give it to their postal carrier. So far, the mis-shipped item has always come back.