How to return item from Greece to UK?

[odinmarket]

Hello, I live in Greece and bought some days ago a defective object from UK. I've never returned an item from ebay before. The item was sent to me with Fedex. The seller told me to return it "on a low cost, economy, untracked, signed-for service with your local postal office with the RMA number ******** written on the outside of the box".

First of all what is "signed-for service"? Also i've read that sending something untracked doesn't cover my part if the item is lost on the delivery. Does maybe "signed-for service" cover this case of tracking?

Also the seller provided me of an address that contains all other details but not the country! And at the greek local post office i doubt if they have any idea about these things.

So.. i'm supposed i have to go to the purchase history/more actions/return this item. Then follow the instructions. But if the instructions don't "stick" with the way the seller has messaged me?

I'm very very confused... I would be glad if you could provide me with any tips and advice according with this information i provided. 

Thanks.

[phcd1]

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@odinmarket wrote:

Hello, I live in Greece and bought some days ago a defective object from UK. ...

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Why are you paying for return shipping? If the item was not as described (i.e. "Defective"), the seller must pay return shipping. Did you open a SNAD case on eBay? That is where you start.  This is true in the US, YMMV.

[odinmarket]

I thought i'm going to pay for the return shipping and then the money for the shipping will be returned to me by the seller. I don't know what is SNAD. Well, i'll actually try the "purchase history/more actions/return this item" to see how it works.

[missjen831]

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@odinmarket wrote:
I thought i'm going to pay for the return shipping and then the money for the shipping will be returned to me by the seller. I don't know what is SNAD. Well, i'll actually try the "purchase history/more actions/return this item" to see how it works.

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The seller is supposed to pay for return shipping upfront. They can't give you a return label because you are in another country. if you ship it back, ebay won't refund the return shipping cost, its up to the seller to do that. And you MUST send it back with tracking otherwise you won't have proof of delivery. No proof of delivery means the seller can say they didn't get the item back and you won't get any help from ebay or paypal because you have no proof of delivery. 

[odinmarket]

The policy of the seller says that they have to check to see if the returned item is really defective before they pay me for return shipping. So i can't demand something upfront.
One question:
I have just requested a return (purchase history->more actions->return this item). Do i have to wait first for the seller to respond or should i straight away return the item?

[missjen831]

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@odinmarket wrote:
The policy of the seller says that they have to check to see if the returned item is really defective before they pay me for return shipping. So i can't demand something upfront.
One question:
I have just requested a return (purchase history->more actions->return this item). Do i have to wait first for the seller to respond or should i straight away return the item?

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@odinmarket Ebays policy is all you have to follow, NOT the sellers policy. You CAN and should ask that he pay for return shipping upfront. Do not return the item yet, you must wait for approval. If the seller does not accept the return or refund you within 3 business days ask eBay to step in. The seller needs to pay for return shipping up front, if he won't you have to get eBay involved. Otherwise if you pay for it yourself, eBay will NOT help you if and when the seller refuses to reimburse your return shipping cost. 

[odinmarket]

@missjen831 Thank you very much. I had no idea. I have to read very carefully the help pages. Could you please post a link of the point where it's written that the seller has to pay upfront for return shipping regardless of the "seller return policy"?
I ask for this because i want to understand how will i find properly information to read about any case that occurs from time to time.

[missjen831 · Accepted solution]

Glad to help! The money back guarantee specifically states the seller has to pay for return shipping. Here's a link to the section that applies to your situation http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html#description

it doesn't specifically say that the seller has to pay upfront, it says the seller has to provide a return label and the cost of returning is the sellers responsibility. eBay will tell you, when the return is approved, to contact the seller to make arrangements to return the item since a label can't be issued and they will also tell you if the seller doesn't pay for return shipping, that you can ask eBay to step in. If the seller does not pay for return shipping upfront you just have to ask eBay To step in and they will make the seller refund you without returning the item. I would tell the seller that the MBG says he's required to pay for return shipping and provide a label and that it doesn't say he can pay for return shipping after he gets the item back 🙂

[odinmarket]

I was thinking: how is it possible to know how much is the return shipping cost (depends on dimensions and weight) before i actually ship the item? Will i go to the post office, give them the item to measure it, learn the shipping cost, leave the post office, tell the shipping cost to the seller, get payed for it and then return to the post office to send the item?
On the other hand, if i send the item and keep the receipt of it one can see the tracking number along with the price i paid. Simply, and then demand payment for it. 
Nevertheless, i learned many things and i guess i won't stop learning while using ebay. Thank you for the help missjen316!

[keep-balance]

What is the value of the item?

You wrote, that the item was shipped via Fedex. Ok, seller cannot create a return label, but I am pretty sure  they can arrange  with Fedex a pick up from your address.  I think  they are trying to avoid the extra fees with this service...

You can let the seller know the return shipping cost without going to the post office.  Prepare the returning parcel, weigh it, and measure its dimensions. Then just look up the pricelists on the Hellenic Post's website (message me, if you need help with this)

You have 2 options, if you want to ship it back to the UK, via normal post:

1. Registered Airmail (small packets <2kg  only): Insured up to €50, untracked, but a confirmation of delivery & signature is available on Royal Mail's website

 This is the service seller is asking you to use (better known as "Signed For" in the UK)    ...max cost €16.50 

2. EPG Parcel :  fully tracked & insured up to €500, handled by Parcelforce in the UK   ...starting from €25.27 

[tarpedge]

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@keep-balance wrote:

You have 2 options, if you want to ship it back to the UK, via normal post:

1. Registered Airmail (small packets <2kg  only): Insured up to €50, untracked, but a confirmation of delivery & signature is available on Royal Mail's website

This is the service seller is asking you to use (better known as "Signed For" in the UK)    ...max cost €16.50 

2. EPG Parcel :  fully tracked & insured up to €500, handled by Parcelforce in the UK   ...starting from €25.27 

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@odinmarket, if your seller chooses the untracked service:

"If you choose to use an untracked return label, your buyer will not be required to provide proof of delivery of the return if eBay is asked to step in and help, and you will be responsible for the reimbursement amount. Learn more about the eBay Money Back Guarantee."

[odinmarket]

@keep-balance the item's price is 87.11 euros. Unfortunatelly it's impossible in Greece to know the price before you actually send the package. The woman at the post office told me that it is about 15 - 16.5 euros (i told her dimensions and weight) but i had to give her the package to say for sure (i think wanted to see if it fits in envelope). She also told me that they provide anyway tracking number. At the hellenic post office site it shows that it costs about 22 - 25 euros.
I also, like you, thought that, as the seller sent it to me through Fedex, he will possibly have a voucher (or account) and will be able to say to them "bring me this item from there and I pay for it". But i don't expect such professionalism by someone. Anyway i will suggest them this solution.

@tarpedge yes, i'm not going to send the item untracked whatever the seller says.

[keep-balance]

It is, of course,  possible to know the price before posting anything! I have shipped many items from Greece to the UK and have good experience with the pricelist.

 If the weight of your packet  is morel than 1kg, but less or equal than 2kgs, the cost is FLAT RATE=16.50 euros (within Europe & tracking number included) . It doesn't matter if it is packed in an envelope or a small box, but make sure that the sum of all dimensions (length+width+height) does not exceed 90cms in total!

Item's value is not that high, so there's  little risk involved if you post it via the Letterpost  service (ELTA says it "Epistoli")

However If you want detailed tracking and full coverage, post it as 1st priority parcel (EPG parcel )

The cost in this case is  € 27.45 (<1.5kg) or 29.63 (<2kg)

I'd suggest  you check the UK's tracking sites (Royal Mail/Parcelforce) 2-3 days after it leaves Greece.

[odinmarket]

keep-balance thank you for the information! I've also found this article (in greek) which is from 2014 but has useful information.