Potential buyer is asking me to use their UPS label if they are the winner. Should I block them?

[onceuponanantique]

Potential buyer is asking me to use their UPS label if they are the winner of any auction. I informed them that I could not do that. Should I block them from bidding? 

[coastaltechsolution]

Sure sounds odd

are they a new user that might not understand how things work? 

[onceuponanantique]

They have a very high number of feedback entries and 100% satisfaction.  

[onceuponanantique]

And I should correct as I think auto correct took over..... not on ANY auction. An auction.

[dbfolks166mt]

     You have no idea what the address information is going to be on the label the buyer would send you. I would not communicate with the buyer and either block them or just let the auction end and see what happens. 

[bearswatching]

You do know that buyers cannot get negative feedback, right?

[coastaltechsolution]

Well you already responded and explained to the bidder that you cannot use their label

I would not cancel on that but again you are the seller and not sure what the auction is for

What do your instincts tell you?   

[coastaltechsolution]

Is this for the Crystal Lantern? 

These are a hot item to go over seas right now 

Seeing the item and price I would cancel the bids because it seems like a question like that they asked you just smells like trouble coming after the auction 

[onceuponanantique]

Good point about buyer feedback! They do have good buyer and seller feedback... seller feedback is older and looks like it is for tools and parts. It just seems odd as I never had a request like that before and the item is more expensive. 

[albertabrightalberta]

A fairly common problem that arises from buyers using "their own" UPS or Fedex account labels is that the labels are coming from a stolen/hijacked account and when the actual owner of the account disputes the charges, the carrier will come after the seller for payment. 

Additionally, because the tracking isn't from the seller's shipping label, the seller will lose an INR case.

[onceuponanantique]

Ugggg.... that is why I am concerned if they win.  They do look legitimate but their request makes me wonder if there could be problems even if I use my own shipping label.  I hate blocking someone but it may be in my best interest. However, they may have another account they could bid from.

[dentalsales4u]

I have asked sellers to use my FedEx account number or label in the past.

I email them the label straight from my FedEx account or give them my FedEx account number.

I've done this in the past and the seller didn't have a problem doing it for me.

My rates are better and I can make sure it's insured properly.

You still have the tracking number to add to eBay showing you shipped, so no problem there.

You would just need to let the buyer know that the ship to address on the label MUST match the address requested with the eBay transaction. If not, let the buyer know you wouldn't be able to use their label.

[onceuponanantique]

And yes.... it is for the lantern.

[coastaltechsolution]

@onceuponanantique 

You have received many responses from reputable sellers

Read them all and decide is what you believe is best for you 

[albertabrightalberta]

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@dentalsales4u wrote:

I have asked sellers to use my FedEx account number or label in the past.

I email them the label straight from my FedEx account or give them my FedEx account number.

I've done this in the past and the seller didn't have a problem doing it for me.

My rates are better and I can make sure it's insured properly.

You still have the tracking number to add to eBay showing you shipped, so no problem there.

You would just need to let the buyer know that the ship to address on the label MUST match the address requested with the eBay transaction. If not, let the buyer know you wouldn't be able to use their label.

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My post didn't say there's never a legitimate request made by a buyer who wants to use their own label, but requests from scammers are certainly more common. (In over 4K sales, I've never had a buyer request to use their own label.)

As a seller, you can choose how you want to do business and personally, I feel more in control when I print my own labels. If there's an additional cost (though I don't use Fedex and I get reduced USPS costs), it's a small price to pay for my own peace of mind.

YMMV.