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?

[sellerfrom1998]

You're absolutely right @house*of*paws 

I guess I just feel short on time (with a young child, household income provider, etc). The second closest post office is an additional 20 minutes away, which might not be that much in the grand scheme of things, but it adds up if I have to make that trip more than once.

I really wish my local branch would improve, but they have a 1.5 rating on Google Maps (their telephone number also hasn't worked in 7+ years)

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Can just imagine the fun to be had at that PO in July when FCP changes to Ground Advantage.

[ferncliff-39]

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@stuff4divas wrote:

@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

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@stuff4divas  My response is from almost 2 years ago and since then we've learned that First Class RTN labels are not good for up to 70 lbs., only to 16 oz - we've all been spreading incorrect information on this for years.

This is an explanation from Velvet last year on a case where the seller used Flat Rate shipping, no wt/dim in their shipping and eBay issued a FC return label instead of Priority:

I was told that we will do our best to match the shipping option originally used for the return label (USPS or FedEx), but we can only provide them for items that weigh up to 70 lbs. and in most cases, no more than 108 inches in total length and girth. That means anything over the 16 ounces should be provided the Priority option. I can only surmise that in the OP's case, given the lack of weight/dimension info, we may have sent the buyer a label that didn't qualify (First class when it sounds like it should have been Priority).

[stuff4divas]

@sellerfrom1998  see message 18

[sellerfrom1998]

Sooo... it looks like everyone is still split between what the correct answer is.

Ultimately - the question is: if we do a FC return that is  over 16oz, is the USPS supposed to accept it, or return it? 

[ferncliff-39]

@sellerfrom1998 

I checked a few of your listings and it does appear you use Flat Rate shipping (?), which may be the reason why ebay is issuing First Class Return labels instead of Priority.

I think @wooden_flower   was involved in this issue awhile back and had a solution for those sellers using FR, but I can't find the thread. Maybe she can help on this.

[sellerfrom1998]

Hi @ferncliff-39 

To clarify - I'm having issues doing returns as a buyer. I buy a lot of electronic crap (I love creating stuff with second hand equipment). In the past 3 months, I've had to do 3 returns as a buyer, and the post office is not taking my returns. Each time, I have to pay for my own label, even though these were sales with "free returns"

Of course, I never get refunded for the labels I create myself, and I don't want to put it on the sellers if it's USPS's fault.

[dqdistribution]

If it's buyer returns, it's not a problem then.

Use the SSK, and they are 'free returns' with label provided by seller then you get free item and your money back. 

All eBay needs to see scan on tracking, if it gets rejected and returned back to sender, eBay will still issue full refund regardless if it never makes it back to seller.

Most likely the sellers you are buying from then have their listings created with less than 1 lb.

[ma-647837]

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@sellerfrom1998 wrote:

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. 

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You should contact Nate Heyward, the USPS account holder at eBay. He has had good success in getting the local rogue office back in line historically, see here.  

And to get another local station training issue addressed, that had rubber-stamped Returned For Priority Mail Postage on a First-Class Return Service label.

[sellerfrom1998]

Thanks @ma-647837 

I'll definitely reach out to Nate! 

[wooden_flower]

@ferncliff-39If the seller does not enter the correct weight in the listing, then the return label is going to be wrong if the difference changes it from first class to priority. The solution you referred to was for the seller - to enter the weight when he lists.

FC return service is good to 16 oz - as you referenced, we had this confirmed in a mentor discussion a couple of years ago.  Since eBay doesn't use the parcel select return service, packages over 1LB have to get a priority label.  The seller, of course, could provide his own parcel select label.

The Ground Advantage program should help -  the FC return service and parcel return service get merged into Ground Advantage returns, so I hope we will not have this issue under the single service.

[ferncliff-39]

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@sellerfrom1998 wrote:

Hi @ferncliff-39 

To clarify - I'm having issues doing returns as a buyer. I buy a lot of electronic crap (I love creating stuff with second hand equipment). In the past 3 months, I've had to do 3 returns as a buyer, and the post office is not taking my returns. Each time, I have to pay for my own label, even though these were sales with "free returns"

Of course, I never get refunded for the labels I create myself, and I don't want to put it on the sellers if it's USPS's fault.

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@sellerfrom1998  - thanks for clarifying - I misread your post obv.

I still don't believe this is the fault of USPS though, but please update this thread when you hear back from Nate so we are all in the know.