"I thought I was buying the last one."

[inhawaii]

A customer buys an item from me. The listing shows he was buying the last one.
After the sale, I realized I have more in stock and raised the quantity. 
Then I get a message from the customer saying "I thought I was buying the last one?".
I can't really tell by his email if he is upset or just asking.
Is a customer justified getting upset because he thought he was buying thee last one ... but wasn't? 

Do you even respond to the customer?
Do you explain the the customer what happened?
Do you ask the customer if he wants to cancel the order?

[sakic92710]

I would tell the buyer I located more that I did not realize I had.  Unless they thought they were buying the last one available in the entire world, they have nothing to gripe about.   lol

[sakic92710]

Maybe they want more than one?

[gosimus]

@inhawaii 

< Do you even respond to the customer? >     

I would.  You can't assume your buyer is upset.  Neither can you assume he wants the rest of them.  You have to ask to find out.  Being courteous – besides being the right thing to do – might gain you some additional sales.  What would being discourteous gain you?    

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi! I would not mention cancelling the sale without a little more information. I would respond.

Normally I would not offer explanations of my actions, but in this case i would because it could reflect on one’s character as an honest seller. It’s possible they just want to be reassured about your veracity. So, a short explanation like:

“Dear Buyer,

Always happy to address my customer’s inquiries, and appreciate this opportunity to clarify. Was surprised to find i wasn't out of stock on this item, as i previously thought, and so have listed the remainder.

If i can be of further service, please let me know.
Sincerely, Your Seller.”

[chapeau-noir]

Just tell him you found more stock and ask if he wants more - you can set something up for him.

[mam98031]

I put low quantities on many of my items because buyers don't tend to take forever to decide if they are going to buy it or not.  But I usually have more of them and add them to the listing as things sale.  I can't say I've ever gotten an email like this from any buyer before.  And I'd likely be very casual with them and explained I found I had more inventory and leave it at that.  Or hopefully leave it at that.

[mam98031]

---

@sakic92710 wrote:

Maybe they want more than one?

---

That is a really good point.  Now that I do get emails on sometimes and I do let them know how many more I have in stock.  This usually comes from someone that has purchased 2 or 3 same items from me.  When I see that I let them know via email that have have a few more even if they don't email me to ask.  I've gotten some pretty terrific sales this way over the years.

[gamersbaystore]

I often have multiples copies of a single game, movie, music CD, etc, and I only list one at a time. I have had buyers whine about having more inventory, which is none of their business to begin with.

I respond by letting them know I am a media dealer, and I often purchase my product in bulk. If they don't like that, that's their problem, not mine.

Putting up multi-quantity listings for the same item deters buyers from purchasing as they often think, well there's 20 copies, I will just wait. There's no sense of urgency, that's part of the reason I don't do it.

The other reason I don't list in multiples is because there's often differences in versions, condition, etc; such is often the case with games. One copy may be mint, while another has light scratches, or yet another is a different version entirely.

I see no reason to cancel the sale. Whether the buyer is unhappy about it or not is their problem, not yours.

Its kind of like the buyers who purchase something from me and then play 20 questions after receiving their item; like demanding receipts, or trying to negotiate the price after the sale. I tell them its none of their business who my suppliers are, and that I'm not negotiating anything with them.

[natoman777]

My guess is that they would have purchased more if they knew there was more stock.  I would just tell them you found more.  Many buyers assume that all sellers are like Amazon or something and have a warehouse.  I have had people over the years purchase a vintage shirt, it is too small or big...they say, I need to return, please send me (let's say a Large).  I have to explain, I only had one, sorry. 

If in your situation they are upset, kinda weird.... but their are a lot of strange situations these days with buyers.

[toysaver]

Explain how inventory recycles and changes all the time.  Apologize and offer a nominal shipping discount if the buy more.

[luxgoods]

NO

[policequilts]

I had this happen to me when I was making  purchases.

It would show the last one and I purchase it  ( I really wanted a couple more ). 
I have it on my watch list and when I see it on my watch list, it is still has one available and "the last one" and yes, I can go and place it in my cart with no problem.    I have found this on several things that I would like more than one but only purchased the "last one".

I just recently had this happen :
On my watch list was an item that I wanted multiples, but only had "the last one".
For some reason, it now showed only 2 left.  I did purchase them.
Once again, it shows on my watch list with only 2 left.   Hmmmm  Interesting

[chickadee8618]

The buyer made have prioritized your purchase over other items because he thought you had the last one in stock. Maybe they didn't want to get it that day and wanted to wait or save money for it. Or maybe buyer wanted to get something more important to them first but they saw you only had 1 and didnt  want to lose the chance to grab it.  I get duped by amazon like this all the time.....buying something because it says "Only 1 left in stock, order soon" only to come back an hour later and see 15 more in stock. Its frustrating but it could only be because of a time issue like I mentioned. 

[kergip78]

I am a buyer and when I'm buying jewelry I am interested in the last one because I am hoping to see if my stone is going to look like what I am seeing on the listing. I have found it better to just request to see the actual item I will be receiving instead.