How do I determine if a sale is eligible for eBay-provided return labels?

[amesrg]

I got scammed by someone who purchased a camera lens and wanted to return it.  I tried to purchase the return label through eBay but was not able to do so.  I called eBay and they said they don't know why the sale was not eligible for an eBay-provided return label.    This was a US buyer in Florida and I had no issues purchasing the initial label through eBay.

So I purchased a return label directly from UPS but the buyer claims it does not work.  Of course, it does: you can enter the tracking number on the UPS website and it says "awaiting shipment".  The issue is that eBay says it's up to him to determine if the label works or not.  If he says the label doesn't work then he keeps the lens and gets a full refund.

Obviously, this is a scam.  Well, it's obvious now...

So, how do I know if a sale is eligible for purchasing a return label through eBay so I can prevent this from happening again?

Furthermore, how do I refuse those kinds of transactions?  I can't find anything that seems remotely close to that option.

Thanks

[sin-n-dex]

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@amesrg wrote:

Yes.  The original jpg and pdf were perfectly legible.  Ebay confirmed that fact, as did UPS.

I even had UPS scan it and email it to me and then sent that version on to the buyer.  UPS suggested I offer to have the label printed out at his store, sitting there waiting for him, an approach which would have completely bypassed any pixelation or distortion.  So I offerred that as a solution but I needed his store number and/or location, which he would not provide.

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I thought you could only upload ONE label. So what did you upload, a JPG or PDF? If you uploaded a PDF (that was clear for you), it should have been fine for the buyer.

I'm not sure about reducing resolution if you upload it to the request as a JPG, but if you email it to the buyer through eBay messages it will not be clear. It will appear fine to you, but the buyer will receive a label they can't use.

Your buyer is being a jerk, no doubt about it. There's also no doubt you're trying your best to help the buyer and have your lens returned before giving a refund. The fact the buyer is about to get a refund and is succeeding in saying the label is not valid (which I can't know if that's true or not, it's just theories over here), is an unfortunate issue that you have to deal with this week.

If it makes you feel any better, all significant volume sellers have to deal with this stuff sometimes. I figure I get one every 4-6 months, and believe me I could tell you stories... while I never sold over $750, I have lost $500 to two international INRs in one day. It's not fun. But it happens.

C.

[wastingtime101]

Yeah, there's a difference uploading the label to the case vs eBay messages. Through eBay messages the JPG quality can be obliterated.

Through the return request you (in my experience) have the option of uploading a JPG or a PDF. I generally go for PDF, though I did use a JPG once and it was fine.

Adding to the point, my first post upthread suggested buying a label through pirateship.com - you can get either USPS or UPS labels and pirateship will provide a link you can send to the buyer. From that link the buyer gets the high-res prepaid label directly from pirateship's website. So there is no file uploading and no risk that the image quality will be compromised. Plus you get I think it's 28 days to void a USPS label through pirateship if not used (not sure on the UPS timeline).

No doubt the OP's buyer is being difficult (to put it nicely) and OP has offered many solutions for them which were all ignored.

Regardless, I'd go ahead and get another label through pirateship as the buyer can't dispute validity. Can always be voided if not used. We're talking, what, $800 sale? I'd cover myself.

I would also sign up for tracking updates on any/all return labels generated for that buyer.

If buyer returns after the case is closed, presuming case is closed in the seller's favor, buyer can appeal the moment the package is delivered and force eBay to pull a refund from the seller and the seller would get an unresolved case defect and lose fees.

But if the seller gets tracking alerts showing that one of those labels was used, they can stay on top of it and proactively refund before the buyer can appeal. No defect and no loss of fees.

[fern*wood]

Any updates?

[wastingtime101]

I'd also like to know what happened after the 4 day hold on the case ended @amesrg, if you have a minute to post an update.