Shipping a return in different packaging
Summary: A participant initiates a discussion about the possibility of shipping a return in different packaging. christworks responds, possibly addressing certain concerns or clarifying the process, prompting a follow-up response from kath23203. The conversation continues with additional input from christworks. Separately, ryry-jj also mentions relevant information or shares an opinion on this topic. The dialogue reflects an interest in understanding the policies or implications of returning items in non-original packaging.
I ordered a pre-owned clothing item and the condition was not as described, so I opened a return for INAD. It was mailed in a polyethylene bag that I had to tear open in order to get the item, so the shipping bag was not reusable. I also threw it away because I didn't think I'd need it. However, I'm reading comments here saying buyers are supposed to return items in the original shipping container. How is this possible when it was shipped in a poly bag that cannot be reused?
Ebay's return instructions also now specifically state to return the item in a box. Is this a new requirement? Will I get my full refund for INAD if I return the item in a well packaged box even though I no longer have the poly bag it came in? Will the size of the box affect my refund (I only have a large box)?
ryry-jj
·4 months agoShip it in whatever you have that is approved packaging material based on the carrier used. Best would be a box.
christworks
·4 months ago@kath23203 You do not have to reuse the exact bag or box. You do need to make sure it is secure, and send back any packing materials that were used.
For instance, when I send clothing out, the article of clothing is in a protective bag that is sealed to ensure that it stays clean and no moisture gets inside to the clothing. The clothing - inside that bag - is then placed into a polybag. That's how my buyers get most clothing from me.
If you were my buyer and were returning a clothing item to me, even under INAD conditions, I would expect you to put the clothing back in the inner bag I sent it in, then use your own polybag or box. In fact, I know my buyers have to tear the polybag to get into it. I would not want them trying to resuse it and tape it shut as that runs the risk of getting caught in the sorting machines during transit back.
If eBay tells you to use a box, then I'd use a box. I don't know that sellers know buyers see that message (I didn't), but I'd always recommend following what eBay tells you so that the seller doesn't have a reason to withhold any of your funds. By the way, this assumes they are able to do that. Not all sellers meet the qualification to withold parts of refunds. Even if they can't, they can still report buyers who abuse the return process and that can create account problems down the line if eBay sees a pattern.
I'll give you an example of how not to send it back. Last year a buyer sent back a pair of plus size jean shorts in an 8x10 inch minila mailer. Not only were the shorts way too big for the size of the mailer, a paper mailer is not meant for clothing. Even worse, the shorts were not in any type of protective bag. By the time I received the shorts back, they were partially damaged from the USPS machines and they were dirty. I withheld 50% of the buyers refund, the maximum allowed. The buyer left me negative feedback for "stealing" her refund and appealed to eBay. The buyer lost their appeal and I had the negative feedback removed. That was on top of me reporting her account to eBay for return abuse. In this situation, I would be happy if a buyer simply put the clothing in a clean, dry grocery bag, tied it, then put it into a box or polybag.
Another bad return example from this year. A buyer bought a DVD player from me. Just like with clothing, I put the DVD player into a sealed bag to protect it from dust and moisture. I then wrap it in 3 layers of bubble wrap, then it goes inside the box with other packing materials so that it arrives as described. The buyer opened up a return on it. I told them to repack it how I had it. They sent it back in the box, loose, unprotected, with none of the packing materials. I understand a buyer may toss out the original packing materials, but if they do that and then open a return, they need to go find some packing materials somewhere and repack the item correctly. At least make an effort.
The buyer is responsible for returning items as you received them. If the clothing came unprotected, then toss it in a box or a new polybag and send it back like that.
The size of the box will not impact your refund. Sellers are responsible for all INAD return labels. Remember, if a seller withholds part of your refund, they must explain why and provide a photograph. If something does not sit right with you, you can ask eBay to step in before you accept the refund.
Try not to stress. The fact that you are concerned tells me you care and I know you will make sure it is done correctly. I wish all buyers were like you.
kath23203
OP4 months agoThank you very much for your reply, I really appreciate it. I do care about doing this correctly! I had read on other forums that the boxes could not exceed the size and weight limits of the shipping label, but the one that was sent to me doesn't have that information on it. Just that it's ground advantage. I know my box would exceed whatever the seller paid on the polybag they used and I worried it would be a problem to use a larger than necessary box just because that's all I have.
christworks
·4 months agoReturn shipping labels are different than the shipping labels we buy to send out orders. USPS has a return services label. eBay charges the seller a flat rate for that label, which is almost always cheaper than the price of the original shipping label. Even if you use a larger box, the label should be cheaper than what they paid to ship it to you in the polybag. Even if it isn't, the seller is still responsible for covering the entire label cost and they cannot withhold any of your refund for that reason.