Was I too hard on this buyer? Not hard enough?

[docsilvey]

Background: I have been selling 20 base-card lots of 2008 Bowman prospects in my ebay store. The picture is of a chrome card. I do not list the item as a chrome lot and the 2nd line of the item description is in big, bolded red block letters that states it is not a chrome lot. Several have sold without difficulty, until now. Here is a link to the item in question: EBAY ITEM.

Yesterday I get an email from the buyer:
"Is there anyway I can return this for a refund, didn't realize it wasn't chrome, and I think you should put the card you get in the pitcure instead of writing it small in the description, it's very very misleading and frustrating..."

Since I allow anyone to return anything for any reason as long as it's in a reasonable timeframe, I have no problem honoring his request for a refund. But the accusatory nature of the email frankly pissed me off, as I feel that it implies I was doing something sneaky to dupe unsuspecting buyers. So here's my reply:

"By all means, please return ASAP for full refund. I'm not happy unless the customer is happy. However, I feel you were a bit harsh on me in your email stating I wrote it "small" in the description and that the listing was misleading. Come on, it was the second line of the item description in bolded red block letters. I didn't advertise the lot as chrome in the title and made a point to describe it specifically as not being a chrome lot. With all of that being said, you are ulitmately right that a chrome card was pictured. So if the buyer did not read the description and inferred from the title that it was a chrome lot even though it wasn't listed as such, then the picture could be misleading.
I do appreciate your business and hope you'll consider me in the future for your collecting needs.
Best regards,
Allen Silvey
(address)"

Since I've wrestled with this today, just wanted to get some opinions on whether my reply was too harsh, not harsh enough, or if I'm being overly sensitive.
Thanks!

 

[Kutzy]

Actually, even though the buyer needs to read better, I think you are in the wrong as well. Your picture is supposed to be an accurate description of what the buyer is going to recieve. If the card pictured is a chrome, its quite easy for them to assume the card is going to be chrome as well.

 

[All The Hype]

That might be the perfect reply.


If you accept returns no matter what, then who cares? It's kinda annoying that he didn't just read the description so he would know, but I also am personally not a fan of picturing something other than the exact item that is for sale.

I think your response was perfect because you were not rude, but you did let him know that it's annoying that he wouldn't just read the description which clearly states that the lot is base and not chrome.

 

[KandKCards]

My advice would be just to scan one base BDP RC and have two separate templates; base and chrome. Just say "the card in the scan is an example, you will be receiving X player listed in the title"

 

[P_Manning 18]

So would it be ok for me to list an auction for a Ryan Braun Chrome....
use this picture

But send this

But state..... You are not getting the auto.... just a Ryan Braun Chrome??????

Save yourself the headache in the future..... list with the appropriate picture.

 

[i43770]

I have never understood why sellers put pictures of items up that have nothing to do with the auction. On that note, I would say you were a little harsh. The only reason to post a picture of a chrome card in an auction like that, is to confuse a possible buyer, hoping they don't read the description. The base cards scan better than what chrome ones do (chrome normally looks dark in a scan).

I'm confused about this part of your listing:

represented by the stock picture shown below from the 2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Baseball Set...

The card you show isn't from that set, it is from 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects

 

[daveyou]

So would it be ok for me to list an auction for a Ryan Braun Chrome....
use this picture

But send this

But state..... You are not getting the auto.... just a Ryan Braun Chrome??????

Save yourself the headache in the future..... list with the appropriate picture.

or

::facepalm::

dave

 

[jmc280zx]

I would have to say after looking at you listing it does seem a bit deceptive. Your description is so busy it all blends in together.

If you are truly not trying to be deceptive and hoping that some one will bid thinking they are chrome and just not say anything then why not put the correct picture up???

 

[70Chip]

Kudos for honoring the return request but I agree with the rest of the fellas, just put a pic of the actual card and save the hassles.

 

[rainmanesq]

I don’t think you should show a picture of a chrome card if the lot is not chrome. I think it is misleading. Why not show a picture of draft if that’s what you’re selling? It would seem that you chose to show the chrome b/c you know that would likely fetch more $ than the non chrome- or maybe you were just saving time? Either way, save yourself the hassles + either (a) use a stock photo of the BCDP box (like many sellers do) or (b) use a photo of WHAT the buyer will get.

BTW I think you were too hard on the buyer. If I were you I would've said 'sorry you weren't happy. SEnd the cards to ______ and i'll send your refund.'

 

[boomo]

I would have to say after looking at you listing it does seem a bit deceptive. Your description is so busy it all blends in together.

If you are truly not trying to be deceptive and hoping that some one will bid thinking they are chrome and just not say anything then why not put the correct picture up???

this is what i was going to say, your auction writing skills are horrendous, although that looks like some lousy auctiva template maybe? learn to write your own stuff in turbo lister, feel free to copy my code. My stuff isnt perfect yet, but it is never confusing. I honestly cannot think of one valid reason for anyone to use auctiva or any of that other auction helper crap. turns the whole description into a jumbled mess. jmo, i dont mean any offense by it.

 

[docsilvey]

I was definitely not trying to be deceptive in any way. Just plain laziness is all I can say as I already had scans of the other chrome cards and didn't want to have to rescan the whole set.
I definitely appreciate the criticism. That's why I posted this in the first place. It will definitely be put to good use. Thanks everyone...

 

[hofmichael]

I was definitely not trying to be deceptive in any way. Just plain laziness is all I can say as I already had scans of the other chrome cards and didn't want to have to rescan the whole set.
I definitely appreciate the criticism. That's why I posted this in the first place. It will definitely be put to good use. Thanks everyone...

Holy ****.You are one of the few that has taken criticism well.

 

[kentuckyderby]

Doc,
You are a first class seller and member to many message boards
No way you were being deceptive
Agree with your statement that maybe a little lazy not to change picture

Learning experience I suppose

 

[Card Magnet]

I do agree that the buyer needs to read the description. It's part of eBay's rules.

However, it's also their rules that the seller provide an accurate picture. Illustration purposes shouldn't mean that people are drawn in by a false photo.

 

[hive17]

I don't think you were too hard. I can appreciate laziness.

If you want to go a step further (and, actually FORCE people to read auction descriptions) just use a scan of the Bowman stickers. I don't have a problem when 20-lot sellers do that.

 

[BunchOBull]

I was definitely not trying to be deceptive in any way. Just plain laziness is all I can say as I already had scans of the other chrome cards and didn't want to have to rescan the whole set.
I definitely appreciate the criticism. That's why I posted this in the first place. It will definitely be put to good use. Thanks everyone...

I think anyone willing to out themselves in such a case is certainly not trying to scam anyone intentionally. Lesson learned. Though in this case, being that the lot was for such a low dollar amount, I'd probably refund the money and allow the buyer to keep the cards.