Recently a customer purchased a custom order from me. I made the bracelet and shipped. She was thrilled and loved it. She asked for one modification on the clasp. I was willing to do the change free of charge and asked her to mail me the bracelet so I could modify it.

Customer mailed the package and notified me that she forgot to include her return address, did not use tracking and only used 3 stamps.

The package never made it back to me. I contacted the customer, just to confirm she mailed. She did and then blamed me for the lost package. She has sent me numerous nasty messages about the lost bracelet and how she does not have funds to purchase another.

Long story short: I want happy customers, I offered to make a replacement bracelet and send it to her, free of charge.

My question:
She said yes, however asked for a bracelet of a different length (2 inches smaller than original). What would you do?

My gut tells me she never mailed the bracelet back to begin with and wants a second, based on some strange comments in the messages. My gut tells me to stick to my guns and only replace EXACTLY what she originally purchased. FYI, this purchased happened over 90 days ago. Seller contacted me about modification about 2 months after purchase.
olganna
Inspiration Seeker

Re: First customer issue- advice needed

If you cancel the transaction she won't be able to leave feedback at all will she? Then you can make a clean break. Forget about thisone - she is not worth it.
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Pintody
Post Crafter

Re: First customer issue- advice needed

That transaction is over don't refund her a thing!
Tell her to make a claim at the post office. Since she mailed it it's her responsibility to get it to you. You can also file a claim with her address to see if it helps and tell her after she files the claim you can also do so.

She wants something completely different so it would be a return once you get the item back. No item no return. I did not look at your return policy but if there is a time limit I am sure it's up. Be nice when talking to her but be sure to follow your policy.
If she didn't send it you will not hear from her again after you tell her she must make the claim on her end. If she did send it she will go to the post office and do what she needs to so her item is returned. Talking to my post master she told me it is almost un heard of for an item to never get to it's destination or returned to sender. I know I had a letter that never made it to me for almost 3 months. In the mean time the sender sent me several other letters. It does sometimes get stuck some where.
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Re: First customer issue- advice needed

Jill- no she did not leave feedback. I don't think she will, she would take weeks to respond to my messages, always saying she is busy. She is also quickly approaching Etsy's deadline to leave feedback, 120 days I believe.

I plan to make a note of the customer name and not accept any future sales (doubt she'll make any).
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Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: First customer issue- advice needed

you should really still cancel that transaction, if she does leave negative feedback, you will be surprised how long it takes to get your rating back up. I have had one person leave unnecessary negative feedback when I was just starting to be active with my shop and it knocked my rating down to 80%, it takes forever to get that rating back up-if you think getting sales is tough- it is really tricky to get all of your customers to leave feedback for you- even if they love something you made. I would say 1 in 3 people don't leave feedback at all- but they will definitely make a point of doing so if they are disappointed in any way.

CANCEL IT!
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JillAllenDesign
Inspiration Seeker

Re: First customer issue- advice needed

Not sure if it is against any Etsy rule, but to bad you can't post her name everywhere on here for others to be aware.
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JillAllenDesign
Inspiration Seeker

Re: First customer issue- advice needed

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Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: First customer issue- advice needed

Wow. . . She lost it. . . .She doesn't get a replacement. If her story is true. . .it would usually arrive with postage due. Or you would get a card stating such to come pick it up. . .
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Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: First customer issue- advice needed

I noticed you updated us a couple days ago saying that you offered to make her a new bracelet that you're charging her for, and shipping for free. What happened with this?

She's the type of person that I'd be leery about even doing THAT for. What happens if she agrees to this, purchases it - and then decides to leave you negative feedback on that one?

If I were in your shoes, I'd let her know that you're sorry for her unfortunate lack of judgement but you are uncomfortable with doing business with her in the future. I wouldn't want her buying anything else in my shop. She sounds like a scammer and someone that might leave you negative feedback that is out of turn.
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Re: First customer issue- advice needed

Interesting I have a customer that purchased a while ago and wants a modification. I told them to make sure to send it insured.
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Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: First customer issue- advice needed

had a customer recently who purchased one of my signs. She said it arrived with a smudge but not a bad one, nothing to worry about. This was my second sale, so I offered to replace it, but did not hear from her for 3 weeks and then she wanted it replaced. Although I thought it was unfair since she removed the cording and put nails in the holes to attach to her house, I was still willing to replace it. She asked if I wanted the original back and I said, absolutely, but since most of my work is ooak, it would take a few days to have it done. She replied right away but said she didn't want me to go through all that and didn't want to mail it back. I responded, back that I accept her decision. She left me a neutral feedback 3 weeks later. I'm thankful it was not negative, but I went out of my way to replace it but I wanted the original back to see what condition it was in. I know how you feel!
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