posted on September 26, 2001 06:08:20 PM
Help! I had an auction end on Sep 16th. The bidder bought it with "buy
it now". I received an email today from her, asking how I would ship the
print (I sell limited edition art prints) so the frame and glass would not
break during shipping? The problem: the print is not framed and clearly says
that it in my ad. The picture in the ad shows the print with a frame around
it, but that is a pic I got from an art website, not even a pic I took my
self. But the ad clearly says: Mint condition, never framed. I emailed back
and told her that if she reads the ad it says it is not framed etc and I did
not offer a way out of the bid. I figure she should have read it before she
decided to purchase it. She replied with the following email:
oh no! please tell me you are kidding. the picture in the auction is clearly
a picture of a custom framed print. it clearly has mats and a frame on it.
you tricked me. can you give me a discount or maybe frame it? please let me
know as soon as possible. i need to know what i am going to give my husband
for his birthday. right now i have no present. i will look for your reply.
I cannot frame it for reasons of the cost to do so and also the time frame
(plus I don't do framing myself). I could give her a discount, but don't
really want to. My feeling is that she should have read the ad, especially if
she is spending so much money. If I have to, I will offer a small discount as
I want to keep my perfect feedback. I am looking for some opinions and/or
advice.
posted on September 26, 2001 06:28:24 PM
I don't know.
even though it says never framed in your description, I would have thought I was getting just what was pictured, especially at that price. If you were selling an unframed print then that is what you should have pictured.
if you would have said "you are bidding on an unframed print", then that would be different.
IMHO, she deserves either a discount equal to the cost of framing, or you should get it framed.
posted on September 26, 2001 06:29:33 PM
I understand that you want to keep your perfect feedback and I don't blame you. But if you clearly stated that it was just a print and not a framed and matted item, then no, I would not offer a discount.
She can read, maybe this is just her way of "getting" a discount?
posted on September 26, 2001 06:29:36 PM
"The picture in the ad shows the print with a frame around
it, but that is a pic I got from an art website, not even a pic I took my
self. "
I wouldn't show anything in a photo that is not what I am selling.
I would offer her the choice of a discount, or to back out of the deal with no repercussions.
posted on September 26, 2001 06:33:53 PM
i am a seller only but would imagine that if your picture had a frame around it you may have contributed to some confusion and should try to help her out
posted on September 26, 2001 06:35:03 PM
Well, you all have point too. I probably wouldn't try to sell any item pictured any different than what I intended to ship it as either. But then again, that also is JMO.
posted on September 26, 2001 06:41:55 PM
As a seller who has sold over 8000 items on ebaY.I always take an exact picture of the item only and nothing else.That way it avoids problems like this.
You have to assume and I hate to say this that bidders cannot read.So a picture tells the story.
I think part of the problem is that what you said though true is a good way down the description.
I did not see it the first time I read it as it is an interesting item you have there.
But I did the 2nd time I read it.
I think neither of you are wrong,to keep her happy I would offer a discount that she could apply to have it framed.
That way it looks as if you realised you made a mistake and are willing to do what you can to fix it.
She will be happy and give you good feedback though you maybe out some money.
posted on September 26, 2001 06:46:17 PM
I appreciate all of the opinions. I think I will offer her a discount of 1/2 of my profit on the print, or she can back out with good feedback but I am going to ask she pay my ebay fees. The print went for several hundred dollars (over 500.00).
I cannot afford to have the print framed for her as I would lose money on the print, plus I would lose an additional 30.00 in shipping as the cost to ship would be around 50.00 and I only charge 20.00 on a flat print.
I suppose this is a good lesson in why I need to get a digital camera. I don't have one now and get all of the pictures of my prints from art web sites. Funny thing is, I sold another one of these 2 weeks before this one and there were no questions as to whether it was framed or not. I guess they could read. sigh.
posted on September 26, 2001 06:59:21 PM
Everyone,
Since it appears the originator has found the answer she needs, and because there is enough information to identify the specific auction, I am locking this thread.
