eBay automatically sent return label, but it's wrong.

[darkforce2024]

I received an item from a seller that was missing parts, without those parts the item is useless to me. I messaged the seller to ask for the missing part to be sent. After 4 days I received no communication with the seller so I started a return request. I checked the option for missing parts. Ebay automatically sent me a return label. I went to the post office but the post office was unable to use the label because its for USPS Priority Mail which is by airplane. The product contains a lithium ion battery and must be shipped "ground only". I once again messaged the seller telling them that the shipping label cannot be used and asked them to provide the proper shipping label so I can ship this item back. Once again, I've got no communication from the seller. Ebay states that if I don't get a response by Friday (4/5/2024) I can ask them to step in to help, but looking at the return, it looks like -I- haven't done anything on my end because I already have a return label, and it's waiting for tracking. Can I expect ebay to help out if the seller doesn't respond?

[darkforce2024]

@nenu-5410  I thought the same thing. But the postal worker told me that I could not mail the package by air. I'm going by what they said, and you can't argue or force them to mail it. The package I received clearly states Hazmat, Ground Transport only, and was sent TO me by Ground Only.

[fern*wood]

If your computer wasn't supposed to have a battery, can you take it out and ship?

[wastingtime101]

The postal worker was correct @darkforce2024 .

https://www.usps.com/ship/shipping-restrictions.htm

Lithium Batteries

For domestic mailings only, small consumer-type primary lithium cells or batteries (lithium metal or lithium alloy) like those used to power cameras and flashlights are mailable domestically under certain conditions.

Lithium Batteries in Electronic Devices

If you're mailing pre-owned, damaged, or defective electronic devices containing or packaged with lithium batteries, you must send them via ground transportation; they are prohibited in air transportation.

These devices must be marked on the outer packaging with the text, "Restricted Electronic Device" and "Surface Transportation Only."

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_028.htm

[wastingtime101]

---

@fern*wood wrote:

If your computer wasn't supposed to have a battery, can you take it out and ship?

---

I had that thought - remove the battery, ship without, and include a print out of eBay messages asking seller for a Ground label and a print out of USPS regs, and a note saying if the seller wants the battery back they have to provide a Ground label.

Just didn't want the seller to report the buyer for returning the item in an altered condition.

Chances are if the seller does not provide a Ground label, eBay CS will step in when the buyer asks and find in their favor - or appeal in their favor.

[darkforce2024]

This type of device does not have a removable (at least not easily) battery. You have to take all the screws out of the bottom to get to it.

I'm just going to give it the one more day that the ebay CS people said. I could take the battery out, I guess... but since its not an easily removable battery and opening it up taking all the screws out. That leads to the seller saying I altered it, etc. I guess, if it comes down to that, I guess that's what I will do, but for now, I'm giving it till the 4th (tomorrow).

[fern*wood]

I get that.  For some reason I thought the battery wasn’t supposed to have been included originally, so I must have read it wrong.  I hope it gets figured out for you. 

[darkforce2024]

@fern*wood  It wasn't. The listing stated "Charging cable included. Battery NOT included." When I received it, it had NO charging cable but DID have the battery.

That's the problem, EBay automatically sent the return label, assuming it had NO battery because that's what the listing stated.

You can use a laptop (as a sort of quasi-desktop) without a battery... but you still need a power cable to turn it on. I skipped over MANY listings because they all said they did NOT have a charging cable. I picked this one specifically because it said it DOES.

I tried to contact the seller regarding sending a charging cable, but got NO response (I gave them a whole week). So, I thought the only way to recoup my money was to send the item back, so that's what I tried to do. Then this...

I do understand if this was just an honest mistake, the seller has thousands of products they sell weekly. Mistakes DO happen. But to give absolutely no response to a message after a whole week is unacceptable.

[albertabrightalberta]

Although this isn't completely kosher, I wonder if the OP can ship the return in a plain, unmarked box and attached the priority label to that. 

[darkforce2024]

@albertabrightalbertaWhile that would probably work.... It's a civil fine of $324 to $129,032. It's a risk that, is not worth taking.

39 U.S.C. 3018(c)(1)(A) – Hazardous Material
Under 39 U.S.C. 3018(c)(1)(A), the Postal Service may impose a civil penalty payable
into the Treasury of the United States on a person who knowingly mails nonmailable hazardous
materials or fails to follow postal laws on mailing hazardous materials. Currently, this civil
penalty is at least $320, but not more than $127,525 for each violation, pursuant to the
implementing regulations. The new penalty is at least $324, but not more than $129,032 for
each violation.

[fern*wood]

Okay, I didn't go back and reread the thread, but since the listing claims there was no battery included, I don't see a case for claiming it was returned with it removed.  Of course it's up to you.  It almost sounds like you were sent the wrong computer bundle altogether. 

I can't really see ebay paying any attention to what is being sent back when prompted to supply the label---seems too involved for the automated process.   Did the listing offer Priority? 

[darkforce2024]

@fern*woodWhat do you mean by priority? If you mean shipping. The listing had free shipping. When it was shipped to me it was sent "USPS Ground Advantage".

[fern*wood]

I was just wondering what shipping method the buyer had in the listing.  Usually return labels match that.  

[darkforce2024]

@fern*wood  "Shipping: Free Economy Shipping." is what the listing states. "USPS Ground Advantage" is what was used to send it.

Label that was provided for RETURN "USPS Priority Mail Return".

[fern*wood]

Stumps me.  When I authorize eBay to provide a return label, I know the cost to me is the same as my initial shipping label. I’ve never noticed eBay providing a label that was a different service, but with the return label service it usually doesn’t matter.  They work differently with the postal service.   For instance I’ve seen past  posts that claim they got a 1st class label (back when we had the service) and their package weighed over the limit, but since it was a return service label, it didn’t matter.  I’ve never seen your particular situation with hazard labeling involved.

[darkforce2024]

So, I spoke to an ebay representative as this was the 4th, and the rep said "you have to wait till the 9th". I said no, I spoke to 2 reps who said they will step in on the 4th.

I made her go back and look in the chat logs.

The previous two reps used these words "Nothing to worry, you are fully protected on this, if they failed to provide a return label, we might consider to just issue you a refund.".

Words that says " we might consider to just issue you a refund" .

So I responded with "so, they are playing word games? that's pretty scummy of a company."

In the end, nothing was resolved. So, I just opened a dispute with my bank online. Within 5 minutes, the bank refunded the money and closed the case. I know that certain banks will internally just issue a refund if the dollar amount is under a certain amount, if you don't have a lot of previous disputes (I haven't had any for years). So I'm almost positive that's what happened. It's usually to keep customers happy, the bank eats the cost internally.

Ideally, I would have liked to see the seller have to respond to the dispute, as that would have forced them to actually pay attention to the fact that they didn't do what they were supposed to do, but at least I got my money back. (I guess the bank still COULD do this, as I'm only guessing)

Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions!