USPS Flat Rate shipping trap?
I live in Florida and I list a 35 pound set of soft scuba dive weights and a guy in Hawaii buys them. I ship them to him in a medium USPS flat rate box for $17. He decides he doesn't like the color of the mesh bags so he wants to send them back as item not as described. So he packs them up in the same flat rate box and prints out a return shipping label. What happens at this point? When the label is scanned by the post office will they see that it is a medium flat rate box and charge the same $17 return shipping (doubtful), or will I have to pay the Ground Advantage price for a box of that weight and dimensions which is currently around $110? This is a hypothetical since I have not had any weights actually returned, but I'm wondering what would happen. Seems like things could get ugly if a seller wasn't aware of how it worked.
bdmh-enterprises
·4 months agoThe return labels use a rate specifically negotiated for returns. eBay will choose the lowest cost carrier for the return, almost always lower than the original shipping cost and if the return will cost more than the item, eBay won't even issue a label.
There is no weight or dimensions associated with a return label and I'm 98% sure it's fine for the buyer to put a GA Return label on a priority box as long as that was the original shipping container (they can't get a new PM box for it).
ryry-jj
·4 months agoWhen we send a return label we need to provide a usable label option. I think it would be best to state in your description a return process that mentions all returns must be shipped back in original shipping "flat rate" container. However if they don't, the seller will be responsible if the return is for INAD. eBay will side with the buyer for the refund. The label you send may be for flat rate, but if they don't put it in a flat rate box, you will be on the hook.
Some companies provide return packaging, or instruction in the shipment. Could a knocked down flat rate box be included in the shipment to ensure they use one if a return is needed? I think they are still no cost at USPS, aren't they?
stainlessenginecovers
·4 months agoI do know if you have RMA's required, the 'return' is NOT automatic (even NAD); seller has to 'input' an RMA (although there it now shows 'optional) but....
Seller also chooses the return label
USPS
Fedex
There is no amount shown. Even though it originally shipped USPS (and could be a MFRbox), still gives the seller the option.
So the answer is; you will ONLY know when it happens.
soh.maryl
·4 months agoIsn't "doesn't like the color" considered a "remorse return"?
cris-and-kimmie
OP4 months agoOk, let's try "the weights don't match my other ones as they appear in the listing." Or how about, "These must be a lead alloy because the bags are larger than my other ones." The truth is, as we all know, that a buyer can use anything as an "item not as described" claim and that's the end of it. I was just thinking about how a vengeful buyer who was, let's say, refused a partial refund was told by the seller to just sent the weights back, and intentionally stuck the flat rate label sent to him by the seller onto a regular box with the weights inside, causing the shipping to default to regular priority mail and costing the seller a bundle. Just a thought.
cris-and-kimmie
OP4 months agoI'm surprised nobody from eBay has posted a definitive answer to this. This one has the potential to screw an unsuspecting seller really badly.
fern*wood
·4 months agoEbay rarely posts answers here. I can give you my experience in case it helps. If you purchase your initial label through ebay, they claim to not charge us more than the original cost for the return label. This has been my experience. The return labels are not set up with the same rules as our labels, which has meant it doesn't matter what box size/weight the buyer uses as long as they attach the provided return label.
kensgiftshop
·4 months agoAs long as they use a med. flat rate box, the cost should be the same.