First Class Package Return Service - weight limit

[sellerfrom1998]

All the information I could find dates back a year or two stating that First Class Package Return Service labels have no weight limit (70 pound limit for all types of packages accepted by the USPS). The 16oz First Class limit supposedly does not apple to Return Service label packages.

Well, my local post office has been rejecting all my returns stating that First Class Package Return Service cannot be over the standard weight limit for First Class. I tell them to put it through the system anyway, and every time, the package comes back to me.

I called the USPS, spoke with many people, none of whom had a definitive answer. I finally spoke with someone who informed me that First Class Return Service Label cannot be used if the package is more than what is accepted by First Class mail. 

On this page:

https://www.usps.com/business/return-services.htm

"First-Class Package Return® Service is a smarter way for high-volume shippers to quickly receive lightweight (under 1 lb) documents or merchandise."

And on this page:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/505.htm

Section 3.1.3.b.2

"First-Class Package Service — Commercial prices are available for First-Class Package Return Service packages when all applicable requirements are met"

The agent I spoke with stated that "applicable requirements" refers to First Class requirements.

So, now my previous 2 returns have all been given First Class Return Service labels, even though both are about 3 pounds, and my post office is rejecting them. I also know that eBay generates the return labels automatically - there's no option to select the return service type.

In this type of situation, what is the proper way forward?

[pjcdn2005]

I can't give you an answer but hopefully someone else can.

@nobody*s_perfect 

@wastingtime101 

[dqdistribution]

If weight didn't matter then eBay wouldn't generate 2 types of labels for returns (First Class and Priority). eBay would just issue out First Class for all return service.

I'm guessing you are inputting incorrect weights in your listing. 

From my experience, eBay's generated return label is based on the weight from the listing. If you input 15.9 or less oz it will generate a first class, and anything 1 lb. or over it will generate a priority label.

All first class labels should follow the same rules regardless if it's a return service or not.

[qeqo_0]

'For any USPS Return Service, the permit holder e.g. eBay pays an average price per return label. 

The "postage calculation" is not based on weight, although weight factors into the "annual returns volume" to figure the average price to bill the permit holder.

When a label is mailed, regardless if the label weighs 1 ounce or 70 pounds -- every label is the same price. Note that eBay needs to drum up a huge number of labels to get that price, which is why eBay heavily encourages returns.

Your immediate solution is to scan your First-Class Return Service label at soft-serve ice cream kiosk at another post office 

then drop the label into that parcel bin. Longer term, contact the USPS Consumer Advocate in your area, to request retraining for your post office.

[myangelandmyprincess]

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/505.htm#ep1225056

Direct them here.  There is an agreement between them and the account holder if additional costs are needed they will bill them.  They should accept the package and not make it the customers issue. They would handle any issue with the account holder for returns service. 

[sellerfrom1998]

I did guide them to the 505 Return Services page. As stated in my original post,

Section 3.1.3.b.2

"First-Class Package Service — Commercial prices are available for First-Class Package Return Service packages when all applicable requirements are met"

The agent I spoke with stated that "applicable requirements" refers to First Class requirements.

My local branch is stating the same.

[sellerfrom1998]

Can we get an official answer from eBay. This seems like a huge issue for a lot of buyers and sellers. I even chatted with eBay support a few times, and they have no idea.

[dqdistribution]

What does eBay need to clarify?

The answer seems pretty straightforward and obvious.

If you are going to send incorrect labels because you are trying to nitpick verbiage then don't be surprised if packages come back to you. 

Not a big issue because most people use the proper labels.

[house*of*paws]

Hi @sellerfrom1998 

Sorry this is happening.  I've read a number of posts about local post offices not accepting eBay's return shipping labels because they don't realize that Priority Mail rates will be charged automatically if the weight exceeds the limit for First Class.

I would try dropping them off at another post office near you.  If they don't have any problem accepting the package ... then ask if they'd be willing to phone the Postmaster at your PO and explain the issue to them.

[sellerfrom1998]

HI @house*of*paws 

Thanks for the advice.

Since I'm a masochist, I went back to my branch, with a new Package Returns comparison list (thank you @qeqo_0 ) (https://www.usps.com/business/pdf/usps-package-returns-comparison-checklist.pdf)

I even highlighted the pertinent "average price" sections.

Any ways, long story short - the tellers teamed up against me, arms folded, and pretty much refused to listen to me. They even refused to look at the comparison chart I printed out. The end result was them saying "leave it here, it'll come back to you" so I left it there anyway.

@qeqo_0  - how do I go about finding the USPS Consumer Advocate in my area?

[buyselljack2016]

The last return that I did with an eBay "Firss Class Return Service" label was 4 pounds.

[buyselljack2016]

@sellerfrom1998 

Your local branch should be doing nothing other than smiling politely at their customers, scanning the package when accepting a "prepaid" package from a customer, and sending it upon its way.  The APV processing system will make any needed adjustments along the way.

Exception to that would be packages marked "Media Mail". They do have the authority to open/inspect such.

Find another office that knows how to do their job.

[stuff4divas]

@sellerfrom1998    here is an eBay community link to read, which shows the correct info>

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Ask-a-Mentor/Return-label-issue-First-Class-vs-Priority-Mail/td-p/3220...

@ferncliff-39  was marked as the best answer, but there are other answers that are also correct, first class return service good for up to 70 lbs, but not all clerks 'know' this

@disneyshopper  also answered correctly

[sellerfrom1998]

hi @stuff4divas 

Thanks - yes, I did read that thread, and others like it. They do date back over a year though, and I was curious if anything has changed. I also didn't have issues in the past until a few months ago.

I also read through that the return labels themselves have a note that packages can be up to 70lbs but return labels now don't say that which gives me the impression that something might have changed.

I can't believe eBay doesn't have a page with information on return shipping rates/labels.

[house*of*paws]

---

@sellerfrom1998 wrote:

HI @house*of*paws 

Thanks for the advice.

Since I'm a masochist, I went back to my branch, with a new Package Returns comparison list (thank you @qeqo_0 ) (https://www.usps.com/business/pdf/usps-package-returns-comparison-checklist.pdf)

I even highlighted the pertinent "average price" sections.

Any ways, long story short - the tellers teamed up against me, arms folded, and pretty much refused to listen to me. They even refused to look at the comparison chart I printed out. The end result was them saying "leave it here, it'll come back to you" so I left it there anyway.

@qeqo_0  - how do I go about finding the USPS Consumer Advocate in my area?

@sellerfrom1998 

I think we all need to learn when to step back and let a problem be solved by another source. 

Your local post office somehow has avoided learning about this label for TWO YEARS ... so I doubt that they suddenly will become willing to accept the advice of a 'civilian'. 

Surely there must be another post office nearby.