Sellers CAUTION there exists a Return label printing glitch for which they will blame you!

[dqdnvwe0]

I just experienced an event where, after a return is accepted / approved, the buyer is then unable to print the label issued by ebay... The buyer then calls ebay and then, here is the best part:

Ebay puts the blame for this on the seller!

This isn't the first time this has happened, I can recall this exact glitch happening to me as a buyer before, where after the seller accepted the return I was unable to print the label!

Speaking as a buyer I can only describe this glitch as incredibly mind boggling.

Speaking as a seller Ebay's customer service was absolutely no help, the glitch isn't much less mind boggling.

This glitch has been around for a long time, as have I...

Nothing should surprise me, however there is little to calm the upset I am feeling.

Let me repeat: The buyer is unable to print the return label issued by ebay, and ebay then places the case on hold and informs the seller that if the seller does not provide an alternate label they will force the refund out of the seller's account AND let the buyer keep the item!

I hope I don't have to explain there really is no way, short of buying a new shipping label, of "just doing this."

By buying a new shipping label we not only missed our discount but it's not a true return label.

With a true return label the USPS tends to be pretty lenient in terms of packaging and weight.

With a standard shipping label the buyer must use appropriate packaging or the USPS will reject the shipment!

With a standard shipping label there is also a time limit of around 24 hours, the buyer must print and use the label asap or it is no good.

I was able to provide a shipping label, however it isn't a return label, it is a standard label that fits a specific type of packaging. I can only hope the buyer has the sense and ability to go through with this and that if anything else should go wrong (oh the potential is high) that ebay would actually pay for this refund themselves.

I'm not holding my breath.

[nmemoryof]

I was unable to print a return label just the other week.  I did find a way around it.  Hmm...I Googled the issue.  I'm not sure why I was able to print it going this route instead of through the notice I received, but it worked for me.

[dhbookds]

Did you ask them what the error was in the return label?

[loveyourimagination49]

A couple weeks ago I had to forward the label to email to print it out. It’s such a mess. Good Luck

[nmemoryof]

Here's what someone else did on an old thread: 

[nmemoryof]

This thread talks about a label printing issue that was not specific to returns.  That issue was resolved.  In the thread you will find several work around ideas that were suggested for that issue.  It never hurts to try different things: 

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Member-To-Member-Support/can-t-print-shipping-labels/qaq-p/27103941

[this*old*attic]

Well, if it’s an EBay mistake it’s ridiculous - but it seems the problem could also be on the buyer’s side with how their computer/printer is set up or their tech knowledge.

I’ve never heard of any “easy going” return label, btw, there’s no such thing. If you were stressed about package dimensions (in case the buyer used new materials), you could have communicated.

Just as easily, you could have sent them money for postage.

I understand the whole thing was annoying as heck, but I’m just not sure it’s Ebay’s fault. Nor do I think it’s a doom and gloom sized problem with any danger to you.

[nmemoryof]

Glitches are just going to happen when you're talking about technology.  Everyone has different equipment and software that is constantly being updated.  These updates can create as many problems as they solve.  It's not that people are stupid.  It's just part of the world of forever changing technology.

Then as you said, there is user error.  Bummer when you get a buyer that thinks every glitch is the seller's fault.  Of course it is just as wrong for sellers to think every glitch is eBay's fault.  More often than not it is no one's "fault."  The challenge is simply to figure it out.  Some can be solved quickly.  Others will linger for a long time.  It doesn't mean anyone is stupid...except maybe the people who handle their frustration by labeling everyone else "stupid,"  or the equivalent thereof.  I say that because some of those old threads on label printing issues were brutal.

[dqdnvwe0]

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@nmemoryof wrote:

I was unable to print a return label just the other week.  I did find a way around it.  Hmm...I Googled the issue.  I'm not sure why I was able to print it going this route instead of through the notice I received, but it worked for me.

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I tried all that however the buyer called ebay and ebay made the return into a case AND placed the case on hold!

Doing that invalidates ALL those methods, believe me I spent an hour trying to print an actual 'return' label.

Nothing worked, not even through Paypal.

[city*satins]

In addition to the total outrageousness of the scenario, I noticed this tidbit.

'because of the reason having an error in the label item can't be returned.."

O.    M.   G.

[nmemoryof]

That's pretty rotten.

Well, at least you have sent a label.  Let's hope it works.  You uploaded the tracking number, I hope.  If it were me, I'd put a call into eBay on this one.  Tell them what happened and ask them exactly what you are supposed to do from this point.  That way everything is in the official record if any other problems come up.  Also, be sure that this case will not count as a defect against you since it is not your fault.

[city*satins]

I notice from the eBay message that they want proof that the item was actually returned.   Otherwise it's on the seller!

This is an odd position to take.  It's not uncommon for buyers to not return the item after all.  If they don't, then they don't get a refund.

But in this case, if the buyer doesn't return the item, the buyer gets a refund and keeps the item?

How is that okay?

[mam98031]

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@this*old*attic wrote:

Well, if it’s an EBay mistake it’s ridiculous - but it seems the problem could also be on the buyer’s side with how their computer/printer is set up or their tech knowledge.

I’ve never heard of any “easy going” return label, btw, there’s no such thing. If you were stressed about package dimensions (in case the buyer used new materials), you could have communicated.

Just as easily, you could have sent them money for postage.

I understand the whole thing was annoying as heck, but I’m just not sure it’s Ebay’s fault. Nor do I think it’s a doom and gloom sized problem with any danger to you.

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I agree.  When I have ran into this problem, it has always been that the problem was at the buyer's end.  Not caused by the seller or by Ebay.  But due to not having a printer or just plain not understanding how to get the darn thing to print out for them.  

[mam98031]

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@nmemoryof wrote:

Glitches are just going to happen when you're talking about technology.  Everyone has different equipment and software that is constantly being updated.  These updates can create as many problems as they solve.  It's not that people are stupid.  It's just part of the world of forever changing technology.

Then as you said, there is user error.  Bummer when you get a buyer that thinks every glitch is the seller's fault.  Of course it is just as wrong for sellers to think every glitch is eBay's fault.  More often than not it is no one's "fault."  The challenge is simply to figure it out.  Some can be solved quickly.  Others will linger for a long time.  It doesn't mean anyone is stupid...except maybe the people who handle their frustration by labeling everyone else "stupid,"  or the equivalent thereof.  I say that because some of those old threads on label printing issues were brutal.

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This is not likely a glitch of any kind and more likely pilot error by the buyer.  At least not a glitch cause by the seller or by Ebay.  

From the advice you gave earlier in the thread with pics and links.  I'm not sure you actually understood the problem that the seller and the buyer are having as what you posted has to do if the Seller had an issue printing the label.  Which is not the case here.

Calling someone "stupid" is extremely insulting.  Not a word I would ever use lightly as it is an impactful word that can really be hurt someone.  Just a pet peeve of mine.

You don't need to go to old threads to find an answer for the problem the OP has.  None of them would have the answer unless they had been in touch with this specific buyer.

[nmemoryof]

I understood what the problem was, but I can see why you thought I didn't.  I first posted a comment that I, too, had difficulty printing a return label the other day.  I was the buyer.  Instead of printing it off through the email, which i was unable to do, I ended up finding the label through my purchase/return page.  From there I could print it.

The other stuff I posted just for troubleshooting about label printing difficulties.  I always read every idea from every direction when I run into those sorts of problems.  Sometimes you'll find a piece of information that is helpful.  I suppose it was a waste of everyone's time since the OP isn't the one unable to print a label.  Sorry about that.

We do not know if the problem is a glitch or if the problem is on the buyer's end.  I assumed glitch since I was unable to print a return label just about 2 weeks ago.  I did not blame the seller or eBay.  I googled the problem and found a solution.

My comment about glitches not meaning people are stupid was because in my research about the label printing problem, I found some threads where frustrated sellers were bashing eBay pretty severely.  I didn't make myself clear.  I apologize.

To be honest, what is happening to the OP over this issue does seem unreasonable.  Generally speaking, though, some sellers on these forums are unnecessarily insulting to eBay and even to buyers.  I'm not going to say it's a pet peeve of mine.  I get the frustration.  I don't think it is an effective way to get what you want.  I am NOT meaning the OP of this thread.  I was meaning the commenters on some of the other threads.    Bad communication on my part.  I again apologize.