Shipped Fedex but returned Usps Priority?!! Why do I have to pay that?!

[bostonsgarden]

Shipped Fedex but returned Usps Priority?!!

So I got another bogus return where the buyer lied about the reason for return to get out of paying return shipping which is one issue esp when I offered so called "Free Shipping" which I'm told I can't hold back the actual shipping fees but my real issue today is why in the world are returns coming back Priority mail when they are shipped out Fedex? If I have to pay return shipping it should be the same exact amount I paid and via the same carrier I shipped it with...right?  On top of that Ebays charging me the Usps retail rate?!!! holy what in the...

customer rep says my issue is with the post office & not ebay ?!?! WHAT!  How do I get a service rep from the US that hopefully has a slight clue?

If your a seller then you know that a larger & or heavier box can cost nearly double priority which is the case here so is anyone else having this happen?

[orangehound · Accepted solution]

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@bostonsgarden wrote:

So I got another bogus return where the buyer lied about the reason for return to get out of paying return shipping which is one issue esp when I offered so called "Free Shipping" which I'm told I can't hold back the actual shipping fees

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@bostonsgarden 

As a Top Rated Seller offering 30-day returns, when you get the item back and you are certain that the buyer abused the Money Back Guarantee in order to circumvent your return policy (that is, it should be a remorse), then:

1. During the refund process, report the buyer as abusing the money back guarantee to get free return shipping.
2. If the buyer paid any original shipping fees, then do not refund the original shipping fees (as if it is a remorse return) ... but, if you offered free shipping then this isn't available to you.
3. You will get a $6 credit on your next statement towards return shipping fees.
4. eBay protects you against claims that the buyer may make against you, and if they try to leave negative feedback then it will be removed.
5. The buyer gets an "abusive buyer badge" (my term) on their account indicating that a TRS seller identified them as an abusive buyer.  Too many of these badges and the buyer will be restricted from using the MBG, or worse.

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why in the world are returns coming back Priority mail when they are shipped out Fedex? If I have to pay return shipping it should be the same exact amount I paid and via the same carrier I shipped it with...right? 

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eBay only takes back returns via the USPS return services.  If you purchase your shipping through eBay, then eBay is supposed to only charge you return shipping for the exact amount that you paid to originally deliver it - it shouldn't matter whether you used USPS or FedEx.   If you do not, then you should set up your account so that you issue return shipping labels rather than have this done automatically by eBay.

So, if you paid for your labels through eBay, and you look at your statement or current charges, are you seeing a charged rate higher than you paid via eBay labels?

[bostonsgarden]

Thank you very much for the reply& details Orangehound.

I did report them & have a few emails from the buyer where they admit its the right part but still doesn't fit their car so that should help.

I'll have to check on the fees that were charged for this recent transaction, a previous return did have higher fees& I compared the costs& it was at a retail rate.

I haven't refunded them yet& are going to call ebay soon to see what's my next step, do I refund in full or take 10% or so off for the unit being opened? It's so easy to get dinged or a neg feedback so trying to avoid that all while not taking a big loss on bogus returns

Thanks again for your help!

[orangehound]

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@bostonsgarden wrote:

I haven't refunded them yet& are going to call ebay soon to see what's my next step, do I refund in full or take 10% or so off for the unit being opened? It's so easy to get dinged or a neg feedback so trying to avoid that all while not taking a big loss on bogus returns

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From your perspective, it is pointless or near-pointless to refund just 10% for most categories.  Why?  Because any "partial" refund will mean that you are not eligible for a refund of your Final Value Fees.  So, if you refund 90%, this just means that the buyer gets 90% and eBay gets 10% ... if you refund 100%, then the buyer gets 100% and eBay gets 0%.

I don't typically do partial refunds unless they are eligible for withholding 20% or more.