Buyer wants to return an item, is there a way I can send them a prepaid return label through ebay?

[suzy8track]

I have a buyer who is most unhappy with his purchase.  I told him that if he sends back the item  I will refund his money including shipping.  I want to send him a prepaid shipping label that will have tracking, so I know where the item is and when I can expect it returned.  Is there some way on eBay to do that?  I tried their help section but it was basically of no help. This was an item that sold for over $90.00.

[anneecakes]

I have also found it to be tricky to send a free return label through eBay (when an official return has not been opened). Some will say to have the buyer open an official return, but if you have your reasons for not doing that you can send a pdf of a label that you create on Paypal to the buyer's email address if you have it.  OR--if you don't have their email address, it's also worked for me to go to "Pirateship.com" and create a USPS label there-- instead of print, I select "get link to label" and then I send the link to that label back to the buyer through eBay messages.  

There are probably other way to accomplish this, but those 2 approaches have worked for me (the Pirateship.com route being the fastest for me).  Good luck!

[no_zero369]

@suzy8track 

@anneecakes 

If you don't use the eBay return system you won't get your FVFs returned. 😱   er, unless you spend a bunch of time and find the right CS agent that is in the right mood. 😳 😉

Why would a seller want to avoid using the eBay return system that does have some slim protections?  Am I missing something? 🤔

[anneecakes]

RE: Why  a seller would want to skip the eBay return system. I think the few times I've skipped it were when I had a customer who had English as a second language and/or otherwise gave the vibe that they might check something punitive as a return reason (which would muck up my service metrics). It's always a bummer when you offer free returns but the person on the other end is insecure that they'll have to pay for the label, so they write something fairly fictitious and aggressive in their "reason why."   When I do this I often just cancel the transaction, letting the buyer know that's what's happening (so they don't object to it).

[no_zero369]

@anneecakes 

OK, I can see that point of view.

But mucking up service metrics?  One or two SNADs on service metrics isn't usually going to be detrimental to a seller.  er, unless they have numerous SNAD cases and one more will likely put them over.  If that were the case then there is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed.

We see a number of sellers come here that are apoplectic that they got a red doughnut as that is going to muck up their 100% FB score.  Others that appear willing to bend over backwards because the "might" get negative feedback.  Some buyers are idiots and can never be satisfied.  But it would be unfortunate if a seller bend like a pretzel when they have documented proof (eBay emails) that the buyer is an idiot or unreasonable.  How much in dollars and cents is a 100% FB score worth?😃

Using the eBay case system allows a label to be generated.  Then the buyer has a clock running in which the package must get an acceptance scan.   In the slim chance the buyer missed that deadline, case gets closed in seller's favor.  Negative feedback can be dealt with using a professional response indicating buyer requested return got a prepaid label but failed to post package. They go to PayPal, that system will require them to pay for return shipping before a refund. 

Also, if the buyer is a scammer and sends the seller a fake tracking number and the return is outside of the eBay system, the seller is left hanging with no recourse.

In this situation canceling the transaction without getting item returned creates a Maximum Loss scenario - lose money, lose fees and lose the item. Sure looks like OP is concerned with the loss on their $90 item.  No reason seller could not help the buyer select the correct reason for the return.

What took me a while to internalize, as a seller, is that returns are part of retail selling.  When a return 'happens' unfortunately the seller is going to lose money.  How they handle the return, what actions they take or don't take, can determine how much money one loses. 

It just seems like it doesn't make sense to give up what little of the slim "seller protections" eBay affords.   But every seller can make what choice they feel is right for their business.  Some may go with the eBay system.  Some may accept the risks associated with offsite resolutions.  Some may decide to pay $90+ (refund, no return) to avoid service metrics dings or negative feedback.  Only right choice is what is right for each seller, but that choice needs to be made fully aware of the facts.