posted on August 8, 2001 02:48:11 AM
Just to let you know there are incredible people out there...
I recently broke up a several-year run of comic books into one-year chunks for auction. In the end, one guy bought a huge consecutive block of them. *Big* sale, the best I've had yet from a single buyer on eBay.
So I grabbed the huge run and boxed it up, figured out shipping and collected his money. When the money order arrived, I sent the box UPS.
A couple days later, the buyer emails me. Apparently I sent *too much.* Turns out I grabbed all of his books *and* the next three lots! This guy looked at my concluded auctions, realizing that two of those three had buyers. He asked how I wanted him to send them back.
Once I wiped the egg from my face, I told the guy I was going to settle up properly. First, of course, I was going to send him money to pay for postage to get the books back to me. Second, I was going to refund the overcharge for my shipping costs. Third, I told him to keep the lot that didn't have a buyer. Somebody this honest and helpful deserves the bonus.
So, of course, I'm gushing to my fiancee about how happy I was that the guy was so honest and prompt. We were gone for the rest of the weekend, and I'd planned to figure out the total to send on Monday.
There's a new email from the guy. He sent the books that morning.
Now, let me make this clear: He didn't have the money from me yet. But he *still* went to the effort to package the books up nice and send them to me.
Oh, and here's the irony: The two lots that I sent to him by mistake? The buyers for those two haven't bothered to pay me yet.
Obviously, I'm really embarassed by this comedy of errors. But after seeing a lot of the frustration here, I thought everyone needed to know that wonderful buyers with honesty and integrity really are out there.
posted on August 8, 2001 06:34:47 AM
That's lovely to hear.
During last year's holiday rush, I sent 2 items to the wrong people and only discovered it as I went to package them up for the right people.
Groveling, I admitted my mistakes to all parties involved. Not only did the buyers who received the wrong items cheerfully agree to return the items quickly but both volunteered to send them directly on to the correct people, saving my hide!
They received a nice "thank you" present from me when I shipped them a check for the postage they paid for me. The other buyers also received a "thank you" present for being so kindly patient while I worked to straighten out the mess. Ended up w/nice feedback from all of them.
I've found if you admit UP FRONT you've made a mistake (whether it's having sold something you thought you had but didn't, or broke the item while packing or just plain sent the item to the wrong location), most buyers will gladly work with you.
posted on August 8, 2001 06:52:08 AM
What a good thread, all we ever do is complain most of the time, but it is true that there are some wonderful buyers.
I too have a good experience, when I first started selling I really boofed some postage. The lady received her package and noticed I was off by $4.00 and paypaled me the extra money. I couldnt believe it!! So now I am always extra careful to pay attention to what I was charged to what it cost- I figure if someone else messes up like I did I will send them the difference.
posted on August 8, 2001 06:53:19 AM
What a great story. It makes a person feel really good inside. I have made my fair share of mistakes and sincerely believe that honesty is the only policy. I hate it when I do screw up but after all I am human.
posted on August 8, 2001 11:25:49 AM
Hey, maybe we could clone him & replace all the bad buyers???...Ah, nevermind, I just remembered cloning was outlawed!
posted on August 8, 2001 11:44:48 AM
Recently I sent a buyer the wrong widget. When I got her payment and sent the right one, I was thinking, "This address seems so familiar!"
When the real winner's money arrived I had to cancel an un-bid-on auction for an identical item in order send him his. Then the woman I sent it to by mistake emailed to tell me she got the wrong one.
I apologized, and in the end she ended up buying the one I sent her by mistake as well as the one she meant to buy!
posted on August 8, 2001 02:18:47 PM great story! thanks for posting it.
I've found if you admit UP FRONT you've made a mistake (whether it's having sold something you thought you had but didn't, or broke the item while packing or just plain sent the item to the wrong location), most buyers will gladly work with you.
absolutely. most people are terrific if you just tell them the truth and apologize if you've made a mistake. what ticks people off is ... well, the opposite
great story! thanks for posting it.
