Not profitable transaction

[uk_ulik]

Hi

I recently sold a brooch for a small amount of money, having listed it as costume jewellery. However, while preparing the parcel, I discovered that the brooch is actually made of 9ct gold.

I'm unsure how to proceed in this situation. Should I cancel the order or go ahead and send the item to the buyer? What would be the possible consequences of cancelling the order at this stage?

I would appreciate your guidance on the best course of action.

Thank you.

[**peaseblossom**]

As far as ebay is concerned you are supposed to honour the transaction and if you cancel you risk receiving negative feedback.   But you might decide it's worth it.   You could explain your dilemma to the buyer.   They may be understanding and agree to cancel.   It's up to you in the end.

[uk_ulik]

Thank you

[*vyolla*]

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@uk_ulik wrote:

What would be the possible consequences of cancelling the order at this stage?

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In theory, the buyer could take legal action against you if you don't honour the sale. I've seen this happen a couple of times. 

[plpmr]

Indeed more likely as the OP is a business seller who sells lots of jewellery. 

[papso22]

Is it really 'non profitable', or just not as profitable as you now realise it could have been?

I bet you didn't buy it as gold.

[red_magpie]

Should I cancel the order or go ahead and send the item to the buyer?

You know the answer. Your buyer has bought and paid for this brooch and it's now rightly theirs.

Of course you should send it, as you agreed in the user agreement.

As for the possible consequences if you don't, ironically they have become potentially much more serious as a result of asking this question here. If you has said nothing and simply invented some excuse to cancel the sale your buyer would have been none the wiser and the worst that could have happened would have been negative feedback and an account defect.

Now however you have placed it in the public domain that you discovered the greater value of this brooch before posting it. If you now fail to honour the sale I think the buyer could have a good legal case for damages for breach of contract. Which would not reflect well on your ethics as a business seller.