eBay

ospreyspirit · ‎03-31-2023

Paid $19.19 for small spool of fishing line. It arrived in wrong color AND when I tied to use it, it broke like thread. Seller agreed to accept return and send a label. No label arrived. Then I git a notice from eBay telling me that "We were unable to get a free return shipping label because it is bulky." That is false. Item fits it the palm of my hand. Post office wants about $18.00 to ship the item back to seller in china - so I would pay as much to ship as the refund amount! eBay also warns "If you do not send the item, we might close your return and you might not receive a refund." What can I do now?

an-36344 · ‎04-03-2023

@deeplist wrote:

I try and open the return claim to print the label I'm greeted with the big red box at the top...
"We were unable to get a free return shipping label because it is bulky."

Hi kyle@ebay, what exploit for "bulky" are sellers using to obviate eBay issuing a return label?

deeplist · ‎04-04-2023

I don't know. But I'm guessing that they're possibly choosing the "calculated shipping" option when posting the item, entering excessively high dimensions or weight for small items, and then ticking the box to offer free shipping.

In my case, I contacted eBay concierge. They flat out told me that the seller is playing games to try and manipulate the system. They escalated the case and decided in my favor right there on the spot and refunded my money and told me not to bother sending anything back.

krazzykats · ‎04-04-2023

Glad you received your refund.

I do wonder though about the free shipping and then entering enormous dimensions and weight to exploit eBay's return system. Interesting.

KrazzyKats • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1998

kyle@ebay · ‎04-04-2023

@an-36344 wrote:

@deeplist wrote:

I try and open the return claim to print the label I'm greeted with the big red box at the top...

"We were unable to get a free return shipping label because it is bulky."

Hi kyle@ebay, what exploit for "bulky" are sellers using to obviate eBay issuing a return label?

Hey @an-36344 that's a great question. It's important to remember that a seller is still responsible for return shipping on a "Not as Described" return, regardless of the dimensions they enter in. In cases like this, what should have happened is once the label was not going to work, eBay would instruct the seller to facilitate return shipping another way, and give them a certain time frame to do it.

So while this certainly still needs to be addressed because it is creating extra steps and hassle to deal with (and believe me we will pass this example along to the proper teams to be addressed), it's still not a loophole in which a seller can skirt the return and not bear the responsibility for the return shipping.

Kyle,

pjcdn2005 · ‎04-04-2023

kyle@ebay

Sorry but I do see it as a huge loophole when it comes to international returns for not as described claims. The seller cannot send a label because they can't access the postal site in the buyer's country. So the seller checks off 'unable to send label' and I believe the buyer sees something about working it out with the seller.

But if the seller does not cooperate with the buyer there are no instructions for the buyer on what to do. and there is NO 'ask ebay to step in' after a certain amount of days. I've read about countless situations of when a buyer has purchased their own label and then is unable to get that money back OR they just sit and wait and the case gets closed and they can't get their money back OR they come here and if the right people see the post, they will get told to contact ebay cs on FB as they are familiar with this scenario.

As you said, there are too many steps for the buyer to take in this situation and it happens often. I think that some sellers do want to help but have no idea of what to do and there doesn't seem to be a lot of direction from ebay on this for buyers or sellers. But I suspect that some sellers just do not want to pay for return shipping or refund so they just ignore the buyer hoping that they will go away. They may go away but they go away from ebay and never purchase here again.

I realize that you know how it works but wanted to be specific in my post as posters here often tell buyers to 'ask ebay to step in' when they don't get a label. They don't realize that there is no option to do that I'm sure that buyers get very frustrated with the whole process.

el*ebony*knight · ‎04-23-2023

Order returned

Order date:Mar 16, 2023

Order total:US $0.00

Order number:25-09822-79291

Delivered on Tue, Mar 28

Returns accepted through Apr 27.

Tracking number: ES10022715262730001010001E0N

Your return was completed and you have been refunded. View details

US $31.00

Sold by:

Note

Seller refuses to reimburse US $17.90 for Return Shipment Postage . . . Waiting for conclusion of investigation by eBay . . .

Email received 4/14/2023 from eBay stating "We're looking into it". How long does this process take?

Best regards,

Nat Ray

nenu-5410 · ‎04-23-2023

@el*ebony*knight wrote:
Order returned
Order date:Mar 16, 2023

Your return was completed and you have been refunded.

Seller refuses to reimburse US $17.90 for Return Shipment Postage . . . Waiting for conclusion of investigation by eBay . . .
Email received 4/14/2023 from eBay stating "We're looking into it". How long does this process take?

When you pay for the return shipping yourself

-- instead of messaging eBay on Facebook

-- to ask the seller @el*ebony*knight to either refund or send cash for the return shipping

you won't be reimbursed.

el*ebony*knight · ‎04-23-2023

Trying to access eBay via FB lands me on a 'Sign In Page' . . . Not having an FB account negates my effort to report the matter to eBay Business. Thanks for your reply . . .

xadexane · ‎04-23-2023

@el*ebony*knight wrote:
Trying to access eBay via FB lands me on a 'Sign In Page' . . . Not having an FB account negates my effort to report the matter to eBay Business. Thanks for your reply . . .

Just like that FB 'Sign In Page'

what did you do @el*ebony*knight when eBay landed you on a 'Sign In Page' . . . Not having an eBay account?

Are lyrics like *Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth* worthy of 41 number one hits?

el*ebony*knight · ‎04-23-2023

What are you talking about?

This is the link I tried to access:

Here's eBay for Business link. https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/

Best regards , , ,

monster-deals · ‎04-24-2023

@ospreyspirit wrote:
Do not use FB, thanks

Use twitter then

ma-647837 · ‎04-24-2023

@el*ebony*knight wrote:
What are you talking about?
This is the link I tried to access:
Here's eBay for Business link. https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/

Best regards , , ,

When you landed on the Sign In page at eBay, you got in to eBay.

So do the same @el*ebony*knight to also get in to Facebook?

dqdistribution · ‎04-24-2023

I might have missed it, but have you tried to contact eBay?

On eBay's website, at the top 'Help and Contact'.

Scroll down to 'Contact Us'

Select the reason.

'Select Chat with Automated Assistant'

Select item, and once you get a Dialogue box type in 'Agent'.

You will be provided with 2 Options. Ebay to Call you or Chat.

el*ebony*knight · ‎04-24-2023

Been there, done that . . . I was told by an agent via chat that the seller IS responsible for the cost of Return shipment because I was sent the wrong item. The agent provided a transcript of our conversation, but I am still waiting, without an update from eBay. 😒

I appreciate your reply robbie3141

dqdistribution · ‎04-24-2023

If the Agent has put the case on a 5 day hold then if the Seller hasn't provided a label during that time the case will be closed in your favor where you keep the item and get fully refunded.