Last week I sold a pair of pants I purchased at a yard sale. Nice pants, easy sale and good profit. What else could you ask for ?
Well, apparently a button. I religiously check what I buy. I check when I buy, when I wash, when I fold, when I photograph and before I ship. You would think that I would have found that button. Well, the button that wasn't there.
This button was on the inside and there were two hooks on the outside at the zipper opening. I don't know how I missed it. Maybe because it wasn't there. But I did miss it. Maybe the reason I missed that button was because the day I processed those pants I had 56 pair that I measured and photographed. I don't know, but it was my fault.
Anyway the buyer opened a case for not as described and wanted a replacement or money back. In her message to me about the case she said she didn't want to return the pants because she liked them, they fit, and she would sew the button on herself. She just wanted me to know that the button was missing.
OK...why couldn't she tell me that instead of opening a case?
I responded with an apology, explained my inspection process, (or lack of, in this case) and another apology and asked if I could do anything to make it right.
Well, of course I could. She wanted $5 for the trouble of finding a button, finding a needle and thread, and sewing it on. Really? OK...fine.
She closed the case. She left positive feedback and end of story.....I hope.
But, damn, that is one expensive button.
Then I got out the calculator. If it took her a maximum of 5 minutes to find the button, thread and sew it on her rate of pay would be $60 per hour. Even if it took her 10 minutes, that would be $30 per hour. Maybe I need to rethink my career choices.
Know anyone that needs any buttons professionally attached? I have my own thimble.
Maybe she had to go buy a button? (not sure how much they cost :D )
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up I learned to sew and when I was in high school I made most of my clothes, including my 2 prom dresses. I just assume every household has buttons and thread and know how to use them. I guess that isn't always the case.
DeleteIf it was me, it would probably take longer than 10 minutes! I'd have to search high and low for that thread that I know I just put here somewhere, and then of course find the needle in the haystack...but I do have tons of buttons to choose from...of course then I would get side-tracked and start sorting buttons, and maybe have to take pictures of some, and then list them....yes, it would definitely take me longer than 10 minutes....ha! (just trying to be funny :) I hope you still made a profit after taking off another $5.00? She should have just contacted you first! ~~Pam
ReplyDeleteAnother case for an argument with ebay. It is easier to open a case than to talk to the seller.
DeleteI am considering some sort of note to mass print & include with all packages with my email address asking them to contact me directly first so I don't get dings to my account status over things that can be handled without ebay intervention. The dings to your dashboard for cases add up fast. I just am not sure how I want to word it.
ReplyDeleteI've thought of that too and wonder if buyers read any of the messages that are inserted into packages. I always include a packing slip with each item I ship. I'm always afraid of the poly bag getting torn and the label getting ripped off. I always write thank you on the bottom with a reminder to leave feedback. I hope they read it. I think something simple, without a lot of words, but to the point would work.
DeleteI bought some stickers to put on my package that says "Questions about your order? Please select contact seller and choose OTHER as the topic." then I hand write thank you
DeleteI fess up that I never learned to sew. My sisters did, but I was always outside playing sports. However, one thing I learned from sports is that if you have a beef with someone, you don't whine to someone else. You sort it out with them & then it's done.
ReplyDeleteI know I should have learned to sew. So, I made sure my daughter can sew (thanks 4H) & she also played sports.
jak
I don't have any buttons so I probably would have returned them if the button was important in keeping my pants closed. (sometimes you dont actually need it if it has a hook closure thing)
ReplyDelete