Help! What do I do? Someone bought an item reserved for someone else!!

[Former_Member]

We have an item we custom made (marked in the description) that we reserved for Andy H (marked at the beginning of the title) pendant that is our prize piece. We listed it in the store to show it off, "knowing" that no one would buy it if it was marked so. Someone who *just* joined Etsy *today* BOUGHT it!! Ack!

This is a OOAK piece, because of the watch parts that go into it, though they *are* mostly covered in crystals. Dave has the parts to create another, almost identical, piece, but it would take a couple days, maybe longer if he doesn't have the right parts (he's checking, now).

What do I tell her when I write her? The piece is not needed until November 1, so I have time to get it to the person it is reserved for (which is a trade kind of deal, not a cash purchase). Do we contact the customer it was made for and ask if it is okay to sell this one? Do we just tell her she needs to wait for us to make another? Help! I'm panicking!!

If you need to see it, this is the item in question (not sure if you can see it, since it is in a state of being purchased): www.etsy.com/transaction/93963911

[MollyFinds]

You are able to cancel the transaction, maybe contact them first and ask if you can make a ooak for them>

[AnimalFancy]

Obviously this person is not "Andy H," so you could just tell the customer that he/she just purchased an item reserved for someone else and tell them you would be happy to make another just for them, although it might take more time. If this isn't agreeable to the customer, then offer a refund.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I would suggest that you ask the new customer if they mind waiting until you can make them the new one, explaining that this one was sold and is on reserve for someone else. People are generally patient especially if they really want the item.

[Former_Member]

Convo the customer and tell them that the item was reserved for somebody, and offer to make them a nearly identicle piece if they wish. From now on, capitalize the reserved part, and put watermark on the from picture saying reserved. Next time, too, you might consider not adding additional tags so that way fewer people will find the piece.

[Former_Member]

Like everyone above, I would convo the customer and let them know it was a reserved listing. I would tell them that you must cancel the sale, but you would be happy to create a custom piece for them.

In the future, you might want to write Reserved in really big letters over the pictures in your reserved listings... and also make the title nothing but "Reserved For So and So"

[Former_Member]

Oh! Good idea, Nicolette! I'll have to check into how to watermark things! I *wanted* people to find it and see it as an example of the work Dave does. I've never had (nor heard of anyone having) a problem with people buying "reserved" items. :~/

Thank you all!!

[Former_Member]

Convo the buyer and cancel the transaction.

Inform the buyer you can put up a customlisting for them.

[Former_Member]

Wow, it's a really pretty piece, I can see why you had "problems" selling it. I agree with everyone else. Explain it was for someone else, and you are more than happy to set up their own "reserved" listing. :)

[Former_Member]

The new customer cancelled the order after all. :~/ Lesson learned with costly fees, but I'm better prepared in case it happen again. :~) Thank you, everyone!

[3friendssignature]

What a nice problem to have... solvable though. Wow... what great advice you received.
Best wishes, everyone!

[artangel]

Do we contact the customer it was made for and ask if it is okay to sell this one?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It should definitely go to the person you made/reserved it for.

I'd contact the new buyer and explain the item they bought was reserved for someone else, then offer to make them something as similar as possible.

With any luck you'll end up with 2 sales :)