Royally Screwed Up - Advice Needed!

[20husker00]

So, I messed up. Surprisingly, this is the first mess up in all my years on eBay, and it's a foreign experience, and I need some advice.

Scenario:

- I sold two graded Ronald Acuna BGS graded cards to two different buyers. Both were first named Michael. I accidentally sent the less valuable one to the wrong Michael. I'm holding the higher priced Acuna in hand, ready to ship. When I do, Michael (A) will have both then.

- I need to get back the lesser valued Acuna from Michael (A) and send it to Michael (B). What's the best approach here? I'm obviously going to send both Michaels a message immediately. I guess, should I incentivize Michael (A) to send back the card in error? Or just hope he sends it back? Do I offer to refund Michael (B) given the delay? What steps would you take?

Thanks for any positive advice.

- AP

[hxcmilkshake]

You should pay Michael A to send back, and tell Michael B of the delay. I would probably include something else ($$) for their trouble.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[swerve]

Well, one thing I would NOT be doing is holding Michael (A)'s actual purchase "hostage".

[20husker00]

[QUOTE=hxcmilkshake;14422877]You should pay Michael A to send back, and tell Michael B of the delay. I would probably include something else ($$) for their trouble.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk[/QUOTE

Would you pay Michael A ahead of time for Shipping it Back, or upon receiving it back with an incentive too (just to make sure I actually get the card and not throw more good money at my problems)?

[Branesergen]

Tell Michael A that you messed up and to open an item not as described case immediately upon getting the wrong item so you can cover the label to return. Apologize profusely and, if you want, offer some sort of partial refund upon receipt and that you will get the proper card out to him priority once you have the other.

Tell Michael B of your mistake and let him know you will get it out priority once it's been returned to you. Again offer a partial refund if you want and apologize profusely. You can also offer to void the transaction if he so wishes, if you want.

I dont offer partials as "most" people are understanding and have no issues with mistakes.

[20husker00]

Tell Michael A that you messed up and to open an item not as described case immediately upon getting the wrong item so you can cover the label to return. Apologize profusely and, if you want, offer some sort of partial refund upon receipt and that you will get the proper card out to him priority once you have the other.

Tell Michael B of your mistake and let him know you will get it out priority once it's been returned to you. Again offer a partial refund if you want and apologize profusely. You can also offer to void the transaction if he so wishes, if you want.

I dont offer partials as "most" people are understanding and have no issues with mistakes.

Great! I appreciate it!

[alexlazarevich]

Tell Michael A that you messed up and to open an item not as described case immediately upon getting the wrong item so you can cover the label to return. Apologize profusely and, if you want, offer some sort of partial refund upon receipt and that you will get the proper card out to him priority once you have the other.

Tell Michael B of your mistake and let him know you will get it out priority once it's been returned to you. Again offer a partial refund if you want and apologize profusely. You can also offer to void the transaction if he so wishes, if you want.

I dont offer partials as "most" people are understanding and have no issues with mistakes.

This is good advice.

Make sure to contact them quickly and professionally. You want to make it look like you caught the problem (which you did) and know exactly what to do to get them their cards (which you now do) and will make it worth their wait by giving them a sincere apology and a partial refund or some extra cards to make up for your mistake. Put yourself in their place, what would you want? Do that.

[iluvfish2]

Recall package one if you so desire. It will be quicker for you to actually have them get the package and just resend it back to you (you pay shipping obviously) - they could do this easily without even opening it.

Recalling it will put it into a different shipping category and could take months to get it, just an FYI

Let buyer # 2 know issues at hand. Offer to refund at this point if they dont want to wait and will contact them once you have the card in hand and can redo the deal at hand (they may have discounts/credits used on this purchase to check with them).

[20husker00]

This is good advice.

Make sure to contact them quickly and professionally. You want to make it look like you caught the problem (which you did) and know exactly what to do to get them their cards (which you now do) and will make it worth their wait by giving them a sincere apology and a partial refund or some extra cards to make up for your mistake. Put yourself in their place, what would you want? Do that.

I appreciate it! I run a tight ship and have for almost 20 years on ebay, with not even one negative or anything close. This is very important to me.

[alexlazarevich]

I appreciate it! I run a tight ship and have for almost 20 years on ebay, with not even one negative or anything close. This is very important to me.

Yeah, 541 positives and 0 negs/nutrs in the last 12 months. 5.0 stars across the boards. You are a great seller for sure. If you do get a neg, don't sweat it. Everyone gets a neg at some point. I would never avoid buying from a buyer with 541 pos and 1 neg. Even 2 to 3 negs. IF you get a neg, I would suggest responding to the neg in a professional way, not emotional. Something like, "I made a shipment error, corrected it as quickly as I could, I will do better in the future."

[shrevecity]

I would not have one send to the other under no circumstances. Best scenario is to have them both returned to you and then fix the error at that point.

Don't worry about a neg. They do not hurt sellers as much as people like to think they do, the first one typically stings the most. As long as you are not getting many for the same thing in a short period of time you really have nothing to worry about.

[Cactuspies]

you could always have Michael A just do a Return to Sender as long as he doesn't open the package. It still may take a couple of weeks to get back. Sometimes you can track it too so that helps you out. It will save you from a 3rd or 4th shipping cost.

[Stech36]

I had this happen to me once. It was a group break . Sent one person a Mike Trout Auto. The other a $10 Auto. I just told both what happened, and told both I’d give them a partial refund once I got my money back. They both were honest and it worked out. Hope yours does too!

[20husker00]

Thanks for the feedback and kind words, fella. Michael (B) responded right away, and said "everyone makes mistakes. No big deal. Just send the card when you get it." Check.

Still waiting for Michael (A), who will have both cards to respond. He's the wildcard!

Thank you again.

[factoryofsadnes]

I'd email him a return label. I've had this happen and guy said he'd cover the cost once he got it back and ofcourse he didn't. Have him open a return and agree to the return and then ship his card to him asap.