Slight color mistake in sold listing - should I cancel if they buyer doesn't reply?

[stuff_from_dylan]

I sold a belt as brown, but when I took a second look under better lighting it actually has a bit of a purple tint to the brown and is actually burgundy. If the buyer doesn't reply to my message, I'm assuming I should just cancel to avoid a SNAD and just relist it with the correct color? Thanks!

[18704d]

What 'reason' that eBay gives you, as a choice, would you use?

"Out of Stock" is one of the most deadliest ones...

I'd await his answer.. and come back in a day or two if needed...

Lynn

[stuff_from_dylan]

Whichever one fits the best -- not "out of stock" as it's in stock.

[tellmemama]

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@stuff_from_dylan wrote:

Whichever one fits the best -- not "out of stock" as it's in stock.

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Um...  the "brown" belt is in fact out of stock.  

[scstool · Accepted solution]

In situations like this I have picked up the phone and called the buyer. So far they have all be very appreciative of the call and liked the customer service. I know there are people who would be annoyed by a phone call but maybe because of the type items I sell (industrial hardware) this technique has never back fired on me. For a clothing item I am not sure.

You have to weigh the benefits of possibly annoying your customer versus a serious defect. You could ship the belt, refund if they don't like it and maybe risk a negative. A negative is not very serious by itself while an Out of Stock cancellation is and counts as a defect.

[stuff_from_dylan]

@scstool Where have you gotten their phone number from? I'll do that! Thanks!

[scstool]

select all listings in seller hub, under your listing use the actions button to find “sales record”. Their phone number should be shown.

[aldente28]

I would. After explaining the error to the buyer in a message, I would say something like "if I don't hear back from you in X days I will assume you are no longer interested in this item and I will cancel the sale and issue a refund. If you are interested, please either (a) respond before X date or (b) feel free to place another order at any time." If it was an auction, let them know you will sell it to them for the same price as before.

And also make sure X days is within your handling time. If you have a long handling time, all the better, but whatever the case, don't let it go unshipped past your ship by date.

I have done this before with issues or errors. It's never led to a problem. This sounds like something a reasonable buyer will understand.

[stuff_from_dylan]

Thanks so much for posting! I called the buyer and they said it's fine. Thank you!