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.

[mam98031]

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@nmemoryof wrote:

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.

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But posting stuff as information onto any thread that you knowing are aware of as not having anything to do with the problem at hand is confusing, unhelpful and derails or delays the OP getting the help they seek..  It just clutters the thread.

People that post on the threads are a diverse bunch of people from all walks of life with all kinds of opinions and points of view.  

No apology needed.  It just added some confusion to the thread that IMHO didn't need to be there.

[nmemoryof]

I wasn't confused. 

I didn't know you were the forum police.  Sorry officer.

There is nothing particularly special about it being a return label other than maybe the fact that it is accessed through an email message.  Issues with label printing can be or may not be related.  I did point out that it was not directly related to a return label.

I think you bashing me for my posts is more diverting than just skipping over my posts if you did not like them.  That takes what?  A few seconds?  A full minute?

I'm not saying my posts were brilliant or anything.  I do think you should move on and worry about yourself rather than about me. 

There is plenty of nonsense, garbage, and emotionalism posted to this forum.  A couple of resources that I post which you find unhelpful are not really a big clutter problem in comparison. 

[dqdnvwe0]

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@nmemoryof wrote:

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.

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Actually...

Yes, I purchased the label through USPS, just a straight label for a SMFRB (Small Flat Rate Box) which is what I used originally to ship out.

A quick sidenote, to those who don't think USPS lets return labels go through easier...

Should the buyer NOT use a SMFRB in the above scenario then my label won't work!

A true return label however would, it specifically prints the word return on the label (example included below).

And yes the USPS *will* allow packages OTHER than a SMFRB to use a return label.

That having been said...

I downloaded the label as a .pdf, then opened it with Gimp and Exported it as a .jpg

Attached it to a Message for the buyer.

Then REPLIED to ebay's message to state "We have sent the buyer a shipping label as a .jpg attachment"

I am not sure if I can tell you what they said next, but lets just say I believe it was the right thing to do.