Item damaged during packaging

lulu650

I sold a vintage skin handbag as BIN. All great stuff. Immaculate condition, just packing today and splashed some tea on a corner. Wiped and cleaned it off but thought I'd dry it off with a hairdryer.

Worst mistake ever!! Completely ruined it!!

I've tried adding copious amounts of leather cream but it appears to be burnt and is discoloured.

I've reimbursed the buyer with many apologies and opened a case to reclaim my ebay fees. I've just noticed that if he declines then I can't reclaim my ebay fees. Anyone had problems like this before.......not necessarily with a handbag

sharpy2010

Why would he decline? If the handbag, in effect, has ceased to exist, then surely they would accept a cancellation for an item they can't possibly receive?

Hermione_Granger

sharpy2010 wrote: »

Why would he decline?

Possibly because he thinks that the OP didn't get enough for the bag and has made up a story about the damage as an excuse not to sell.

Don't get me wrong here. I'm in no way implying that this is the case, but it does happen and the buyer may think that this what has occurred here.

lulu650

That was my query really and just checking that's the correct procedure. Why would a buyer decline? I can't think of any reason, so don't understand why there is an option for it.

I'm still so annoyed with myself.

Just seen the above post, just to confirm again from my original post it was a Buy It Now. A high(ish) price to start with and then I was going to add a best offer.

I was wondering whether I should send a photo of the damage but was concerned it made me look like a right pillock and not sure if that was overkill. There were a dozen photos on the listing to show it was immaculate.

mrs.way

Hiya, just an idea. What if you take a photo of the damage and email it to him so he knows you aren't letting him have it for a cheaper price or whatever? xxx

mrs.way

That is worded wrong - I meant so that he knows you aren't trying to cancel the sale because you didn't get as much money as you hoped for!! xxx

lulu650

But I did get as much money as I'd hoped for. I was very pleased:(

But yes, I take your point. It maybe could be sold for more from a specialist shop. I'll wait for a response to my email and take a photo ready to send if he's not happy.

Thanks for quick replies

lovinituk

Offer it to them for a reduced price and send photos of the condition it is in now. At least if they say no they will know you were not lying, particularly as you have the 'before' photos in the listing.

yeslek

wouldnt it have been better to send a picture to the buyer and offering a discount IF they still wanted it in that newly damaged condition?
give them the choice instead of you just deciding they wouldnt want it as now it 'can' look like your just trying to cop out of the sale (as mentioned above)

I've had similar problems with boxed items that sold, then getting them out of storage only to see a missing/broken/damaged part. I've always contacted the buyer first and gave the the choice. You'd be surprised how many will still want the item, even with the minor damage.

RainbowDrops

Hermione_Granger wrote: »

Possibly because he thinks that the OP didn't get enough for the bag and has made up a story about the damage as an excuse not to sell.

Don't get me wrong here. I'm in no way implying that this is the case, but it does happen and the buyer may think that this what has occurred here.

The OP said it was sold BIN, so they chose the price already!

lulu650

The handbag is seriously damaged. It now has what looks like a long burn mark on it. I'd be too embarassed to ask if they would like to offer a reduced price and will just bin it.

He agreed to a mutual and I've just sold another BIN at a vg price. I shall NOT be even thinking of having a cuppa while packaging that item or any other item ever again. Lesson learnt