How do I send a return label to a customer?

[hootch52]

I sent the wrong item to my customer, I want it returned, and I will ship the correct item out (I am paying for all of the shipping).  How do I send them a label to ship the item back to me, without doing a return in the system?

[wooden_flower]

You have to create the return label outside of eBay - you can do that through paypal.  Print the label to a jpeg and pdf file.  Send the buyer the jpeg through an eBay message. 

If he isn't able to print it correctly, send him the pdf - either ask for his email address, or check the order detail page for the masked email address.  The masked address is available for 14 days after purchase and can be used to send a file that can't be sent through a message.

[hootch52]

@wooden_flower , Perfect!  Thank you.  Do you feel your suggestion is better than having the customer start a return and I will issue a return label through Ebay?  Ebay just told me on the telephone this is their way to do it.

[wooden_flower]

The problem is that the return system does not handle an exchange at all.  When you receive the return, eBay expects you to issue a refund, and will issue it for you, if the buyer doesn't close the return. 

So you can't wait and ship the replacement when you receive the wrong item back - it only has the possibility of working if you ship the replacement first, then the buyer returns the original shipment.

The only completely safe way to handle it is to have the buyer return the item they received for a refund.  Then you relist the item they purchased, and they buy it again.  It depends a lot on what kind of item it is - with low fraud items it is safe to send the replacement and send a label outside of eBay.  If the item is expensive or electronics, I would go the safe route.