posted on January 12, 2001 08:50:20 PM new
I sold a vintage pair of jeans during the free listing day, and received a very nice bid. In an effort to get the ball rolling I sent out all my eoa's when I was really tired and had made a typo in the amount due. The buyer immediately paypaled me payment, BUT only paid the typo amount which was short his bid price and stated shipping cost.On the cost break down it was a pretty obvious mistake, subtracted instead of added.
Which I immediately noticed and resent him a paypal request for payment the rest of amount due. Five days, heard nothing.
Sent him a second friendly email. Replied, "Thanks". thats it! Does this guy think I'm going to ship for free and accept the lesser selling price???
Today I have contacted his underbidder, who would gladly buy the jeans. I have given the buyer 24 hours to ante up the rest of his payment via paypal or I will return his partial payment and file a non-paying bidder notification with ebay.
We are talking $6-8 bucks here. It don't feel I should have to eat that because of a typo.
Am I breaking any ebay or paypal rules, if I go ahead and return his payment? I may not file the NPB, but I do feel I have a right to, he only paid partially!
posted on January 12, 2001 09:12:17 PM new
If it were me, I would eat the cost. It was your error, not the buyer's, and he/she could post a negative feedback to you.
If they voluntarily accept to pay the correct price, then you're lucky, but it appears they won't.
Experience is the best teacher. $6 or $8 isn't much, so I would consider it a valuable lesson. I'm not sure how much the jeans sold for, but chances are, there's still room for profit, as you mentioned you were pleased with the final high bid.
You may want to consider AW's post auction management that automatically sends an email to the winning bidder. Computers don't make mistakes (usually), humans do, especially when tired.
posted on January 12, 2001 09:20:36 PM new
Actually, I have had this happen before. I ate the difference since it was my fault.
I have also caught it in time and send another email with quick apology and corrected amount a few minutes later.
I have also had an honest buyer correct ME and send the proper amount.
I NEVER do EOA if I am sick or sleepy, any more .
I think this buyer took advantage of you and should make it right if it was that obvious of a mistake. Sadly, not all buyers are that well trained and honest.
Morally, they should know better. Morally, it was your mistake.
posted on January 13, 2001 05:11:09 AM new
I wonder how quick the buyer would've paid had you overcharged? Honesty is a two-way street and I'd say the buyer was taking advantage of you.
posted on January 13, 2001 05:54:49 AM new
Why not send the buyer one last email saying you're waiting for the additional amount before shipping? That should at least get you more than a "thanks" reply.
However, if the buyer refuses to pay the additional amount, you should go ahead and ship--he did pay the amount in the EOA, erroneous though it was. If you'd caught it and emailed him BEFORE he paid, you'd be on solid ground, but once he's paid the amount you asked, you're on pretty shaky territory.
If it had been over $10.00, maybe pursue, but under that, chalk it up to a lesson learned the hard way.
posted on January 13, 2001 06:38:17 AM new
I have been undercharged twice on two items I have purchased. Contacted both sellers and they both said they were embarassed by the final price and were only charging me what they had hoped to get. Before Buy It Now. I can't imagine not contacting the seller. It would make me feel like a thief. BUT, As a seller I think you have to eat the difference, because it is the sellers responsibility to make sure they send out the correct information, this is a business. If a store charges me less than the correct price, they can't chase after me when I leave the store after paying to get the rest of their money.
posted on January 13, 2001 08:53:55 AM new
Legally, you do not have to eat the cost. Just ask any real business if they have to pay for typos. If the IRS misplaces the decimal point in your refund check, do you get to keep the windfall? The customer may be trying to take advantage of you.
And for all of you who are about to come back with all that "customer relations and repeat buyer" stuff, the practice hasn't hurt Walmart, Kmart or any other business one iota. What could the customer's attitude possibly be, "if I can't rip you off then I'm never shopping with you again!" Yeah, like I want you back.
And for those of you who are going to say that businesses do sell the item at the price marked even if it was a mistake, remember, it was a BILLING mistake, not a pricing mistake.
I hope I covered most of the arguements, but I suppose someone will come up with another wild reason out of the Martian Plains.
posted on January 13, 2001 10:02:22 AM new
And for those of you who are going to say that businesses do sell the item at the price marked even if it was a mistake, remember, it was a BILLING mistake, not a pricing mistake.
I've been at the check out in many stores and have found that the price at the shelf was not the same as the item scanned at the check out. Most stores will NOT honor the shelf price, they don't eat it like you have suggested I do.
Earlier in the week there was a lady fighting for 54cents shorted and the consenses was the buyer should pay up. Well this guy placed his bid, it was not an opening bid, and he knew the exact charge for shipping in my ad, so he gets to pay less, I don't think so.
Hey, I feel this guy is a weasel and I don't want him to bid on my auctions ever again. On my EOA I break down the bid price, shipping, & insurance. Those numbers are correct. I just feel he doesn't really want his item very bad to play this game. I agree I've had sellers make a mistake in my favor in the past, if asked I would and have anted up or know that my item may never be sent.
I don't care if he does neg me, I'm not the one acting like a weasel. I neg is certainly a two way street.
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