Ebay seller errors happen. How you deal with the mistake will show your buyer your true nature. Here are three common eBay seller errors with advice on how to fix them and, even better, how to prevent them.
Seller Error 1: Miscounting LEGO Pieces
Sometimes buyers may purchase 100 or 1000 of the same LEGO piece. Maybe you miscounted and accidentally shorted a buyer two of this piece or seven of that piece.
How to Fix It: Give the buyer multiple options. Sometimes running two pieces short could mean the buyer’s LEGO project is short two pieces. Offer a refund equal to or greater than the cost of the missing pieces. Getting an order missing a few pieces sucks and it’s sadly a common problem. If you refund a little extra, maybe a dollar or two, the buyer might not feel as bad. Also, offer to mail the missing parts (if you have them). Buyers will appreciate the gesture, but in my experience many will take the refund.
How to Prevent It: The easiest way to prevent shorting a buyer is to include a few extras. Also, breaking down the counting task into smaller more manageable chunks will help your accuracy. For example if you need to count 1000, count in groups of 100.
Selling Error 2: Shipping the buyer the wrong item
Maybe you mailed the buyer an incorrect item because it looks very similar. Maybe you mixed up two buyers’ orders, sending each buyer the order of the other buyer (ouch!).
How to Fix It: Have the buyer return the item to you if you mailed them another buyer’s order. If you simply mailed the buyer the wrong item out of your inventory, you may consider letting them keep lower value items so they don’t have to bother shipping it back. Since you (the seller) screwed up, make sure you pay for the return shipping.
How to Prevent It: Print out a packing slip for each order and double check that the item title matches the item that you’re shipping. Also, match the photo to the item that you’re shipping.
Selling Error 3: Shipping the buyer scuffed up LEGO pieces as “new”
Some LEGO items can very easily become scuffed up during sorting. LEGO tiles, panels and glass are easily scuffed up.
How to Fix It: Offer the buyer a partial refund or allow the buyer to return the item for a full refund. Make sure you pay the return shipping.
How to Prevent It: Examine your LEGO pieces before listing them and describe any defects in your listing. You may also consider listing new items as used to avoid confusion.
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The only protection against all of these selling errors is vigilance and a sharp eye. Always strive for excellence, but if you make a mistake, own up and fix it FAST and fix it BETTER than the buyer’s expecting. After all, you made the mistake (mea culpa), not the buyer.