eBay

iart · ‎10-20-2022

Even though we offer free returns, we rarely get any. So, we aren’t experts on how it works. A few questions.

We got a return, approved it, and rather than eBay providing a label for Media Mail shipping, (the way we sent this, a book), they sent it back Priority. I have no idea why eBay thinks it’s a good idea to needlessly cost us money.

It cost us a few extra bucks, not a huge deal. But some of our books will ship in a couple boxes of 40 pounds each. Getting a return, Priority Mail, could costs us hundreds.

I understand that we can provide our own shipping label but eBay doesn’t seem to have that as an option to print. Am I supposed to go to Paypal (or elsewhere) and get a label and then send it electronically to the buyer?

Where can I find the original weight and dimensions of the item I sent?

Also, there is a spot to input the tracking number. But is there another spot to input another tracking number if the item ships in 2 boxes? If not, does eBay automatically approve the return when we only get one box back?

What if you send it Fed Ex? Does eBay still send it back USPS Priority Mail? Again, that could cost us quite a bit. But I assume I would have to do the same as I can’t expect the buyer to run to a Fed Ex store. Am I wrong?

It might be time to rethink free returns.

Thank you for your help.

elizabeth@ebay · ‎10-20-2022

@iart wrote:

Even though we offer free returns, we rarely get any. So, we aren’t experts on how it works. A few questions.

We got a return, approved it, and rather than eBay providing a label for Media Mail shipping, (the way we sent this, a book), they sent it back Priority. I have no idea why eBay thinks it’s a good idea to needlessly cost us money.

It cost us a few extra bucks, not a huge deal. But some of our books will ship in a couple boxes of 40 pounds each. Getting a return, Priority Mail, could costs us hundreds.

I understand that we can provide our own shipping label but eBay doesn’t seem to have that as an option to print. Am I supposed to go to Paypal (or elsewhere) and get a label and then send it electronically to the buyer?

Where can I find the original weight and dimensions of the item I sent?

Also, there is a spot to input the tracking number. But is there another spot to input another tracking number if the item ships in 2 boxes? If not, does eBay automatically approve the return when we only get one box back?

What if you send it Fed Ex? Does eBay still send it back USPS Priority Mail? Again, that could cost us quite a bit. But I assume I would have to do the same as I can’t expect the buyer to run to a Fed Ex store. Am I wrong?

It might be time to rethink free returns.

Thank you for your help.

Hi @iart & @creativecrisis. When a listing has certain weight and dimensions, we only have the ability to issue a first class or priority mail label. In situations like this, it's recommended that you provide your buyer with the media mail labels in lieu of the one we issued. You can do that by creating the label on USPS site, and uploading it to the buyer through the case. You can also do this with a FedEx label, however, you'll want to confirm with the buyer that they're able to ship it to a near FedEx location first. There will also be an option to upload the return tracking number as well, however, if you run into issues, our agents can get that added for you. Our agents can also put in the case notes the second tracking number, but messaging your buyer both tracking numbers will suffice. The originally weight of the items you sent can be found within the original listing or the shipping labels section (print new label and the item dimensions will be inputted).

Elizabeth,

creativecrisis · ‎10-20-2022

Thank you for the clarification, elizabeth@ebay .

monster-deals · ‎10-20-2022

@iart wrote:
Here's a simple test.

The simple test was ME doing a simple test of offering free returns and bleeding money like a stuck pig.

Turned it off after 2 months. I can't believe anyone would willingly offer Free Returns unless they had high profit, low cost, easily replaceable items that ship 1st class or media.

monster-deals · ‎10-20-2022

elizabeth@ebay wrote:
You can do that by creating the label on USPS site

You sure about that?

Last I saw there was no ability to buy a Media or First Class label through Click n Ship

iart · ‎10-20-2022

@femmefan1946 wrote:
How often does this happen? If it is less than one percent of sales, the return shipping is just a business expense.
In your 20,000+ transactions, how much has return shipping cost you? How much has it cost subtracting payments when you resold the returned book?

We rarely get reruns but we've gotten as many in the last month as we've gotten in the last 2 years. I'm not concerned with a few bucks. I'm concerned with sending 2 or more boxes of books at 40 pounds each, media mail, 3000 miles away and getting a return Priority Mail that will cost a lot more. Potentially hundreds.

iart · ‎10-20-2022

Thank you for replying but I don't think USPS site will do media mail. I would have to go to Paypal or another site.

Why wouldn't eBay just set it up to print the same basic label, reversing the addresses, saving sellers' time and money? It seems that this would be as easy to program as the way it is now.

lepke1979 · ‎10-20-2022

@iart wrote:
Thank you for replying but I don't think USPS site will do media mail. I would have to go to Paypal or another site.
Why wouldn't eBay just set it up to print the same basic label, reversing the addresses, saving sellers' time and money? It seems that this would be as easy to program as the way it is now.

Or making it sellers choice what type of label it'd be. Sort of like when you buy them off eBay.

It may have changed, but USPS told me they have an agreement with XPS Ship to offer free return labels. Pirate Ship can do return labels but they charge 30c I think for each one. Can just buy a label instead. But will have to make sure to cancel it after a few weeks if not used. Probably need to do the same with return labels though

12345jamesstamps · ‎10-20-2022

I do returns..."buyer pays for shipping". If necessary I will pay for the shipping if buyer thinks I should. I know what the cost is to ship it out and can pre refund(on item) the buyer to ship it to me. Yours is like giving a blank check for return shipping...

monster-deals · ‎10-21-2022

@iart wrote:

Why wouldn't eBay

Brother that IS the question...well most of them anyway

iart · ‎10-21-2022

Anecdotal evidence suggests that our sales are up to 5X higher than those who don't offer it. And until the last couple weeks, it hasn't been a problem (seems that buyers are faster to hit that return button). Plus, 90% of our items ship media or 1st class - pretty cheap. Most of the others (large Priority or Fed Ex) we DO have buyer pays returns. The problem isn't free returns for us. It's eBay sending items back at a more expensive rate than we send them.

@12345jamesstamps wrote:
I do returns..."buyer pays for shipping". If necessary I will pay for the shipping if buyer thinks I should. I know what the cost is to ship it out and can pre refund(on item) the buyer to ship it to me. Yours is like giving a blank check for return shipping...