Posted 13 years ago
EvaDaBeada
(4 items)
I have an online shop and recently sold this item. Before I list my vintage and antique items, I always make sure to do extensive research on everything, but sometimes you can't always get all the information that you need. Based on the other sellers who sold this EXACT bank, this seemed to be 'cast iron' or so I assumed based on the other sellers listings and I advertised this as a cast iron bank and had it listed for $70, even though my research showed it had sold for a bit more on the other sites...(I try to give extremely fair pricing on my items) It actually sold and I shipped it to the customer.
To my dismay, the customer wrote and informed me that it was 'pot metal' and that she was a collector of cast iron toys and wanted to return it...I wanted to make the customer happy, so rather than having her ship it back to me, and trying t re-sell it, I asked what she felt was fair...she chose to be refunded $60 and ended up only paying $10 for it.
Because I was not sure if it was 'pot metal' or 'cast iron'..I felt terrible about advertising it as cast iron to begin with, so I refunded her, without doing more research first. After I refunded her practically the entire amount...my curiousity got to me and I found ths online:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Warner-Bros-1940s-BUGS-BUNNY-Pal-Daffy-Duck-Bank-Tree-/110673622523
As you can see....whether it is pot metal or cast iron...$199 is MUCH more than $10!!! I'm wondering if this was an intentonal scam by this individual...No biggie at this point, I'm just wondering if I truly did make a HUGE mistake?? Thoughts? Anyone familiar with old Warner Bros. collectibles or the difference between cast iron and pot metal?? Your advice and information is appreciated. Please only comment if you are genuinely giving me informative information...not criticism!! Thank you so much!!
You always have it returned to you. That way you have the item back and if you made a mistake it was a honest one and you have your item to resale. There are some people that knows what you are selling. When they receive it that is when you find out you listed it the wrong kind of metal.
Well, I've been tracking these for the last couple of years. I have Bugs and Elmer, and want the right Daffy to complete the trio (no interest in Beaky Buzzard or Sniffles, the other banks). I've been patiently waiting for an affordable one in good condition; too bad cash is too tight for me, one sold on eBay this morning for $30 + $9 shipping, fairly priced and only slightly better than yours.
Another minty one sat for a few months at $199 before it finally sold recently; if it had the box it would have gone for $350 .
I say, if she's a legit collector she should have been familiar with these before buying anyway. And yes, you should have had her return it to you. Sorry you had a bad and expensive experience.
I too am sorry that this has happened to you....I am sure that we all have had to 'live & learn', at some point in our lives!
As for future aspects, DEFINITELY have items returned promptly to you when customers are unhappy with the sale.....nascaronmain.com was right. I too sometimes sell items online and have learned from the pros to be sure to include a 'return policy statement', on ALL listings.
If you are selling items that are used (antiques/vintage, etc), I always put "ITEM IS SOLD AS IS ~ INTERESTED BIDDERS/BUYERS SHOULD REVIEW MY LISTING DETAILS AND IF HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT ME BEFORE BIDDING/BUYING".......That way there is no refunds on used items, UNLESS I MADE A MISTAKE IN LISTING OR INFORMATION OF THE ITEM. So, I agree with PostRetro, in that if she was so knowledgeable she should have known to ask in advance, etc.
For new items I just list the ordinary return policy ~ In which item must be returned within a specific ___ days. But, the buyer must contact you first and discuss their reason for wanting a refund/return, in the event that you can come to some kind of agreement/discount (without return of item), depending on their complaint. If you and purchaser cannot work out some kind of agreement/discount otherwise and item must be returned to you, do not refund anything, until the item is returned to you in it's original condition when it left your hands.
I usually then make sure to refund $ to customer within 24 hours of me receiving the returned item. ALL shipping costs are that of the buyer ~ that's standard practice!! Unless you advertised free shipping. In that instance free shipping is only free to get item sent to the customer ~ But, return shipping would be at buyers expense!
Again, so sorry for this instance happening to you!
Pictures and descriptions online come in varying qualities. I have had a few instances of not getting what was described and the flaws or issues were not visible in the photographs or explained in the description. I have received refunds and expect the seller to offer a refund.
Ebay/ paypal will afford you the protection of a refund EVEN IF THE SELLER STATES "AS IS OR ALL SALES FINAL" when the item is NOT as described.
As an online seller, and recognizing that it is sometimes hard to buy without seeing an item, I offer a refund (less postage) for ANY REASON as long as I am notified within three days of receipt. I offer a full refund PLUS postage, when I make the mistake.
I believe this policy enhances my selling reputation. I believe sellers with a liberal return policy will get more bidders. More bidders more than cancels out any inconvience caused by returns.
In fifteen years of online selling, I have had less than 10 returns.
Scott
This is definately is pot metal. I can understand if a collector of cast iron would be dissapointed. I don't think it was a scam. I commend you for the way you handled it. Although you could have refunded the purchase and shipping and got the bank back. I have sold a number of these over the years and have never gotten more than $50.00. As far as value you need to go by completed sales and not current listings. By the way to avoid similar problems a simple test is cast iron is magnetic, a magnet will stick to it. Pot metal or white metal a magnet will not stick. The good thing here is that your seller rating is intact and you learned something.