This is the 3rd time in 2017 years where I was authorized a return (ie, on defective device i bought here on ebay), printed the postage label that ebay provided in browser PDF format via eBay message, and dropped it off or attempted dropping it off.
The first time several months ago I dropped the package off at the dropoff window and some postal worker stopped me and said that looks too heavy to go first class; I said its ebay automated return process they provide the label pre-filled but doesn't say weight anyway, and they were like sorry we will not accept it.. so i just dropped it off at another post office i eventually found that accepted it.
The second time was just days ago the post office has employee near line direct pre-paid drop offs to go in line to weigh before acceptance, even for prepaid dropoffs. I asked the clerk envelopes too?! and she said everything not in a FLAT envelope.. then I asked how flat though and she had to go in the back and emerge 5 minutes later to say not thickness but anything other than 1 stamp must be weighed, whether 2 stamps or a non-stamp postage label.
Okay so i didnt have a scale but the package is an authorized pre-filled return label and it feels like barely a lb and they weight it and 1 lb so it can't go '1st class' window clerk says it has to go priority mail. I say isn't priority mail the same as first class a lb and over? She says yea but its not first class under a lb so it can't go first class! And i was belittled as she unlocked the package window, rejecting my package and off I went and tried another station but someone was standing there directing people to have their packages weighed too as part of their new policy and after a bout in this extended holidays looong line was rejected being told the label is for lighter packages going first class not lb and over going priorty.
Other time was a return that came back stamped as 'Refused'. When I contacted seller, they said it wasn't refused by seller but by USPS; it seemed in some cases, sellers successfully ship out as first class when the product is 1lb and ofer under first class but when its time to return, the buyer isn't able to do so when the retail local post office choses to weigh for exactness or whatever? In any case, what a hassle for otherwise authorized returns! =L
Note to self- no more buying phones/tabs on ebay cuz often they're defective despite described as fully operational etc.
