What to do when a buyer order is inspected by post office and returned for improper postage option?

Question

I just had a return of eight items packed in stiff envelopes that were sent by Media Mail through the post office. They inspected one and returned them all as not being eligible. They were comics and the only real reason they returned them is because they are periodicals with advertising. An actual thin book would have been eligible. It is a remarkably stupid policy as the weight and size of either is the same and I have no understanding of why old advertisements matter anymore, if at all. Anywa...

cmgl · Answer

I have decided to cancel the shipping labels and purchase new ones with appropriate shipping method. Doing so through Ebay is far cheaper than Post Office.

cmgl · Answer

Thank you!

However -

"It's 'a remarkably stupid policy' of the United States Postal Service. We are all bound by those policies when we use the USPS."

Yes, but I, and many others over the years, have shipped medial mail. In this case, I also shipped three larger packages that did go by media mail without issue or inspection. My point is that it is fairly senseless. UPS does not due this and bases cost on size and weight for most anything. What does content have to do with that?

"'Can, or should, I ask buyer to pay through Paypal, which I still have, and if willing to do so, or does Ebay have a way to request additional payment?' Again: eBay does not allow you, the seller, to request additional payment from your buyer -- through any funding source -- for a mistake that is truly your own."

I offered Ground Advantage to buyers in my listings and noted it is faster plus insured up to $100. They chose media mail, so they can be held equally responsible. Again, many have got away with it for years (and continue to do so) and that is the post office's fault too.

"If you relist the comics, however, you cannot necessarily expect that the same person will buy them again, from that listing. "

Yes, I know, but there is a possible way around that, if you think about. It is still risky for the buyer though.

Finally, in my case, personally, tax deductions do not apply.

Thanks again.

monroe67 · Answer

"I just had a return of eight items packed in stiff envelopes that were sent by Media Mail through the post office. They inspected one and returned them all as not being eligible. They were comics and the only real reason they returned them is because they are periodicals with advertising. An actual thin book would have been eligible. It is a remarkably stupid policy as the weight and size of either is the same and I have no understanding of why old advertisements matter anymore, if at all." It's "a remarkably stupid policy" of the United States Postal Service. We are all bound by those policies when we use the USPS.

"Anyway, for the buyer, how do I ask for additional postage to cover Ground Advantage for the item, if they still want it?" You don't. eBay does not allow you to ask for additional postage.

"If the order is canceled, as well as the shipping label, can I resend a new invoice? I see no mention of that in Ebay's policies." No, you cannot resend a new invoice. eBay's policies prevent you, the seller, from asking your buyer to pay any additional money once that buyer has paid through eBay and you've been given eBay's OK to ship to item(s) to that buyer.

"Can I do the same simply refunding the order?" That may be your best course of action. If you relist the comics, however, you cannot necessarily expect that the same person will buy them again, from that listing.

Also, cancelling and refunding the order will earn you a Defect on your selling history, which will be effective for one full calendar year. If you only have this one Defect, you can continue your selling activities without penalty from eBay. Too many Defects and you could earn yourself a complete suspension from eBay.

"Can, or should, I ask buyer to pay through Paypal, which I still have, and if willing to do so, or does Ebay have a way to request additional payment?" Again: eBay does not allow you, the seller, to request additional payment from your buyer -- through any funding source -- for a mistake that is truly your own.

"Any other methods or ideas would also be appreciated. / I have no intention of simply paying the additional postage through my own funds as I am not out to lose money. I would sooner cancel/refund and then auction them again."
Well, eBay's procedures essentially require you to "simply pay[] the additional postage through [your] own funds."

It may not help you right now, but I assure you you are not the first eBay seller to make the mistake of using an incorrect shipping method and having to pay more. Granted, this is a very expensive lesson to learn. But you're likely to remember the lesson and not make the mistake again.

One other upside is that the additional postage you will have to pay may possibly be deductible as a business expense when you are preparing your 2025 income tax return(s) early next year.