Address change request but ZIP code not modifiable on eBay Shipping

[justright3553_9]

ZIP code is no longer modifiable on the shipping label purchase page. I've changed addresses many times per buyer request, as well as made return shipping labels, but today it isn't working. Is this problem specific to me or are other sellers having the same issue?

[caldreamer]

Just wanted to caution you it is against EBAY rules to "change address" for your customer.    Customer can turn around and claim "did not receive item".    If you could not prove you shipped to "original address" as shown on EBAY order (you would be forced to give the customer a refund).

Always better to "change order" and have customer repurchase using the correct address.

[inhawaii]

YOU don't change the address.

You have the customer change the address BEFORE they make the purchase.

If the customer wants to change the address after the purchase,

cancel the sale, reason: problem with address.

Have the customer correct his/her address, then they can re-purchase the item,

this time with the correct address.

[justright3553_9]

I am aware of this policy. I am asking about the technical issue that seems to have emerged 

[wastingtime101]

It's not just you @justright3553_9 . There's so much fraud with address change requests, my guess is this change has to do with tightening things up for buyer and seller protection.

I remember several years back eBay changed it so Country could not be modified - my guess is not being able to modify zip code is an extension of that.

You'll have to cancel the order using "problem with address" and ask the buyer to place a new order.

[wastingtime101]

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@justright3553_9 wrote:

as well as made return shipping labels

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Just caught this. Does that mean you're generating return labels from the original transaction the same way you would an outbound label? There are so many reasons why that's not a good idea, but I won't get into it since the zip code lock makes it a moot point.

Next time, if you're not using eBay's return system for some reason, go to pirateship.com to generate the return label - you'll get pretty much the same USPS and UPS discounts.

[slippinjimmy]

I presume you understand that if you the seller changes the delivery address you have ZERO seller protection for an INR claim.

Now it's possible eBay has instituted a block on the zip code change so that sellers who don't know this can only make minor modifications to the street address (adding an Apt. #) or altering the recipient name.

When eBay checks tracking in the case of an INR claim, the only thing they look at is the delivery zip+5, as long as that matches the code provided by the buyer during checkout you are good if tracking states delivered. If the zip codes don't match you lose every time.

I do not know if this is a new thing or has been in place for some time, I have only printed a handful of shipping labels via eBay and the last time must be about 20 years ago.

Most people will suggest you never change a buyer address because it's one of the easiest ways to get scammed. They would cancel , relist and have the buyer purchase again with the corrected address and thus retaining what little Seller Protections there are.

Personally I have always done it unless the buyer presents a bunch of red flags. I have so few issues with buyers that the risk is in the micro range plus I do not have the attitude that scammers are rampant and any such request = thief.

[wastingtime101]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

Now it's possible eBay has instituted a block on the zip code change so that sellers who don't know this can only make minor modifications to the street address (adding an Apt. #) or altering the recipient name.

I do not know if this is a new thing or has been in place for some time

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It's new @slippinjimmy , and your reasoning pretty much matches my thoughts posted at the same time as you - keeping buyer/seller protections in place and eliminating some of the fraud.

How frequently have we seen new sellers ship to an alternate address because someone (not their buyer) messaged pretending to be the buyer and gave a sob story why they needed the item shipped elsewhere. Sellers fall for it and gone is the item, disappointed is the real buyer - perhaps hesitant to shop on eBay again, and seller's at a total loss. Or a buyer that gets a seller to change the address then turns around to file a non-receipt claim and gets their item for free.

[a_c_green]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

Now it's possible eBay has instituted a block on the zip code change so that sellers who don't know this can only make minor modifications to the street address (adding an Apt. #) or altering the recipient name.

I do not know if this is a new thing or has been in place for some time

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It's new @slippinjimmy , and your reasoning pretty much matches my thoughts posted at the same time as you - keeping buyer/seller protections in place and eliminating some of the fraud.

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Sorry, but I don't see how this improves things at all. Item Not Received disputes are resolved on the basis of whether the City and ZIP match that of the address received with the payment. The seller is still free to change the entire address on the Shipping form if desired, even though we know that's a really bad idea. (I tested that again just now.)

The ZIP+4 code is validated at label purchase time, so I think the only reason that field is locked is because it is filled in later by the system when validating the street address, etc.; it doesn't matter what ZIP is showing prior to that point.

[leagueminimum]

Yep eBay has found another way to #@*! sellers by disabling the ability to change the address/zip code on the purchase label page. It doesn't matter why the seller wants to, they should have the ability. Notch another one in the L column eBay ... 

[leagueminimum]

Just another way eBay has devalued their product ...

[inhawaii]

So you're upset that ebay will no longer let you do what is HIGHLY not recommended to do?

[grogerv1980]

It's not just you. I just ran into this about a month ago for first time. No one is saying it, but main reason I did this in past (make the address change) was just to take advantage of eBay's confinement label system for non-eBay sales shipping needs. yes, there's the discount but main reason I liked to use it for these needs is it is just plain convenient (vs stamps .com, Paypal, etc)...plus payment system already set up, label looks great, etc.... Obviously not worried about seller protection in these cases. I hope they change it but not worried about eBay monitoring this comment as not really planning on selling much more on eBay for a while. But.....if someone has a workaround for my scenario, would appreciate additional comment....

[aeparts1]

 Seems to be a fairly recent change.

I was able to change the zip code in December of 2024. Beginning of February 2025 I was not.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@leagueminimum wrote:

Yep eBay has found another way to #@*! sellers by disabling the ability to change the address/zip code on the purchase label page. It doesn't matter why the seller wants to, they should have the ability. Notch another one in the L column eBay ... 

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Nope, it's a way to protect sellers, not "to #@*!" them. Sellers are protected against INR if tracking shows delivery to the zip code in the order. By not allowing them to change the zip, sellers are less likely to be scammed by illegitimate people claiming to be the "buyer."