Return Shipping Reimbursement

[xemer-29]

Hi everyone. I recently purchased an item from an international seller. The item did not match the item description so I requested a return which was fortunately approved. The seller was unable to send me a return shipping label because it is an international return. To my knowledge, I am supposed to arrange for return shipping reimbursement prior to shipping out the item because after the item is received by the seller, the seller is not obligated by eBay to reimburse return shipping costs. This may very well be misinformation, but it is what I found out after doing some digging. It is my first time doing a return via eBay and I feel like I keep seeing conflicting information about return shipping reimbursement for international returns. I also found that I am supposed to request that the seller reimburse me for shipping costs via PayPal after receiving a shipping quote, which is what I did and I informed the seller of the return shipping cost. However, they told me the following, “As far as we've checked with Ebay, the system don't allow to arrange payment outside of Ebay system. Ebay didn't use PayPal as their main wallet for sellers anymore while buyer can still pay with PayPal. That's why stores could not refund via PayPal. At this point we will issue you refund then you can ship the item back to our store address.” I am not quite sure what to reply to the seller because the seller’s message seems to contradict what I know about return shipping reimbursement. I do not want to get eBay involved in case this misunderstanding is simply the result of misinformation on my behalf. I just want to make sure that I make the right decision since international shipping is quite expensive. Thank you in advance for any help. I really appreciate it.

[xadexane]

If you choose to buy your own return label when the seller is responsible for return shipping costs, in addition to no reimbursement, you won't get a refund if the return is not delivered.

But you are stalled: The seller has accepted the return, has not issued return shipping, and you must enter a return tracking number before the deadline.

Instead @xemer-29  leave a private message here for eBay on Facebook (or open an account just to contact eBay) and tell eBay that you need a return shipping label.

eBay will put the case on hold for 5 days for the seller to either refund outright no return needed, or send cash to pay for return shipping. If the seller does neither, eBay will force a refund no return needed.

[xadexane]

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@sapphire_studio wrote:

I may have read it wrong but I was understanding that they were still offering to pay him for the label but not through PayPal just by refunding him for the item (which I assume is a partial refund for the amount of the shipping cost)

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Perhaps check your math, @sapphire_studio.

If the seller refunds $40 of a $100 purchase to pay for return shipping --

how would they refund the $100 when the return arrives back? There's only $60 left.

[sapphire_studio]

They would simply refund the other $60 at that point

[xadexane]

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@sapphire_studio wrote:

They would simply refund the other $60 at that point

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Perhaps check your math, @sapphire_studio.

The buyer needs $40 for return shipping.

Plus a full refund of $100 for the return after it arrives back.

[sapphire_studio]

Oh yeah  I must be having a major brain fart I'm sorry. They would deserve the full $100 (on top of the $40).

 I don't offer International returns for this very reason but I have no idea what I would do in that scenario then because I don't have a PayPal account that I use. And it's not a requirement for eBay sellers to have one.

 Interesting dilemma for sure.

[pjcdn2005]

You have similar answers on your other thread.It's not necessary to ask the same question on two different boards. 🙂

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Returns/Return-Shipping-Reimbursement-from-International-Seller/m-p/33...

[mudshark61369]

@xemer-29,

One of the problems with buying from foreign sellers is the return shipping issue.  If all you did was to contact the seller, they cannot provide a return shipping label.  If you open a formal Item Not as Described (INAD) dispute, ebay can provide a return label for you.  

Since you did send the item back if you purchased a label with tracking you can upload the tracking number to the return, and if you have it you can also post a scan or clear photo of the postal receipt to the return as well, and when tracking shows delivered, the seller should initiate a full refund including the return shipping within a couple of days.  If you did not return the item with tracking, you will not be reimbursed for the return shipping. 

[myangelandmyprincess]

https://www.ebay.com/help/return-shipping-sellers/selling/return-shipping-sellers?id=4703

You're correct. 

Language barriers may make it difficult to purchase an international return label. If you’re unsure, try contacting the buyer to ask if they’ll purchase an international label on your behalf.

If they agree, you need to send funds to cover the cost. Ensure the buyer uses a tracked service and includes signature confirmation for items with a total cost of $750 or more.

Use the carrier’s shipping calculator to find out how much return shipping will cost. If you’re unable to determine the cost, contact the buyer and ask them to provide a quote.

Ensure that the amount includes tracking, and on items that that have a total cost of $750 or more, include signature confirmation.

How to send funds to the buyer:

Contact the buyer through eBay Messages, and ask how they would like to receive funds to purchase a return label.

Send the funds using the buyer's preferred method.

Ask the buyer to confirm that they’ve received the funds and to upload tracking to the return request so you can see that the item is on its way.

If the seller can't provide a label they need to send the funds to cover it using your preferred method.