How do I provide a return shipping label so a buyer can return a mistaken item?

[wolfcj]

I'm the seller and I just realized that I shipped the wrong item to a buyer a couple of days ago. The item has not been delivered yet, but I notified the buyer that the wrong item is on the way.

Now I want to issue a prepaid return label to the buyer, so he can just put the label on the unopened package and return it. Unfortunately I can't find an option to to send the buyer a label. Does the buyer have to start the process by requesting a return? I was hoping I could do it all from my end. I see options to cancel order or issue a refund, but I don't want to do either of those things.

I'm going to ship the correct item tomorrow, not waiting for the return, because it was my mistake. I'm going to trust the buyer to go through with the return shipment.

[kensgiftshop]

@wolfcj 

It would be better to have the buyer file an INAD and have Ebay issue a return shipping label.

Once the wrong item is returned, refund the buyer and relist so they can buy again.

You could buy a label and send it with the correct item, but there's no guarantee the buyer would use it and return the wrong item.

[bctk5292]

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@wolfcj wrote:

I'm the seller and I just realized that I shipped the wrong item to a buyer a couple of days ago. The item has not been delivered yet, but I notified the buyer that the wrong item is on the way.

I'm going to ship the correct item tomorrow, not waiting for the return, because it was my mistake. I'm going to trust the buyer to go through with the return shipment.

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Just ask the buyer to refuse the delivery, or mark the package Return to Sender and give to carrier/post office if it gets delivered. That tracking number will show the return trip.

You're already going outside of eBay procedure by sending another package, so it's OK to have a package returned outside of eBay as well.

[wolfcj]

How would I buy the label you mentioned from eBay? I can't find an option to do that.

It was my mistake so I think it would be wrong for me to force the buyer to buy again. I want to get the correct item to the buyer as quickly as possible. I'm not at all concerned about the buyer not returning the other one; I trust him.

[kensgiftshop]

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@bctk5292 wrote:

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@wolfcj wrote:

I'm the seller and I just realized that I shipped the wrong item to a buyer a couple of days ago. The item has not been delivered yet, but I notified the buyer that the wrong item is on the way.

I'm going to ship the correct item tomorrow, not waiting for the return, because it was my mistake. I'm going to trust the buyer to go through with the return shipment.

---

Just ask the buyer to refuse the delivery, or mark the package Return to Sender and give to carrier/post office if it gets delivered. That tracking number will show the return trip.

You're already going outside of eBay procedure by sending another package, so it's OK to have a package returned outside of eBay as well.

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If they refuse the package, they void the MBG..

[wolfcj]

I don't know anything about "refusing delivery" or "return to sender" although I've heard them brought up by others. Have you actually done this before? Does USP require giving a reason for either of those actions? Does that mean the package comes back to me at no cost to either me or the addressee?

Also, wouldn't this be a bit risky for the buyer to refuse delivery, because he wouldn't have the correct item yet? I guess he could hold onto the wrong item unopened until the second package arrives, and then use "return to sender".

[kensgiftshop]

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@wolfcj wrote:

How would I buy the label you mentioned from eBay? I can't find an option to do that.

It was my mistake so I think it would be wrong for me to force the buyer to buy again. I want to get the correct item to the buyer as quickly as possible. I'm not at all concerned about the buyer not returning the other one; I trust him.

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You can't, you would have to buy the label another place.

[wolfcj]

Suppose I have the buyer start the return—First "Return item" followed by "Wrong item sent". What happens after that? Does the buyer get a return label right then and there? I've never done that so I don't know how it works.

And when I know the label has been issued can I just use "Purchase another label" right away and send the correct item? That would probably be streamlined enough for the buyer that I could feel I'm doing the right thing. The buyer would also have complete protection that way, correct?

[bctk5292]

Except for parcel post and Media Mail, the return trip is included in the original postage.

If your buyer refuses or does Return to Sender the wrong item, they lose eBay MBG.

If your buyer Returns the wrong item with a prepaid return request, they've used up eBay MBG.

Either way, if they later need to return the correct item, they no longer have eBay MBG to return the correct item.

Logically, all three is a no-win.

[wolfcj]

"If your buyer Returns the wrong item with a prepaid return request, they've used up eBay MBG."

Are you talking about the "Return item"/"Wrong item shipped" scenario? I was hoping that would a) provide a return label for the buyer, and b) allow me to send the correct item as a replacement. Is that not how that works? Are you saying the buyer would not be protected if I sent a wrong or defective item as a replacement?

[wolfcj]

Everyone seems to be talking about issues that are different from my basic question, so I'll restate it in simpler language:

What is the proper way for a buyer to send a mistakenly shipped item back to me to exchange for the correct item?

I've searched the web and all I find for eBay is that the buyer can send the wrong item back and get a refund.