Is There Any Way to Avoid a Defect?

[sylviebee]

I sold an item and while I was wrapping it to ship; I damaged the item.

I've contacted the buyer several times and no response.

I don't think there's any way to avoid a defect, but f I issue a refund is that an automatic defect? 

[recped]

It's an "out of stock" defect. the only way to avoid it is to lie.

It's a lie you might not get away with.

[sylviebee]

Thanks.  that's what I thought.

If I send a request to cancel with the option that buyer requested the cancellation without giving  the buyer the head's up she might deny the request.

(I've offered to sell at half price as it's still a nice item so it wouldn't be a total lie.)

I have no defects (yet) so it's not a big deal but still a little stressful.  Hate this kind of thing and it's one of those days.

[ricarmic]

Depending on where they are, if they're in a phonable place in North America, I would phone them.  That would be faster and much much more likely to end well..... you're taking ownership for the problem and that will help a lot. If a partial refund fixes it then you are golden! 

If not, it really is just a "cost" (ie the defect) of doing business, until we're all replaced by robots we'll all suffer from human error from time to time....

[sylviebee]

Thanks.  Just one of those days.  I go months and months with no problems and then suddenly have 2 in one morning.  

[pjcdn2005]

Have you tried contacting them through their Paypal and/or eBay email?  They may be more likely to check that then to check eBay messages.

[sylviebee]

Yes, I tried that and no response there either.

BTW:  I also had a request for a return this morning and tried printing a label thought the USPS site as we discussed another time and it can't be done.

While the site allowed me to open an account with my Canadian address, it won't actually allow me to use the account because it's not a US address.

I suppose it could be done if one is creative enough.

[pjcdn2005]

It says that the address is not in the U.S. But when I did a test and changed the sender address to the buyers US address that message went away.  I'm not sure though if it will accept payment from an account with a Canadian address.

[sylviebee]

I tried that but continued to get the same message.

It might be possible to register with an American address to get around that issue but as you said payment might be yet another sticking point.

If it comes up again I might try registering with an American address.

[pjcdn2005]

When I try it, it doesn't look like that message means a whole lot as it still lets me fill out the info, pick a service etc. But until someone actually tries to actually pay and print a label we won't know if how much the registration address matters.

[sylviebee]

I did try to print the label and couldn't.