Two Defects for One Transaction??

[auctionworks1]

Someone help me understand this...

I listed an item for $17 when I meant to list it for $77.  It was a simple, careless mistake.  I realized it just a few minutes after the listing, but just before I could end it, someone bought it.  I knew that I was going to receive a transaction defect for canceling the transaction but decided I'd rather take the defect than lose $60.  So, I immediately messaged the buyer, explained my mistake and apologized, but told him that I would have to cancel the sale.  I was very polite and professional.  

I received the expected defect from eBay for canceling, but then I also received a late shipment defect because the buyer complained the the item was late!  My question is, how can I receive a defect for late shipment on an item that was never shipped in the first place?  I could see a complaint and defect for NO shipment, but then that would be redundant as I've already gotten a defect for canceling the transaction, which is essentially non-shipment.

Doesn't this make sense??  So, I've receive 2 defects for virtually the same exact issue!  Has this ever happened to anyone else?

[chapeau-noir]

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@auctionworks1 wrote:

Just for the record, I'm not overly concerned with this issue as my transaction defect rate is 0.21% and my late shipment rate is 0.83%.  This is my first canceled transaction in over 20 years of selling.  

I did forget to mention the buyer also left a neutral feedback for me, I believe that's when he reported the "late shipment".  So basically, I make one minor human error (a typo), catch the mistake within minutes and try to rectify it, but I'm too late, immediately contact the buyer, give him an explanation and a very kind apology, cancel the transaction to keep from losing $60 and for that I get 3 dings: transaction defect, mark against my shipment rate and a neutral feedback.  

Maybe some of you think this is just fine, but I think it is totally inequitable.  The punishment doesn't seem to fit the crime in this case.  Personally, not only do I think he should not have been allowed to state I didn't ship it on time, but I also feel he should not have been allowed to leave feedback.  If a seller must receive the HARSH punishment of the transaction defect for canceling, that should be it - end of story.  I know, it's eBay's ballgame and they get to make all the rules.  This one stinks though.

BTW, do these strikes remain on my account for one year then they will be removed?

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eBay goes by policy and that's it - there's no mitigation for intention, record, feelings, or anything else.   Human error and apologies don't matter - it's just plain policy.  You made the choice between $60 and a major defect.  Given your record you can get away with it and carry on - I've gotten OOS defects once in a while, sometimes not even my fault (eBay's ghost listings), it can happen to anyone, but these are the consequences - deserved or not.

Neutral feedback won't do anything to your metrics. The shipping thing is weird and I still wonder about it - they may just close because a cancellation is a cancellation. TBH, I would just carry on. Depending on how much you sell in a quarter, your look-back will be 3 months (if you have 400 transactions) or a year (for 399 or less) - I know, it's a crude system.

[auctionworks1]

red3rose,

What a piece of work you must be.

I get it. I messed up. My fault - no one else. Poor pitiful dude that had to suffer through some disappointment for about 10 seconds when I canceled his purchase of an $80 item that he got a steal on for $17 - surely he didn't deserve such treatment.  Of course, he has every right to retaliate by lowering my shipment rating and marring my feedback - obviously eBay allows it. 

I admitted fault from the beginning. I was willing to accept the consequence of the transaction defect as a result of my error.  But, it is my opinion that taking it further is a little much. Allowing a miffed buyer to leave feedback and rate shipping time on top of giving the seller a defect seems one-sided in favor of the buyer - like most of eBay's policies.  

Point here is, you may be correct in some of your assessments of this situation, but you could sure use some lessons in your delivery!

Of course it was an accident; they don’t call it an “on purpose”

And... we are all human, we make mistakes.  Punish me for my carelessness by giving me the transaction defect. That's fair, but then, stop!  You don't have to hang me.  In my opinion the punishment didn't fit the crime in this case!

sloppy business mistake

Hateful comment!

you blew it 

Again, another hateful comment!

What makes you think that gives you a pass? 

If you were referring to the fact that I think my making a mistake should give me a pass... I don't!!

“Sorry” doesn’t always cut it (except for toddlers).

Never said it did. Was letting it be known that I was professional and kind to the buyer.  Realized he would be disappointed and let him know how sorry I was but I couldn't afford that kind of loss. NOT behaving like a toddler at all!

My intentions in coming on this board were merely to share my experience, state my opinion, and see what others thought.  Honestly, I have learned a few things from some of the comments, and that's good.  Problem is, you have been unkind and berating.  Go back and re-read the red words only.  Not very nice and totally uncalled for.

Take a lesson from chapeau-noir.  He/she stated much of the same things you tried to convey, but in a much kinder way.  Then again, maybe kindness just isn't your thing. Could be you enjoying being mean to strangers who've done nothing to you.  If that's the case, I'm sorry.

[fern*wood]

When you ran the report on your late shipment ding, did it actually show the cancelled item or could it have been for the second item they bought?  Did you get feedback?

Regardless, I wouldn't worry too much about the shipping ding since you aren't on the verge of being down graded by it.  The out of stock defect is also quite survivable if you don't run into others before it drops off.   I have one myself that will roll off in May.  They can be very harmful if several mistakes happen within your evaluation period.

[auctionworks1]

Yes, he did leave a neutral feedback.  You're right, I'm not too worried about these strikes.  I'm an honest, hard-working seller, and this was a first in a long history with eBay.  I will be more careful in the future.  Just thought that eBay's allowance of basically three strikes for the price of one was particularly harsh.  I don't get to make the rules or influence the policies though. 😕

[chapeau-noir]

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@auctionworks1 wrote:

Yes, he did leave a neutral feedback.  You're right, I'm not too worried about these strikes.  I'm an honest, hard-working seller, and this was a first in a long history with eBay.  I will be more careful in the future.  Just thought that eBay's allowance of basically three strikes for the price of one was particularly harsh.  I don't get to make the rules or influence the policies though. 😕

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@auctionworks1  They really do bang you over the head on the OOS defects - but I've had a couple (once was lost inventory, once was a 'ghost' listing which does happen from time to time) and before this drop due to the epidemic my sales still ticked along.  I see eBay's side of things - it's bad publicity for the site even if just about every other site also does cancellations - but at least one gets a couple of 'byes' on this.  I've never seen the second shipping defect, though (I've only had a couple of OOS, but I have had buyers ask to cancel a number of times - in neither case did I get that weird defect). 

[this*old*attic]

@auctionworks1 

WHO’S the piece of work? LOL.

[this*old*attic]

@chapeau-noir 

True, one OOS just isn’t a biggie. I had one for a year when I found a big run at the hem of a DVF nightie. Bummer, it was NOS.

My sales ticked along, too.

Annoys the heck out of the buyer, though, and I frankly get it. I’ve been on the other side myself a few times.

Crummy, irritating experience and predictably bad for the overall reputation of the sight. I doubt any of my sellers would have starved or lost their homes over the small amounts they goofed/changed their minds regarding.

Business entails loss; a certain amount is expected and tolerated by people who get the big picture.

Still stings, though. No one claims it’s painless.