The tracking number you have provided already exists in our system.

[kneilio]

I've received an item I believe is fake, the seller has agreed to the return and provided a return shipping label. When I try to put in the provided tracking number I get the following message:

The tracking number you have provided already exists in our system. Please use a valid tracking number for this return.

I've tracked the number and it shows that it has arrived to the seller but he did not sign for it. I would like to have the tracking number on this return in the system so that this is all correctly documented but I am unable to get help through the eBay help process because it will not let me get to where I need to go to contact someone.

[orangehound]

To do a return properly, here are the steps that you should follow:

1. You should execute the return through the eBay returns system (since this is a Money Back Guarantee claim).  If you execute the return directly with the seller, your success would be dependent upon the honesty of the seller ... which, in this case is risky, given that you believe they sent you fake merchandise.
2. If this is a US return, eBay should provide you with a return shipping label, or the seller has to provide a label through eBay.  If you followed this step, the tracking number should be in the system.   With overseas shippers, returns are very tricky, particularly to places like China, because tracking must show delivery all the way to the seller's address ... not all shipping services provide this detail.   China sellers usually tell you to purchase return shipping and they will reimburse you ... people have reported mixed success with the reimbursement.
3. So, assuming you followed steps 1 and 2, when the item arrives back to the seller based on the return tracking number, then the refund will happen in 6-7 days.  If the seller refuses the item (doesn't sign), or there is a problem with the address, then call eBay customer service and have them look at the situation.  I believe they can effectively mark it as "delivered".

Following those steps will help you have a successful return.

Now, from what you've written, I fear that you may not have executed the return properly.   Can you perhaps give more details?  I think it would be OK to post the tracking number on here so long as it doesn't contain detailed address information.

(Also, I'm not sure why you are having trouble contacting customer service ... they aren't always helpful, but they are easy to contact).

[hafoster]

I too fear, nay, I am deathly afraid --

that eBay is already watching the tracking number --

they themselves put on the label that you printed out for your return.

@kneilio

So there is no need to enter that tracking number into your returns page.

You'll have to call eBay if your seller never claims the return.

Have you checked your returns page?

[missjen831]

Since you’ve already opened a request & been issued a label by eBay you do NOT need to do anything else. eBay has the tracking number already, that’s why you are getting an error message when you try to upload it. You could call customer service now & see if they will push your refund through since the package is awaiting signature. 

[missjen831]

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@ellis61 wrote:

To do a return properly, here are the steps that you should follow:

1. You should execute the return through the eBay returns system (since this is a Money Back Guarantee claim).  If you execute the return directly with the seller, your success would be dependent upon the honesty of the seller ... which, in this case is risky, given that you believe they sent you fake merchandise.
2. If this is a US return, eBay should provide you with a return shipping label, or the seller has to provide a label through eBay.  If you followed this step, the tracking number should be in the system.   With overseas shippers, returns are very tricky, particularly to places like China, because tracking must show delivery all the way to the seller's address ... not all shipping services provide this detail.   China sellers usually tell you to purchase return shipping and they will reimburse you ... people have reported mixed success with the reimbursement.
3. So, assuming you followed steps 1 and 2, when the item arrives back to the seller based on the return tracking number, then the refund will happen in 6-7 days.  If the seller refuses the item (doesn't sign), or there is a problem with the address, then call eBay customer service and have them look at the situation.  I believe they can effectively mark it as "delivered".

Following those steps will help you have a successful return.

Now, from what you've written, I fear that you may not have executed the return properly.   Can you perhaps give more details?  I think it would be OK to post the tracking number on here so long as it doesn't contain detailed address information.

(Also, I'm not sure why you are having trouble contacting customer service ... they aren't always helpful, but they are easy to contact).

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OP followed the steps correctly, hence the error message they are getting. They’ve opened The cass, received the label and they are uploading the tracking number which is necessary since it’s already uploaded for them.