Return Label Question

[calntom]

While in the process of approving the return, eBay also showed a screen where they would provide a label and my account would be changed for the label. Though, the label was a USPS $2.66 1st class label. I originally shipped the item via UPS Ground as it was a 12 lb. package at a substantially higher cost.

I have never had to send a buyer a label for a return yet. This was a $91.10 sale that had Free Shipping.

I assume, through the return process that eBay is sending the buyer the USPS $2.66 label since I did not, have the correct package size and weight entered into the original listing, as I do all listings as Free Shipping. This is the 1st time this has come up after 1,000+ transactions over the last 18 months as I have not had a UPS shipped item that has been returned.

What to do?

Below are the screenshots of the return process.

[plantaddict]

I don't know how that will work because if the package through UPS was 12lbs then there is no possible way to ship it USPS as a 4oz or less package. When you set up your listings you want to include proper measurements, or close ones, and weight even if offering "free shipping" for this reason. I don't know if USPS will accept the package, but they most likely will since it's a return and then will charge your account the full over-the-counter cost for the remainder of the shipping and you'll not get the discounted price you would have gotten had the correct information been listed. I would call eBay and ask why it didn't give you the option to accept the return providing the UPS return label and changed carriers. Wait until you get the item back and the return is closed however because anytime you call them, doesn't matter the reasoning, they open a case as if you've asked them to "step-in" and I'd be afraid they'd refund without return. This has been my experience any time I've called they escalate it even when that's not the reason you're calling.

[missjen831]

USPS will accept the package. It’s a return service label.  eBay May be charging you the 2oz rate but USPS will charge eBay the actual cost. It’s not a 2oz label

[calntom]

@plantaddict

@missjen831

I just processed the return this morning.  I am thinking of contacting the buyer and sending along a UPS label.

Thoughts? 

[berserkerplanet · Accepted solution]

What jen said is correct. It is a RETURN SERVICE label. What you think you know about USPS First Class does not apply here.

For whatever reason (missing weight/dims in the listing?) eBay issued a FCP Return Service label, and they will eat any additional costs (when that shipment bumps their quarterly or whatever it is charge assessment up by 22¢ - Return Services are negotiated contracts)

Having said that, the buyer may run into a numpty USPS worker that thinks anything that has the words "First Class" on the label can't be over 13oz, is "illegal", and a communist plot, but unlikely. @calntom

[calntom]

Hello Folks,

I appreciate the responses, great info. Though, I am still wondering what to do with this label issue. 

Do I roll with the USPS label eBay has available or try to contact the buyer and offer to send a UPS label?  I do have an account with UPS. Maybe I call my UPS rep Monday morning and ask about a return label and how many days is it good for after it is issued and perhaps other questions? 

[berserkerplanet]

The eBay issued USPS return label is valid and good for returning anything up to 70lb via USPS.

eBay charged you the $2.66 3oz First Class minimum for some reason (no dims or weight in listing 'cause free ship?), and that is what you will pay.

A return label itself does not show any weight or postage as it is good for whatever weight (up to 70lb on whatever packaging plain box, Priority, Express, UPS, FedEx)

UPS (and FedEx) labels don't have a stale date like USPS labels do (there might be some 90/180/365 day limit buried in the T&C somewhere - too lazy to look)

The eBay label should be good for the return, unless like I said, a numpty USPS clerk who has no clue about USPS return products gets in the middle and causes a fuss (in that unlikely event, tell buyer to go to postmaster)

If you want to pay the extra for a self issued UPS label, that's an option also, but the already issued eBay label should be fine.

Be advised I have never done an eBay return using these labels, but am speaking from knowledge from the documentation I've found and read, along with remembered info/events posted in the forums here over the last 12 years.

[hwa_59]

I doubt EBay is going to pay the diff between actual and 2.66?

USPS will charge Ebay the actual cost and Ebay will charge her seller account .

[missjen831]

---

@hwa_59 wrote:

I doubt EBay is going to pay the diff between actual and 2.66?

USPS will charge Ebay the actual cost and Ebay will charge her seller account .

---

Nope. The seller will be charged $2.66

[stuff4divas]

eBay charges me the same price I paid for the label to the buyer. Even tho I used Fedex Smartpost and paid $6, eBay's return label was USPS Priority, but I was charged only the $6.

[calntom]

I appreciate the help and explanations on this issue. Very informative.

I am going to roll with the eBay return label that eBay has already offered up to the buyer. 

Thanks to all.   

[calntom]

Interesting. Buyer has messaged:

"Thank you for accepting the return. Could you please email me the return label? For some reason, the download link for the label is broken on ebay.

[berserkerplanet]

Uh oh.

And I don't believe eBay makes the return labels accessible to the seller (to be able to do things like emailing it to the buyer).

All I can suggest is for you to suggest the buyer try again and/or try another browser (if the buyer is cooperative). Otherwise, you may be issuing a UPS return label after all.

Good job eBay. Way to run a returns program. Make things as opaque and unusable as possible.

[hafoster]

---

@calntom wrote:

Interesting. Buyer has messaged:

"Thank you for accepting the return. Could you please email me the return label? For some reason, the download link for the label is broken on ebay.

---

In loo of directly printing the label --your buyre can request the label by email --

to be printed at a more suitable location instead.

[calntom]

---

@berserkerplanet wrote:
Uh oh.

And I don't believe eBay makes the return labels accessible to the seller (to be able to do things like emailing it to the buyer).

All I can suggest is for you to suggest the buyer try again and/or try another browser (if the buyer is cooperative). Otherwise, you may be issuing a UPS return label after all.

Good job eBay. Way to run a returns program. Make things as opaque and unusable as possible.

---

I went ahead and emailed the buyer a UPS label right away. I am pretty sure these guys were IT folks from an east coast college, so they could have figured out how to print a label if it was doable from link eBay provided. 

Anyways, thanks again everyone, for the help.