I screwed up on Ebay

DragonAzz · October 20, 2003 4:53AM

I listed a number of Morgans on Ebay last week. They ended and I was preparing the coins for shipment. One of them was listed as an 1885-O. I looked for the coin and could not find it.

It turns out that the coin I had pictured was an 1885 but I had it listed as an -O. The error is totally my fault and I need to make good with the buyer. The buyer paid with PayPal.

What would you do in my situation to insure that the buyer is satisfied?

nwcs · October 20, 2003 4:54AM

I would email them and ask them what they want to do.

supercoin · October 20, 2003 4:58AM

Tell him tough luck, it's an auction not an approval service!! If he doesn't like it, tell him to stuff it. Make vague semi-violent threats in e-mails. Be sure to misspell a lot of words.

For extra credit, write a fake letter from an attorney on high-priced letterhead and send it via certified mail. Don't roll over and take this abuse!!

Or... I guess you could apologize and give him his money back.

TheNumish · October 20, 2003 5:05AM

I've done things like that and have always just told the buyer what happened. People are usually pretty cool about it when you make a mistake and come clean about it.

ms70 · October 20, 2003 5:20AM

I'd just tell him the truth & ask what I could do to make it right. Maybe you have something else on his want list you can strike
a nice deal on.

DCAMFranklin · October 20, 2003 5:27AM

Supercoin- A very funny response.

TheNumish provides the proper way to handle it.

ScarsdaleCoin · October 20, 2003 6:26AM

I agree...better really make this one up....even if it cost you a few extra $$$

1jester · October 20, 2003 7:00AM

Supercoin, you tell 'em!!!

CoinHusker · October 20, 2003 7:34AM

Supercoin, have you ever heard of "de-caf"?

Funny response Tad!

DragonAzz · October 20, 2003 7:34AM

Well, I wrote the buyer a scathing, threatening letter and signed it "supercoin" and used his return e-mail address. I demanded the buyer immediately pay twice the selling price through PayPal or I would have him NARU'd from Ebay. I'm sure everything will work out.

Actually, I explained the situation to him and offered him the choice of several options, all of which were financially advantageous to him. He wrote back with which one would work for him and I mailed him a package. Left him positive feedback saying I made an error and buyer worked with me.

GaCoinGuy · October 20, 2003 8:01AM

I think you did the only thing you could morally do......fess up to your mistake and offer him choices.......I'd have no problem buying from you with that kind of service.

Dabigkahuna · October 20, 2003 8:12AM

Boy, that is a real bummer. I agree that working with the customer is always the best idea. I don't see the winner giving you a neg since you seemed to have worked it out.

Don't really follow the Morgan prices that closely but the two coins are about the same money, aren't they?

If not, I would go the Supercoin route.

Larry
Dabigkahuna

jdimmick · October 20, 2003 8:27AM

I made a mistake once in a listing, showed the wrong photo. Didnt ealize till it was to late.
I ended up giving him the coin free of charge!

jim

supercoin · October 20, 2003 8:34AM

Well, I wrote the buyer a scathing, threatening letter and signed it "supercoin" and used his return e-mail address.

LOL, touché! Remind me not to get on your bad side.

fountainheadgold · October 20, 2003 3:45PM

You did it it right

mintluster · October 20, 2003 9:13PM

Give him the coin for free. Have him pay postage on it only.
Or offer him the '85-O (tell him you will get it) and tell him shipping is free on it and tell HIM to name the price on it (most people will do this fairly).
Maintaing a positive relationship with him and more business is what you should strive for, and since it is not a high priced coin you really have nothing to lose, only gain in the end.
He will feel good about the experience and want to do more business with you again.
You have a chance to turn a negative into a positive here.
Good luck.

DragonAzz · October 20, 2003 11:17PM

I offered the buyer the following options:

1) Full refund with additional money to compensate him for his trouble.

2) Find an 1885-O for him regardless of my cost.

3) Send the 1885 and also an 1890-O at no charge.

He chose #3.

When I was putting together my Peace dollar collection as well as a set of Franklins, I looked for specific dates and mints in conditions that would match within the set. I know that I would have been disappointed had I been in the same situation and was fully willing to do what it took to insure the buyer was satisfied.

In my communications with the buyer, I found him to be polite and understanding. The last note I received from him indicated that he appreciated my sincerity and honesty. He said he was satisfied with the transaction and would leave positive feedback.

I screwed up on Ebay

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