posted on December 3, 2004 09:34:04 PM new
Listed an item in good faith, included that it had some missing screws, nuts, bolts, etc. that could be picked up at Home Depot for under $5.00. No problem.
Item sold for $135. Cool.
I saw these were shipping NEW for $25.00, so I listed shipping as such (MISTAKE).
So I gathered it all up to get it shipped and found out a major piece was missing. It was apparently missing when we bought it off ebay (over a year ago) and I simply assumed it was in there (we never opened that package 2 of 2 because they were extension poles we didn't need).
So anyway, the item was now incomplete and I didn't feel right selling it without a credit. So just to make sure, I took the whole thing to get a box and shipping estimate (UPS/FedEx).
YIKES!
To ship this large oversized item (two packages) would be about $125 or so via UPS or FedEx and about $170 via USPS. With giving a $25 credit for the missing piece, my net would be $15.
As such, I simply treated this as a broken item -- item no longer available. I issued a full refund via Paypal and sent a since apology to the buyer -- including a link to where she could buy the same item NEW with FREE shipping for about $70 more total -- and all parts and warranty.
I filed NPB-Mutual Agreement Not to Sell and awaited her reply (she's in CA).
Her reply was to tell ebay she still wants to go through with the purchase and then she sent me the $$$ via Paypal again!
Very odd. If she wants to pay extra shipping for AS IS condition (which I wouldn't do if I were her) then okay, I guess.
Anyway -- thought I'd shared this oddity.
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on December 3, 2004 09:49:01 PM new
You need to level with her and tell her about the missing extensions, and the shipping costs. Still offer to take the hit on shipping as long as you don't go in the hole. My guess is that she may want it to scavenge parts from a short lived model that is no longer available. If that's the case, you can do that at your end and ship her whatever she wants from it without going oversize. You need to communicate with her to resolve it, though. A phone call might even be in order.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on December 3, 2004 10:00:19 PM new
I did level with her in the original email. Spelled it all out for her.
However, I'm not going to take a $100 hit on the shipping costs. Yes, that was my bad on the estimation -- but I think the missing piece turned out to be a blessing in disguise (I normally eat shipping costs when I screw up).
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on December 3, 2004 10:10:02 PM new
I can sympathize with you on the shipping mistake. I've been burned a couple times myself on that oversize rule. Ever notice how that tape measure in the hand of a FedEx agent resembles a revolver in the hand of a robber?
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on December 3, 2004 10:38:19 PM new
I think your right to refuse the sale, no matter what the buyer wants, since the item is not complete.
Exception would be if buyer pays full shipping which she won't.
I've taken a hit on shipping costs, small ones, but I'm with you on this, I would not take a 100.00 hit.
posted on December 4, 2004 06:18:38 AM new
I don't have to worry about shipping odd sizes cuz my pcs fit inside flat envelopes but I think I remember reading here that you can ship some of those odd sized things via Greyhound or some such venue - have you checked that out?
**********************************
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh@#...what a ride!"
posted on December 4, 2004 07:04:11 AM new
I agree with mcjane. A $100 hit is a bit much to take. Technically, the item is "not as described" anyway and no matter what she tells you, I'd be leary to let it go. It could come back to bite you in the arse especially if she paid with PayPal. I would simply tell her you are not comfortable letting it go this way. Tell her you'll relist it with the proper description and she can buy it then if still interested.
It's just my little 'ol opinion.
Cheryl
"Success in almost any field depends more on energy and drive than it does on intelligence. This explains why we have so many stupid leaders."
-Sloan Wilson
posted on December 4, 2004 07:50:25 AM new
Thanks for all the supportive replies...
I just denied her latest Paypal payment and I can no longer get my ebay fees back as she denied my mutual offer. Fortunately, it was only $4.41. Her reply was "NO way, I'm expecting this to arrive any moment" -- HELLO??? I've not even shipped it yet.
Cheryl. Good point about the Paypal claim she could make. I'm prepared for the negative she'll give me on this and will simply state the facts in the reply.
Ugh...
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on December 6, 2004 09:07:41 PM new
UPDATE:
She got back to me. She had missed my email with the details of my reasons. Things might actually work out with her buying the item without the missing piece (and that whole subunit) for a reduced price.
I'll simply relist with a BIN for the agreed price and approved buyer only to keep ebay and Paypal cool.
Thanks!
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
