Sold item in unsold list - example included

[arteis]

Hi,

This is happening time to time and more and more often (I had to do a complete inventory to month ago), I sell an item and it end up in the unsold list.

But today I have an example with an item that I only had one copies for sale so it make the problem clearer.

This post is showing in my unsold:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOSI-1705-FRONT-ARM-BUSHING-8T-2-0-LOSA1705-NIP-/272587212762?ssPageName=STR...

And this post is showing being sold:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272563988342?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649

I'v only posted this item once, on February 21, got sold on March 11th, paid on march 12th and somehow got relisted under a different item number on March 12th.

It mean after being sold the item ended up in the unsold list and got posted (under a different item number ?!?!) once I relisted my whole unsold list.

It would be so bad if being "out of stock" wouldn't be so hurtful.

I could "pretend" that the item was shipped and refund the buyer once he request a refund for "item not received", that's what the system encourage me to do, but I find that is not fair for the buyer who has to wait an extra 2 weeks before knowing that he won't have his item.

Right now I'm offering the buyer money (refund plus a bonus) to let me cancel the order as "request by the buyer" but usually the buyer never answer.

I try to be as perfect as possible but I often feel like the system is working against me.

Thanks for your help,

Keven Noel

[747cable]

This happened to an extremely competent and long time eBay seller friend of mine.  She had the item drop shipped from another eBay seller, and explained to her customer what happened.  Maybe this is an option for you.  Best!

[ymeagainlord]

Only problem with that solution is, you avoid an OOS defect but get a ding for tracking never uploaded plus having to trust the other seller knows how to pack and ship in a timely fashion AND has described their item accurately.

OR get another seller to ship it to you so you can inspect it before sending it off to your buyer and you still get a late shipping ding.

Can't win here unless you're "perfect" (you know - like eBay is)

[ymeagainlord]

@arteis OP, are you by chance using the Seller Hub?

[arteis]

I'm in Canada where tracking number are un-afordable ($12 within Canada, $17 to US and $35 international) so Ebay is not taking the tracking as a metric for Canadian Seller (I would have to quit if they wouldn't!). 

I only have that problem for Radio Control parts that I have multiple copies of and everytime I had this problem (4 time) it was for an item that no other copie were available on Ebay so I never had the chance to use the "third party" strategy.

Thanks for your help though,

Keven Noel

[arteis]

Yes I do for the item posted on Ebay.com

It is true that I only have that problem on the item posted on Ebay.Com and never on the item posted on Ebay.ca

This is still happening, each time I see 1 or 2 item alone in the unsold list (I usually post/re-post large amount of item at once) I check and the item is already posted.

it happen 3-4 time per month for 1-2 item.

These are the one I caught, god knows if I have duplicate posting (I do change my price often) within the 2300 listing I have. I did a complete inventory check but I can't do that weekly as it take over 12 hours to do.

It feel like I have Damocles sword on top of my head.

[bubbleman2010 · Accepted solution]

You have 13 duplicate listings running right now. You need to use http://www.isdntek.com/ebaytools/DuplicateListings.htm and get them cleaned out...

[bubbleman2010]

Depending on how many defects you have depends on how you handle the sale of a item you know longer have. Out of stock gets you a defect,but there are work arounds to use that avoid getting a defect...

[bubbleman2010]

Some of your dups are two different items,but the only thing different is the price. Use A-B-C at the end of your title  when you have almost like items keeps the ebay bots from culling you when they go dup hunting...

[arteis]

I do not have "real" duplicate, the pictures are actual pictures showing the different shape of the item.

I do have a really good control over my inventory using Excell.

I have that problem with unique item as well.

Here a recent one that I have to deal with tonight:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RARE-THUNDER-TIGER-0006-DRIVE-WASHER-SET-PRO-61-PRO61-PN0006-NIP-/27...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RARE-THUNDER-TIGER-0006-DRIVE-WASHER-SET-PRO-61-PRO61-PN0006-NIP-/27...

Same item re-listed in May 21, no duplicate, it's simply a SOLD item listed in my UNSOLD list that got relisted.

Let's say I put a A in the title, I could end up selling  the item with the A in the title twice because it could end up in the unsold list after being sold. It doesn't help for the issues caused by the system.

It seems clear to me now that Ebay is not suitable for selling a large amount of different items as the automated system cannot be trusted. I could live with the error if the system would not hurt me with a defect, causes by the system itself, on top of it.

Thanks for trying to help,

Keven Noel

[arteis]

This doesn't prevent duplicate to happen but it will help to detect them.

I'll run this after each re-listing, that should take care of the problem.

Thanks!