Ebay is making printing address labels impossible, forcing sellers to use prepaid shipping

[lg5799]

In the past month, Ebay blocked the way sellers are able to print package address labels.  I prefer to NOT use Ebay prepaid shipping labels, because I had a problem with incorrect charges and it took over a month to get reimbursed.  For the past 15 years as a seller, I've preferred to print my packing list for insertion into the package, and print any "ship to" addresses on a sticky label.  

Now, after speaking to customer service, I'm told that Ebay is forcing sellers to use their prepaid shipping, or find an alternative method of printing an address, when it used to be one a simple click.  You could pick the font, the size, the color, to make your package stand out.  Now you click on the "print" underneath the purchaser's name and address, and it comes up "UNDEFINED".  This is petty and isn't fair to sellers who don't want to use Ebay prepaid shipping.  And yes, I could always handwrite the address, but I'd prefer not to, since my handwriting is awful, and that's how mailing and shipping mistakes happen.

Ebay, please change it back.  Give us back our choice. 

[knifeaholic · Accepted solution]

Hi;  What I have done to bypass eBay's system for label purchases is to go to "print shipping label" for the sold listing, as if I was going to do it through Ebay, then simply highlight the buyer's name/address info,  and copy it (right-click with mouse, and COPY).

Then I can close out of the Ebay system without actually buying/printing the label.

The address is still on my "clipboard"...so I open up my Dymo label printer app and paste the info in, and print the label. Of course then I'll have to wait in line at the post office and pay the old fashioned way.

[1tuna]

ebay is full of it, that untrained CSR is not helping anyone

I was old school once.I used to just go into the order page and copy and paste the address into notepad and print the page  and use tape to put it on the box after my scissors cutting

if you just need the address its simple to find once they have paid

ebay is not forcing anyone to use ebay labels.........thats a falsehood

@lg5799 

[inhawaii]

I also hate using ebay shipping labels.

I hate the convenience.

I would much rather go to the post office and pay more.

[lg5799]

Thanks, it's an extra step, but it does seem to work if I stick that right- copied address on Notepad and print it.  It used to be just one click, on the "print" link, right??

Times change, but this does make it one step more. I used to be able to do all of it by cell phone , but Ebay nixed that too.  
Sigh.

Thanks.

[lg5799]

Thanks.  I used to do exactly that, and on my phone, direct from anywhere in the house, but that's no longer possible on the ebay app.  Now it's a bigger pain, or I just print the label it from my office and then slice and dice it with scissors.  This was actually the second CSR who was able to reproduce the new "error".  The first one, last week, seemed really confused with that "UNDEFINED" thing, but they saw it happen.  So I know they changed something in the ebay setup for that bug that isn't really a bug to happen. 

After 15ish years of selling, this is just a drag. Thanks.

[lg5799]

Since my sales are almost ALL media mail, I'm not paying any more at the post office than purchasing on ebay.  $3.49 is $3.49 on ebay or at the post office.  And I just like having that receipt to track, as well.  

I'm old school. 

[thevintageimage]

Pirateship dot com.  

[lg5799]

My post office workers are all very nice.  I enjoy the chitchat. And there's usually not a line, so it's all good. 

[chapeau-noir]

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@lg5799 wrote:

My post office workers are all very nice.  I enjoy the chitchat. And there's usually not a line, so it's all good. 

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LOL - "gets me out of the house" is one of the biggest reasons I keep doing this online sales job.  If it was just me stuffed into my house writing (my other job), I'd be speaking in grunts of one syllable or less by now and not fit to be seen in public.

[yuzuha]

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@lg5799 wrote:

I prefer to NOT use Ebay prepaid shipping labels, because I had a problem with incorrect charges and it took over a month to get reimbursed. 

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In seven years of selling I have never once had a problem with incorrect charges when I input the correct weight and dimensions for a package.

[duffy4444]

    I stopped using the eBay labeling system about 16 years ago due to its unreliability, downtime, constant tinkering, surprises, clutter and confusion. I switched over to Stamps.com and it is one of the best moves I made:

    Instant link to the orders at eBay, all the shipping options that I can choose without getting my hands slapped, the same discounted commerce rates, simple and comprehensive domestic and international labeling and customs forms when needed, automatic post-back to eBay of all the updated shipping information, tracking number and even feedback for the buyer, a good and inexpensive shipping insurance system, plus a comprehensive yearly report in January for taxes.

    Add to all that a real live person on the other end of the line who answers quickly, really knows their stuff, and with the authority to solve any problem I may have. And I've only had to contact them  3 or 4 times over the past 16 years.

   Only $18 a month (tax deductible) to be free of frustration... There are other shipping services out there, too... If you're frustrated like I was 16 years ago, thinking outside the eBay box may be a good thing for your business. It sure was for mine, and for other sellers as well.

Cheers, Duffy 

[inhawaii]

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@lg5799 wrote:

Since my sales are almost ALL media mail, I'm not paying any more at the post office than purchasing on ebay.  $3.49 is $3.49 on ebay or at the post office.  And I just like having that receipt to track, as well.  

I'm old school. 

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I understand.   😃

[chapeau-noir]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@lg5799 wrote:

I prefer to NOT use Ebay prepaid shipping labels, because I had a problem with incorrect charges and it took over a month to get reimbursed. 

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In seven years of selling I have never once had a problem with incorrect charges when I input the correct weight and dimensions for a package.

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Same here, and I've shipped everything from a few sheets of paper to heavy car top bike racks and A/V equipment, USPS, Fed-Ex and UPS.

[rfmtm]

Why not just use ebay's Print Address (only) function?

On the Orders page, in the drop down menu to the left of the item click on "Print packing slip and more".  Close any packing slip that may pop up.  Then select "Address label" instead.

Next click on Print and in the preview window select the printer and make adjustments for the label size you are using.

https://www.ebay.com/sh/ord?filter=status:AWAITING_SHIPMENT