Help w/ EBAY dilemma

[CLynnJones]

I listed 7 items last night for sale/bid. I usually always use the "calculate postage" for shipping and the buyer can just put their zip code in for the rate. Last night I did flat rates and put in flat rate and the cost in the 2nd box and "other, see item description" (or so I think?) in the 1st box. When I was all done putting up my listings, I went through to look at them and much to my horror saw the shipping listed as "free". How the heck I did that and missed it is beyond me!! I was able to go in and switch them all except 1 which is a lot of 10 Danielle Steele SC books and 1 HC. I started the bidding out at .99. I had $5.00 flat shipping rate in the item description and it also showed up in the 2nd box for shipping choices but "free" showed up in the 1st line. The lady who made the bid before I could change it wrote me and asked if I could ship the books by the 28th. I wrote back and told her I sure could --depending on how she paid and I apologized for my mistake and asked her if she saw the $5.00 flat shipping rate in the item description. She wrote back and said to be honest the reason she bid was b/c the shipping was free. I wrote back and told her she could retract her bid if she would like or that if the bidding went a bit higher I wouldn't mind the shipping being free if I made enough money to pay for it but that I don't want to pay e-bay charges, paypal charges shipping charges to give my books away. I would, in essence be paying her to take my books if she would win with a .99 bid and no shipping costs!! The auction has 51/2 days left and I have added in BIG, BIG letters that I made a mistake and couldn't change it due to a bid but that shipping is not free it is $5.00 and please don't bid if you don't want to pay for it. What would you do? I want to be reasonable-it was my mistake but it also was written clearly in the description what the shipping cost was. Sorry so long............

 

[va32h]

What I think you should do is cancel the bids and end the listing, then revise it and re-list it. You will lose your ebay fees for the first listing, but it is the only fair thing to do.

Yes, the shipping cost was a mistake, but it was your mistake, and the buyer should not have to be responsible for your error.

If you keep the auction up, and require the winning bidder to pay shipping, you may well have a non-paying bidder and a negative feedback to boot.

I am a longtime seller, and have made mistakes in quoting shipping costs. I have always covered the difference, even if it means taking a loss.

But your other option is to cancel the bid and end the listing.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I agree - I would cancel the auction. Even if that lady goes through with things, she could still put in your feedback - positive or neutral - that you tried to ask her for more money and that could look bad on your part.

 

[Stitchfans]

I just looked and couldn't find it.

 

[CLynnJones]

Thank you so much for the fast response. I didn't know I could cancel when there is already a bid. How do I do that? Are there any repercussions besides paying the listing fee?
I understand what you mean about it being my mistake and I may just end up honoring it like you mentioned. I do want to keep my feedback rating high. These are my DD's books so I would have to pay all the costs and pay my daughter something since they were her books to begin with. I think if I had the opportunity to get 11 books for $5.99 or even somewhere in that ballpark I would be thrilled and it's not like it wasn't listed in the description and 1 other place. I think I would have at least asked a question if if I saw $5.00 two places and 0 elsewhere on the listing. I'm not sure what I will do yet.

 

[CLynnJones]

Thanks so much for your help!! I was thinking the same thing you were Texas Mouseketeer about getting negative or neutral no matter what I do at this point. I think I will just retract it if I can figure out how. I'll tell you one thing I will be a heck of a lot more careful in the future, that's for sure!! I think I will make sure I have a glass of wine next to me to keep me less frantic/hyper whilst doing the listings. Make that a pitcher!

 

[va32h]

To cancel the listing, go to your My Ebay screen, look for the "Related Links" menu on your left, click on "More". You will see two links - "Cancel Bids" and "End My Listing Early". You will need to cancel the bid prior to ending the listing.

 

[CLynnJones]

Thank you once again!!