Advice needed - eBay selling

[zeferjen]

Hi - I made a rookie mistake and shipped something to a buyer without a tracking number. He asked for it after I had shipped it, so there is nothing I can do about it at this point. I sent back this message:


Hi - I'm very sorry. I received your message after I shipped it. It should be there in a few days.

And he replied with:


yup but i need the tracking number man

Now what do I do? Was thinking of sending this message:

"Again, I am sorry. I do not have a tracking number to provide you. Please let me refund you $5 for the inconvenience."

Thoughts? I know, I am a moron for making this mistake to begin with.

 

[HLAuburn]

Why would you offer a refund? Did you say it would be shipped with a tracking number? Obviously, you usually just do that for your own protection.

With the holidays, I would imagine shipping can be delayed right now. Has it had time to get there? Do you have reason to think it's lost? If not, I'd give it some more time - email him and tell him again that you don't have a tracking number and to give it until (whenever) and email you if he hasn't received it by then.

Hopefully he'll be honest when he receives it, man (What's up with that anyway?)

 

[zeferjen]

Hi - Thanks for your help! I did not promise a shipping number in the listing. In fact, I purposely didn't even promise priority mail... only "Expedited shipping". I shipped it out yesterday, less than 12 hours after receiving payment. I guess he is just nervous that it will get lost.

 

[Kies99]

When did you send it, and how/where did you send it?

Don't offer a refund up front. Wait a day or two before replying and the buyer may have it.

Going forward, always send with tracking. Trust me...Ebay puts the power in the buyers hands, not the sellers so you need to cover your behind.

 

[zeferjen]

I sent it yesterday via Priority mail. Nj -> Miami, so it should get there tomorrow, I think. I think I will take both of your advice and not respond back.

Thanks very much for your help.

 

[Madison'smommy]

How did you pay for shipping? Did you make up your label at home through paypal? I would NOT offer any refund to him.

 

[zeferjen]

I took it to the Post Office and shipped there. Paid via credit card.

 

[tzeitel]

It is so easy and cheap to add a tracking number. If you ship through Paypal the buyer even gets an email from PP with the delivery confirmation number. I really hope this was not an expensive item. If the package gets lost there is no way to figure out the last place it was scanned.
If the buyer receives it and is dishonest they could say they never received it - did they pay through Paypal? If so they can dispute the charge.

I would not offer a refund. Was sent 1st class or parcel? Either way I would wait about a week and if you are worried about it then contact the buyer to make sure they received it. Try not to sound too worried or they could freak out

 

[girli565]

I sent it yesterday via Priority mail. Nj -> Miami, so it should get there tomorrow, I think. I think I will take both of your advice and not respond back.

Thanks very much for your help.

Priority mail you already get delivery status service, look at your receipt for the number.

 

[Kies99]

Priority mail you already get delivery status service, look at your receipt for the number.

If you ship at the post office, priority mail does not automatically include delivery confirmation. It's an extra service. If you pay and print a label online through USPS.com then the delivery confirm is included in the price.

 

[girli565]

If you ship at the post office, priority mail does not automatically include delivery confirmation. It's an extra service. If you pay and print a label online through USPS.com then the delivery confirm is included in the price.

Ah, ok. That sucks.



OP, delivery confirmation is something like 20 cents, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. I always add it when I ship ebay purchases.

 

[Robinrs]

Ah, ok. That sucks.



OP, delivery confirmation is something like 20 cents, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. I always add it when I ship ebay purchases.

Not at the post office. It's about 70 cents there.

I always ship using the PayPal labels or USPS.COM. The DC is free for both of these on Priority Mail.

OP, I agree with the others, DO NOT offer a refund. If you shipped it Priority he should received it in about 2-3 days. Lesson learned.

yup? Sounds like a winner!

 

[girli565]

Not at the post office. It's about 70 cents there.

I always ship using the PayPal labels or USPS.COM. The DC is free for both of these on Priority Mail.

OP, I agree with the others, DO NOT offer a refund. If you shipped it Priority he should received it in about 2-3 days. Lesson learned.

yup? Sounds like a winner!

Wow, this shows you how often I go to the post office, huh?

I always use USPS online or ship through eBay.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

Also, I would not refund him anything at this point.

However, if you do for some reason make sure you do it through the original payment he sent you ... not as a separate transaction ... b/c if he should dispute the charge with paypal (which he might since he is being so insistent on a tracking number) you will be out the total amount he paid and the refund you sent him.