kristie
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posted on October 4, 2000 09:57:24 PM new
Well, it finally happened. My worst ebay nightmare. I sent one customer's item to another customer. What a mess! I contacted the second customer by phone and she was very understanding. I've not been able to reach the first customer. The problem is I don't want to ask the second customer to send the first customer's item back to me. (I don't want to inconvenience her any more than she
already has been). Has this ever happened to
any of you?
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smw
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posted on October 4, 2000 10:09:59 PM new
Yup, last year. When I figured out what I had done I had knot in my stomach the size of a football.
Not only did I send the wrong item, I sent the right item too. I realized what I had done when I looked for the second item to send to the actual buyer.
I sent a message to the person I sent both items and got a reply saying to the effect:
I like this very much thanks. Would not reply to any messages about sending it back at my expense. I even offered to refund for the first item.
I ended up sending the acutal buyer a similar and much more valuable item at my expense. He was happy too. This mistake ended up costing me a lot of $$.
I am glad you are dealing with an honest person.
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lotsafuzz
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posted on October 4, 2000 10:48:46 PM new
Yep!
Here are the steps to fix it/get over it:
1. Cry (do it now, or you will end up doing it later, most likely in a public place with many talkative witnesses).
2. Contact both buyers apoligizing as though you have run over their dog or slept with their spouse (or vice versa).
3. While waiting for responce from buyers, log onto AW and commiserate with other sellers who have done the exact same thing (believe it or not, you are not the only one!). Alternate: Find thread where seller is in hotter water than you are. Realize it could have been worse.
4. Recieve email from buyers. Hold breath. Cross fingers and toes....if items were one of a kind, cross eyes just in case.
5. Limber up for the back bending you will do to make things right.
6. Do said back bending. NOTE: Although similar this is not the same movement as just bending over for buyer.
7. Cry (You know you skipped right past it at the top of the list....did I not warn you?)
8. Complete back bending movement.
9. Leave feedback that glows so bright your buyers will have to wear shades.
10. Take deep breath.
11. I said take a deep breath! It is rushing along that go you here in the first place.
12. Join 12-step program to confront the issue that you are human and can make mistakes. Swear 10 times you will never do it again.
13. Move on.
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shopchicly
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posted on October 5, 2000 12:15:02 AM new
I did and it ended up being a wonderful experience that helped restore my lagging faith in my fellow man/woman. I contacted
the buyer to whom I had sent the wrong item
along with his correct item. He had bid for and lost the item which I included in his package. (So I was really scared!) He then offered (via e-mail) to
forward it on the the correct person (I
mailed him a check for the postage and added
a little bit more for his inconvenience.) He
replied that it had not been at all necessary. He even told me that he managed to "peel" off my return address label and put it on
the package he forwarded. What a guy!!!!
I'm sure there are horror stories out there,
but this is one for the flip side. (As far as I know the correct buyer never noticed that
his item had got to him by a very circuitous
route.)
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jamesoblivion
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posted on October 5, 2000 12:17:45 AM new
The answer is yes, if that helps. 
Remember, probably 98% of people you'll deal with on ebay are completely reasonable, so there should be no problem working this out.
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outoftheblue
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posted on October 5, 2000 12:24:03 AM new
I haven't done that yet but I have sent one person the same item twice. Told them to keep the second one [I didn't want to pay for shipping twice].
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breathe
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posted on October 5, 2000 03:12:56 AM new
As a new seller on eBay last Christmas I did this. I even had a confirmation from the USPS that the item had been sent to the wrong customer.
However, the customer -who also got the item he ordered- never did reply back to me after numerous attempts to get in touch with him.
Cost me a few $$$.
Then there was the time -and I hate to admit this one- that I thought I had sent the wrong item, had the buyer send it right back to me and oops-it was the right item. Must not have had enough caffeine that day!
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haleigh
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posted on October 5, 2000 03:23:39 AM new
As a matter of fact I did just that this week. Thank goodness I had a very nice
lady at the other end. I mailed her the right one immediately after contacting her & she told me that she had mailed the wrong one back yesterday.
If this had been a difficult person I could have been out a few bucks.
I know it comes from being in too much of a hurry......but, what is life on eBay except hurry!!
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kiki2
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posted on October 5, 2000 04:57:02 AM new
I *almost* did once. I had two similiar children's books and had taken the one to the post office and mailed it. I get home and go over my paperwork and couldnt find the other book. When I DID find it, realized that I mailed the wrong one and was holding the right book. I called the post office and asked if my package was still there and the clerk said yes. He let me come back down and exchange the book with no problems!
I had a bidder mail me a wrong payment once. They had won an auction for an item that was $7 and some change. I got a money order from them for over $25! It had someone elses name on it so I went back in her bid history and looked up the seller. I then e-mailed the bidder and this other seller to relay the problem. The seller and I mailed each other the correct payment and things worked out fine.
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macandjan
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posted on October 5, 2000 05:18:40 AM new
[ edited by macandjan on Dec 4, 2000 06:49 PM ]
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deco100
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posted on October 5, 2000 05:25:36 AM new
Yes, and they notified me that they had received an additional unbid on item. That was relatively easy. I sent her the postage plus a couple extra bucks for her trouble to send it on to the right buyer.That was cheaper and faster than having her return it to me.
Now crossing two really gets sticky but I did the same thing. Sent each the postage plus a little extra to remail it for me. Cut my profit below nothing as they were small items and priority insured but left both customers happy at least.
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sweil
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posted on October 5, 2000 05:29:55 AM new
I have done this before and almost died whenI realized what had happened. I had sold 2 military bayonets. One to a guy in sweden for $225 and one to a guy in the same state as me for $25. My husband boxed them up and labeled one of them but not the other. When I received the money for the $25 one, he handed me a box that said m 1 bayonet and said this was it. Once I got home he informed me he had handed me the wrong one. My local PO refused to let me have the box back so I quickly called the other buyer and explained what happened to him (not saying what was in the box), he sent it back the same day he got it and I sent his out along with the cost of postage for both packages. After that I stopped sealing boxes until I had the money in my hand and had double checked the correct item was in the box.
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debbielennon
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posted on October 5, 2000 05:33:59 AM new
Did it once...
Sent the wrong diecast car to a customer. I realized what I had done the next day & doublechecked my inventory to be sure I wasn't completely losing my mind. I just told the guy to keep it & sent out the correct one. (Fortunately it had not been sold to another bidder & the guy was very happy to have 2 for the price of one! It was really not worth it for me to pay return postage.)
Now I am paranoid & I doublecheck everything before I send it out...
edited because I forgot to hook up my coffee IV...
[ edited by debbielennon on Oct 5, 2000 05:36 AM ]
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jwoodcrafts
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posted on October 5, 2000 05:44:05 AM new
Yes! This happened to me a few months ago. I shipped a book to one buyer who paid with a money order, so it went right.
I had another buyer also win a book. Payments arrived at the same time, except the second buyer sent a check, which I hold for awhile.
The book that I sent right was supposed to got to the second buyer! I didn't even realize it until the first buyer got his book
and emailed me.
It all worked out however. He was really understanding, I sent him postage and he sent the book back, I got the book even before he had time to wait for the postage money. He left really good feedback for me!
Some people have no problems with mistakes. Everyone makes them.
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."---Mark Twain
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toomanycomics
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posted on October 5, 2000 05:50:33 AM new
yeah twice and almost did it once but I managed to catch myself.
one time, I was dealing with trading cards
there were two cards that is supposed to be sent on the same day. In my rush, I accidently pulled the 'Switcheroo' with the envelopes.
days later, I received an email from BOTH of the customers telling me that they received the wrong item.
Luckily, I had duplicates so I informed them that they can keep the cards and I'll send them the correct ones.
all is well
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DWest
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posted on October 5, 2000 06:40:20 AM new
I read your post this morning just before I wrapped something to mail. I guess the suggestion was too much for me because I accidently wrapped the wrong laserdisc. Luckily I discovered my mistake before sealing the package.
I only have one copy of a movie so I don't have replacements. I would have to depend upon the graciousness of my customers to help me straighten out my mistake.
Anyway, I know how bad I'd feel if it actually happened to me. Thankfully most people are understanding.
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borgt
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posted on October 5, 2000 06:50:29 AM new
I sold a video tape and upon packing I discovered the wrong tape was in the sleeve. Yikes! (now i check before i write the auction!).
Luckily it was an easy-to-find tape. I immediately bought one on ebay and had it shipped directly to my customer. I sent her a very apologetic email explaining the situation.
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CleverGirl
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posted on October 5, 2000 07:05:08 AM new
Yep, only mine didn't turn out quite as well as some of the other stories here. Somebody got two packages from me when they should have only gotten one -- and they know it -- and never bothered to let me know. I couldn't figure out who it was. Meanwhile, the 2nd item was listed and closed with a high bidder whom I had to tell I had nothig to send them. She was gracious about it but it made me look (and feel) pretty stupid. And I don't like the feeling I've got about whoever that other buyer with the free twofer was. Good thing I don't know who it was, probably. I'm more careful now, but I do realize that mistakes like this can happen all too easily.
I once got a 2nd package from a Seller and notified her as soon as I could track down who the heck it was. She sent me postage plus a couple of bucks to send it on to the right person, which I was happy to do.
And I've got a doodad sitting here that arrived a day or two ago that doesn't look like something I bought -- have to track that one down too.
I suppose one lesson is that we should all be sure to include information IN our packages tht lets folks know how to get in touch with us. I include a copy of the EOA notice I send. Sometimes all I get is return address on a box.
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anothertreasure
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posted on October 5, 2000 07:07:06 AM new
Yup, and ditto to all the reactions. Also had my faith restored in the human race. Sent the wrong and the right item to the same bidder - cross country, Priority Mail. I notified both buyers and apologized and offered any method to rectify the situation. The buyer who received both items simply refused receipt of the wrong item (I described the packaging) and it was returned to me by the USPS for no extra postage charges. All went well, two positive feedbacks.
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labbie1
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posted on October 5, 2000 08:08:19 AM new
Yep twice.
Fortunately, they were items that I had multiples of and I just sent out the correct one and let them keep the first one. Happy customers.
<knocking furiously on wood here! >
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yisgood
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posted on October 5, 2000 08:12:41 AM new
Some once paid for CDRs and I sent him CDRWs which are more expensive. When he complained, I told him that he had the choice of keeping the cdrws at no extra charge and sending me another payment for the cdrs, or sending them back at my expense and I would send him the cdrs. He send me a few emails saying "When am I going to get what I ordered?" and kept ignoring my replies. I eventually stopped replying and never heard from him again. What did he expect? That I would send him another box and let him keep both?
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juniorbear
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posted on October 5, 2000 08:27:25 AM new
This has got to be your worst nightmare. I sent some old, old tinker toys to a guy who had ordered a Lil Abner item. The Lil Abner bidder was not easy to deal with. Offered to send his item at no charge, no postage if he would send the Lil Abner back. He mailed it back but just drew arrows on the box to show the correct address (package got lost). Finally the package (with a hole in it) got back to me and about 5 of the pieces missing. Discounted the item 50% to the tinker toy buyer and finally got thru this. The tinker toy buyer (from Georgia) was a class act and very patient. I am extremely careful now (2 years later) to send the right item to the right person. Both bidders left positive feedback for me and I lost a few dollars and learned a lot.
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uglimouse
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posted on October 5, 2000 08:40:26 AM new
Twice , I hate to say !! (As you swear it'll never happen again after the first time , when the giant tidal wave of nausea sweeps through your body and the blood drains from your lips...)
The first time I mixed up a jadeite mixer-funnel with a primitive toaster . The jadeite person was a first time newbie whose husband had warned her not to bid on on-line auctions , there'd be trouble ! More waves of nausea...lots of squirming and grovelling and yes , a little extra thrown in for the trouble etc.
The toaster person had a great sense of humor , a seasoned seller /buyer who related her own mishaps , and offered to mail her item to the right bidder . Fortunately , the other bidder wanted to prove her husband wrong and co-operated fully and sent her wrong item to the other buyer . Whew ! Great people , and they left fb almost as glowing as I'd left them !
The second time was two men with the same first , and similar last , names who each bought old sheep bells ! One bought one , and the other a lot of 4 . My fear was that the man who received 4 wouldn't want to give 'em up to receive only one ! Especially as the man who wanted 4 actually intended to use them on errant sheep ! One man lived on an island in the Pacific NW , and only received mail by boat once a week too ! A very nervous fortnight that was for me ; but again , faith in human nature was re-inforced . They exchanged items ( and I sent them each an extra bell ) . Both left nice FB !
Of course , it will never happen again ; oh no , not ever...
uglimouse
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borgt
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posted on October 5, 2000 08:46:57 AM new
"who each bought old sheep bells"
bells... for a minute I thought- nevermind.
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uglimouse
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posted on October 5, 2000 09:34:27 AM new
borgt LOL .
Yes , that would have been the only thing more embarrassing ; if one got a bell and the other got...yes ,you're right , never mind !
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yisgood
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posted on October 5, 2000 09:39:46 AM new
Well, slightly off topic, but I once bought a bunch of CDs of software (encyclopedias like Compton's) to give away with the computer systems I sell. Then I get a phone call from a customer. He had just put in the CD when it came up and said "this is adult content." It turned out that the seller had accidentally included one of his "personal collection" cds in the shipment and he had stuck it inside a jacket of one of the encyclopedias. It was most embarassing because it was the system I had sold to my Rabbi. But it could have been worse. As far as I know, my Rabbi never told anyone else. And he never mentioned it to me again. If it had been another customer, it would have been all over town. Now I pre-install any software I sell.
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midnightdesigns
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posted on October 5, 2000 10:07:43 AM new
I did!..I sent out two different necklace pkgs, with the addresses switched. The first buyer was GRANDE about it..sent me back her "wrong" package within a week. BUT..the second lady would not send hers back!! EVEN THO it wasn't the item she bid on!! For a month, I emailed, threatened, pleaded, begged, cryed, had other friends email, tore my hair out, tried to call, NOTHING..not even a REPLY..Unfortunately, that meant the first lady could not have her necklace either! (to make things worse it was a special order item that couldn't be remade) SOooo I was forced to give the first lady a refund. I relisted and sold the second ladies necklace to pay for the refund, then I e-mailed her, and told her I hope she liked the *wrong* one, because she bought it by keeping it for a month! I never did hear a single word from her..What a nitemare! I now check double check triple check..and then I check a few more times..children are tied and gagged and put in the closet so as not to disturb my concentration when I am doing packages hahaha..Not EVER going through that again! I am now refered to as the "package nazi" in my house LOLOL
[email protected]
http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewListedItems&userid=midnightdesigns
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MAH645
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posted on October 5, 2000 07:12:27 PM new
Yea,Last Christmas I did it twice.One was a Chihuahua T-Shirt,I printed the wrong one.When he received it he said he loved it and payed for another one,which I sent the right one.The other boo-boo I addressed a porcelain doll to the wrong address,that lady was real nice too.Only problem I had send it to a deadbeat who hadn't paid for their item and they were real hateful,so I gave them their item for free for sending the doll back.I guess when you ship alot out and more than one person is taking care of the packing and shipping your gonna have mistakes from time to time.
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traceyg
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posted on October 5, 2000 08:29:05 PM new
Kristie I wouldn't feel to bad if I were you. I was just reading tonight about a funeral place that got the ashes mixed up of two woman that they were handling the services for. They mixed up the ashes. The name was similiar and they didn't find out till weeks later. One women's ashes were already out to sea so, that family was out of luck. So, know matter how bad you feel about the mess up we are all human. You can also look at it this way at least you didn't mix up someones ashes.
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dialin4dollars
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posted on October 5, 2000 08:32:15 PM new
Just happened to me. The lady was kind enough to send the package on to the other customer. I still had not sent her item so I slipped the postage into her item...whew..I know about the knot in your stomach and the crying...
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