Sending a return label with the original item?
Summary: donnajosbooks inquired about sending a return shipping label with items sold through eBay, specifically facing issues when using FedEx. They expressed frustration over high retail shipping rates for returns and sought suggestions for cost-effective solutions. kensgiftshop and rfmtm advised waiting until a return request is made to purchase a label and recommended using third-party services like PirateShip for better rates. christworks discussed differences in return shipping costs and warned about potential misuse of pre-sent labels. donnajosbooks is considering contacting eBay for clarification on label creation issues.
How do I send a return shipping label along with the original item I sold? Two items I sent with FedEx will not let me create a return label so I am left having to buy the return label with FedEx which is a much higher rate than I paid to ship the item to the buyer. Why can't I buy the return label with eBay's discounted rates if I send the item with FedEx?
And what does eBay expect me to do - eat the cost of the retail shipping rate for returns????? It's not even worth it to get the item back.... but that isn't very fair to me either especially since one of those returns is because the buyer "just doesn't need it anymore". Grrrr....
There has to be a better way! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Donna Jo
donnajosbooks
OP2 weeks agoThanks all for the input! I talked to an eBay representative. It appears the problem might be that my return address is a P.O. Box and FedEx cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes. So I asked the Post Office if I could use their address with my P.O. Box as if it was an apartment number. The Post Office said yes! So I just need to use my local Post Office address with Unit XXXX and FedEx will be able to deliver my returns to my post office. Hopefully, this solves the problem!
rfmtm
·3 weeks agoYou always have the option to supply your own return label when a Return Request is made. Just click that option and enter your own tracking number.
I first would stop using ebay FedEx (or ebay UPS) in the first place as there are just too many problems and overcharges ,and with ebay in the middle even the simplest of them is hard to correct.
If you really want to include a pay-on-use return label, open a free PirateShip account and link it to ebay. Better rates and better service, but only USPS and UPS.
donnajosbooks
OP3 weeks agoYes, I know I can supply my own return label with a return but I don't get the discounted rate that eBay has contracted. I cannot afford that.
Thanks for the suggestion about PirateShip; I will check that out.
christworks
·3 weeks ago · Edited@donnajosbooks You are misunderstanding how return labels work. The cost for a return label is never going to be the same cost you paid for the label on eBay to send the item to the buyer. The cost may be similar, it could be more or it could be less. Returns fall under a different contract and different price structure no matter the carrier.
If you insisnt on wasting the time, money and resoruces sending return labels with your orders, you can buy shipping labels through Piriate Ship as a discount. Again, I cannot understand why you want to do this when the return labels from eBay work just fine.
donnajosbooks
OP3 weeks agoBecause sometimes eBay doesn't give the option to create a return shipping label! It does not always work fine on certain orders, as I stated in my OP.
christworks
·3 weeks agoDoes ebay give you a message that you cannot create a return label for you order and that you must buy it elsewhere? What type of returns are we talking about. Something is missing here.
donnajosbooks
OP3 weeks agoYes, but only with items I shipped with FedEx. The ones shipped with USPS, I am given the option to buy the label through eBay.
I am going to call eBay today and ask them why that is so.
kensgiftshop
·3 weeks agoWhy do you need to send a return label with the order?
If buyer wants to return an item, they can get a shipping label when they file for a return.
If you want to send a shipping label, you have to buy it outside of Ebay .
donnajosbooks
OP3 weeks agoI want to send a return shipping label with the order because sometimes eBay won't let me buy a return label after a return is requested.
So I guess my real question is does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with a return label when eBay does not give the option of buying the label through eBay with their discounted rate?
This only seems to happen with items sent with FedEx. I ship most of my items with Ground Advantage. But when the item is big and /or heavy, FedEx is the best rate .... and Ground Advantage is outrageously high.
Also, I don't get very many returns. Just when the item is very big and/or heavy and I get a return, I don't want to have to pay the retail shipping price in order to get the item back! And I don't want to just let the buyer keep the item either. I have resold perfectly good items that customers returned because "it didn't fit" (one was a paintball marker .... is he wearing it????) or "I don't need it anymore".
mkaczorsee
·3 weeks agoIf you don’t get many returns you do not need to buy a return shipping label until the buyer requests a return. Why spend the money on a label that buyer may or may not use?
donnajosbooks
OP3 weeks agoReturn shipping labels aren't paid for unless they are used.
christworks
·3 weeks ago@donnajosbooks You do realize a buyer could cross out the addresses and use the tracking number to ship their own package somewhere. Guess who will get charged for that? You. This is a bad idea you have.
donnajosbooks
OP3 weeks agoI haven't done this. I am asking for advice! Instead, you scold me. Don't respond if you aren't going to be helpful.
christworks
·3 weeks agoYou came here for advice. I gave it to you. I realize I did not tell you what you want to hear, but that's not my style.
I volunteer my time to help others. You need to show some appreciation. I'm giving you another chance. Snap at me again, and I will move on to someone else and you continue down this road that does not make sense.