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.

meme6253 · ‎10-20-2022

Yes Rethink Free Returns, You Can Get Burned!, I know they want us to do that, But I feel it is our decision to make, Since it Affects us Directly & Our Bottom Line!

hollysfinds · ‎10-20-2022

I don't do free returns and never will.

I sell mostly china and it's usually heavy.

I can count the returns I've had on one hand 🖐️.

Ebays suggestions are to benefit the buyer or ebay, not the seller.

creativecrisis · ‎10-20-2022

devon@ebay

elizabeth@ebay

I also offer free returns, so I'm interested in seeing the OP get their question answered.

I think I recall that when eBay provides a return label for a seller, the cost is never supposed to be more than the cost of the original label. Is that correct? If not, how does the process work? In the OP's case, why would they have to pay more for a return than they originally spent to ship the item?

Thanks for clarifying this.

a_c_green · ‎10-20-2022

@creativecrisis wrote:
devon@ebay
elizabeth@ebay
I also offer free returns, so I'm interested in seeing the OP get their question answered.
I think I recall that when eBay provides a return label for a seller, the cost is never supposed to be more than the cost of the original label. Is that correct?

That's my understanding, too. Is there some exception for returning Media Mail shipments? Do those need to be escalated to a higher class of shipping in order to use a Return label?

iart · ‎10-20-2022

Thank you! That is exactly what they told me when they advised that I offer free shipping. I spoke to customer service a week ago, mentioned this, and there was silence. Eventually, they suggested that I could report the buyer for a wrongful return (if that is what it was) and, maybe, get up to a $6 refund.

@creativecrisis wrote:
devon@ebay
elizabeth@ebay
I also offer free returns, so I'm interested in seeing the OP get their question answered.
I think I recall that when eBay provides a return label for a seller, the cost is never supposed to be more than the cost of the original label. Is that correct? If not, how does the process work? In the OP's case, why would they have to pay more for a return than they originally spent to ship the item?
Thanks for clarifying this.

pinkryder123 · ‎10-20-2022

Are you sure eBay provided the label? Maybe they just purchased it themselves.

iart · ‎10-20-2022

It all came through the eBay system and we were charged for it. We got another return a couple days ago (must be something going around) and we had to approve the return and the label was sent off that same page - there was no other way to do it other than adding our own tracking number. We did not get an option to print our own.

@pinkryder123 wrote:
Are you sure eBay provided the label? Maybe they just purchased it themselves.

monster-deals · ‎10-20-2022

@iart wrote:
Even though we offer free returns,

Quickest and best way to bleed money like a stuck pig.

iart · ‎10-20-2022

Here's a simple test. Go to the people on this thread who are NOT offering free returns. Check out their number of items listed compared to their feedback amounts. Then, compare the same to the people who ARE using free returns.

I understand this isn't scientific and I'm sure there are several reasons, but the differences are amazing. In short, those offering free returns are getting a lot more feedback and, probably, a lot more sales.

@monster-deals wrote:
@iart wrote:
Even though we offer free returns,
Quickest and best way to bleed money like a stuck pig.

femmefan1946 · ‎10-20-2022

Rather than allowing eBay to send the Return Shipping Label, you should send it yourself using the appropriate service.

https://postcalc.usps.com/Calculator/Index

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

My books are pretty much all the same size (paperbacks) but I write the dimensions and weight on the printed invoice before I file it. Paperless office? Hah!

But is there another spot to input another tracking number if the item ships in 2 boxes?

I believe that you can get two labels for a single shipment, which will have the same number. Another member will have to confirm that.

It might be time to rethink free returns.

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?

femmefan1946 · ‎10-20-2022

I spoke to customer service a week ago, mentioned this, and there was silence.

The phone reps work for a sub-contracter in Utah, and are notoriously undertrained. Your question was above their pay grade.

You might try the eBay employees who cover the social media accounts. Bonus, you get a transcript.

  https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/ — Message button in upper right on landing page.
https://twitter.com/askebay?lang=en
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/How-do-I-contact-Customer-Support/m-p/32016431#M1783851 -> Automated Assistant, type AGENT -> enter. You will then get more options.
 

aeparts1 · ‎10-20-2022

We don't do free returns.

A customer returned a large bulky item, they told eBay it didn't work.

I had no choice but to approve the return if I wanted the item back.

I sent the item out via our business UPS account, it cost us $20.

eBay sent it back via USPS Priority mail, charged us close to $80.

Fortunately, the customer returned the actual item I shipped, & it arrived used, but in perfect working condition.

Sometimes all you can do is put mustard on it & eat it.

You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.

lepke1979 · ‎10-20-2022

If you go here and turn RMA on at the bottom. You can supply your own shipping label. Can buy it through Pirate Ship or someplace else and send them a PDF copy (or link if it's allowed). Or just hit OK to allow an eBay label. Haven't had a need to send my own label the handful of returns I've had.

I thought I read at some point that the method you used to send it is what will be used for the return. But guess that's not the case. Or maybe it doesn't apply to all shipment types.

https://www.ebay.com/rtn/Return/SellerRules

babclassics · ‎10-20-2022

If you ship Media Mail or FedEx / UPS or even USPS flat rate to save on bulky or heavy items the eBay generated return label will NEVER match that and will always be USPS Prio or 1st class and almost always cost more. They don't mention that part in the help!!!

If you set the RMA checkbox then you have I think 2 days to generate a return label yourself and send a PDF or a link to the buyer to print it. You can save a ton doing it this way but eBay wont help you. filling out the addresses or anything.

After sending your own label to buyer then copy and paste the return label tracking number into the return processing page. It does not really matter if you do free returns or not, when you have to accept a return the label problems will be pretty much the same.