posted on January 22, 2001 06:36:08 PM
I need a tie breaker for the vote in the household on my reaction to a "buyer not reading my listing very well".
I listed a wall sconce and in the details mentioned that it had vintage prisms (which it did). Didn't say anything about the sconce itself being vintage in the banner or in the description. Got payment today with a note attached saying it was for the "vintage sconce". The red flag went up. I went back and read my listing again....didn't say or imply in any way that it was a vintage sconce. I like sleeping nights, so I wrote and told her she must have misread it and wanted to be sure before sending it that she understood the listing. She writes back and says she doesn't want it then (which I expected) and would I return her payment. Of course I will.
The vote here at home is: Husband and I say right thing to do. 2 grown kids say she should pay attention...dumb move Mom to send payment back.
You guys out there are much more experienced than I. What would you do, in case I ever get this again?
posted on January 22, 2001 06:39:29 PM
would you have refunded her money after she received it and realized it was not what she (in error) thought it was?? If you say yes---then you saved yourself the hassle and expensive of double shipping.
But you should definitely file for FVF to be re-imbursed to you.....let her know that you will be doing that and she has the option of either paying you or having EBAY pay you.
posted on January 22, 2001 06:39:51 PM
I would have done the same. Ignore the kids. They have a lot to learn Grown or not.
Really, though. You did the right thing, and now you know that bidders read what they WANT to read, and you have to be very specific so no assumptions are made.
Hey, now she knows you are honest, and will not avoid you in the future.
posted on January 22, 2001 06:44:52 PM
First off, I think you are doing the right thing. It sounds like your sconce was a "married" piece, with the main part being newer, and prisms added that are old.
I can understand how it would be easy to not spell that out in the description, but you should. Since there is a distinct difference in the age of the pieces, most if not all buyers interested in this item would want to know that up front.
Since it was a finished auction, perhaps you can both end up with a positive feedback for each handling it well.
posted on January 22, 2001 06:46:04 PM
Thanks Zazzie. I never would have thought of the FVF. It's never happened before.
And yes, I would have refunded the money if she received it and was disappointed.
Will be very careful in wording from here on...thought I had been, but you're right, they apparently read what they want it to be. Now I know what you all have been talking about.
Thanks again.
posted on January 22, 2001 07:38:07 PM
You did the right thing. Now, if you had actually stated in your auction that the sconce itself is not vintage & she bid anyway, then you would not have been obligated to let her back out of the deal. As it was she made an assumption based on the info you *did* provide (ie vintage prisms).
This way she's happy and you have a clean conscience & can sleep well.
Grown or not.