Wrong Item Shipped - How do I prove that I re-shipped the correct item?

[bliss_collectibles]

Would love any feedback on what to do here. I had two similar looking items, sent the wrong one, and realized it hours later.

The buyer seems understanding and is awaiting my instructions. Just trying to figure out:

1) How do I pay their shipping label
2) How do I prove to eBay that I shipped the new one
3) And of course where possible, protect myself that they will ship the old one back...

Thanks!

[kensgiftshop]

Did the buyer file an INAD?

[simba6]

To stay within eBay rules, the buyer files an item not as described case.  Then you can issue a paid return label. Buyer gets a full refund when it's returned.   The buyer then purchases it again.

[mtgraves7984]

1) How do I pay their shipping label
2) How do I prove to eBay that I shipped the new one

@bliss_collectibles 

Go to the Order and use the drop down menu to 'Purchase another label'. Use it, and these ^^^ two questions are answered. Regarding question #3, there's no "protection" that the buyer will ship the missent item back.

FWIW... were it me, I'd ask that they open a Return (when it's delivered) and relist for them to repurchase now. Good luck.

[robbie31415]

The proper way to do it is to have them open a return send and rebuy the correct item.

That is the only way to make sure you maintain protections and get your item back.

You can do swaps on the backend but it's less protected and you take a risk not getting stuff back.

[buyselljack2016]

@bliss_collectibles 

Not textbook, but what I did.........  not a big money item.........  was to buy another label right there on eBay to ship the correct item and told the buyer to just refuse the 1st one. Came back to be without additional postage.

The buyer, if concerned that they may not get the item they ordered, can actually hold the 1st item while awaiting the 2nd. As long as they do not open the 1st one it can be refused after they are happy with the second and no postage would be needed as long as they did not open it.

They have 30 days from delivery to open a return if there is a problem.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Mistakes happen. That’s a reality we all face. But my take on this is different from some of the other respondents. If i make a mistake, that’s totally on me to fix it.

At this stage, i would not require the buyer to do anything. In fact, my only concern would be making this right with as little inconvenience to the customer as possible. I will worry about getting the other item back after i have done my due diligence.

The fix—i’d  send out the correct item immediately, at my expense, using overnight shipping if warranted. Then message the buyer with the new tracking number and new ETA, all the while offering abject apologies and reassurance he will receive his purchase asap . Once all this is done, then i’d address getting my item back.

After discussion with the buyer,  i’d either purchase a mailing label online (and email or snail-mail it to the buyer), or ask them to refuse the first package when it arrives.

 If i lose the item, that would not be the buyer’s responsibility or fault. It’s mine for failing to adequately complete my selling obligations in the first place.

[robbie31415]

Yes for low value.

But I'm curious if it was high value would you still do your suggestion?

Would you eat 1,000s of dollars ?

Since this person is even asking this question I still think they should do the textbook/proper method.

[inhawaii]

If you printed another shipping label through ebay, BOTH tracking numbers will appear on the transaction for you and the buyer to see.

It won't prove that you re-sent the "correct" item, but it will show you re-sent something.

[12345jamesstamps]

As a 'real person still selling here on eBay' answering your question...it's your mistake...turn the situation around as you a buyer who never shipped an item before. How would you feel?

You can send a return label to the buyer(s)...and hope for a return...a positive feedback...probably not.

But it's your mistake and we sellers sometimes have to eat our mistakes.

I wish it was a perfect world 🌎 with nice buyers...but it's not always the case.

I would send the correct item out ASAP to the buyer...and hoping for a return of incorrect item...but not always.

The buyer missing the item refund ASAP...and a friendly email to the situation.

This could create 2 nasty feedbacks from 2 buyers if you do sit on it...

What would I do or have done...both get refunds with an email ASAP.

Hoping for return item(s)...usually don't

And I ASAP send freebies out to both buyers.

The loss of revenue is heavy and I have been there.

But it's my mistake and not a buyer(s).

And my feedback(s) is still important to me...I have to look at that feedback every day for a year  when I wake up in the morning drinking coffee and answering emails pertending to eBay.

As far as answers to questions 1...2...3 for me as a seller it's my mistake and I have to eat it.

Maybe others here will give some better suggestions ...just my 2 cents here.

Good Luck.

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@robbie31415 wrote:

Yes for low value.

But I'm curious if it was high value would you still do your suggestion?

Would you eat 1,000s of dollars ?

Since this person is even asking this question I still think they should do the textbook/proper method.

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Hi, @robbie31415 . A fair question.

The answer is that the philosophy that governs my decisions and actions as an eBay seller are the same regardless of the value of the item in question. So if i make an expensive mistake, i still do not expect my buyer to be accountable for it. (Once have had to put my money where my mouth is for an $800 item.)

But as a cautious seller, there is a method to this “madness.”

Over the last 15 years, have built up a robust “cookie-jar” fund as self-insurance, to cover possible refunds, cases, mistakes or unexpected expenses. A small sum is set aside from each sale for it.

It doesn’t do much good to have a philosophy if one doesn’t have the means to support it.

[reallynicestamps]

Don't ship the right one.

Just send the return shipping label and when you get it back, refund.

EBay has a MONEY Back Guarantee.

Not a Replacement Guarantee.

Once everything in back where it was, the buyer can repurchase if they are still interested.

It would be good customer service to pay the shipping on the new purchase.

You will be losing money on this no matter what.

Don't compound that loss with the potential for bad feedback, Defects, or a customer who gets two items, including one they didn't order, and can't believe their luck.