How to purchase return postage?

[stock21]

Help!
I sold a plus size skirt and top. The buyer said the skirt had been altered and did not fit. (I did include the measurements.)
Anyway, I accepted the return but was responsible for the postage cost. I was prompted to upload a postage label before accepting the return. I ended up going through USPS and purchasing postage at the retail rate and uploading as I could not figure out how to do this through EBAY. I called EBAY but they were not helpful.
Can someone please advise how to purchase postage through EBAY for a return?

[Sharyn]

Whenever I’ve had a return, the buyer was able to print a label directly through eBay. I’ve never had to buy one through the USPS. eBay will determine the label cost based on the size and weight from the original purchase.

Did the prompt say that you had to upload a label, or did it ask whether you wanted to or not?

[stock21]

It required me to upload the postage in order to “approve” the return. I never had this happen? It did not give me an option.

[Doublythumbs]

Stock21, I had the same problem a couple weeks ago. I’ve had several returns in my time with ebay, but this was the first time that it wouldn’t let me just purchase a label through them. Same exact situation as you. I too called eBay and couldn’t get an answer as to why it was happening. I ended up just refunding the person because it was such a low-value item. Just curious, did you accept the return on your phone or on a computer?

[stock21]

Oh! Good to know i’m not crazy!!! It seems like no one understands…..
I was on my laptop.
I did not just go ahead and refund as the dress was $75.00
The customer then said he did not have a printer and could I mail the label to hem. Ugh!
What a hassle!!!

[Retro Treasures WV]

I’ve dealt with a buyer like that. I just told them to go to the library if they have to. Eventually they figured it out.

[Doublythumbs]

Well my theory was that it happens due to accepting the return from the mobile app, but I guess that disproves that. That does sound like a complete hassle. And it irked me too that the eBay rep was just like eh, that’s the way you’ve gotta do it. I couldn’t get them to understand that I’ve never had to do it that way in the past.

But I think there was some box or button that needs checked or something prior to accepting the return in order to purchase the label through eBay. And if you don’t have it checked, there’s no going back to it once you click accept. I don’t get enough returns to have the process memorized, but that’s what I think is going on. The next time I do get a return, I’m going to go through everything meticulously before clicking anything.

[Jay]

Are you apart of the Hassle Free Return program?
We just set certain rules on returns and they get automatically approved.
Like Sharyn, we’ve never had to send them a return label.
http://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/returns.html

Have you ever had a return on eBay before?
Just curious what your other experiences have been like.

[Doublythumbs]

I think I might set HFR up on my store since you mentioned it. For the “Return Reason Is:” checkboxes, would you say it’s safe to check them all? I can’t think of any reason why not.

[Inglewood]

I sell internationally, making it impossible to buy a return shipping label. Here is the feedback I received from eBay CS when I asked how return shipping should be handled when you cannot supply a label (either domestically or internationally):

The money that would be used to cover the return shipping cost should not be taken out from the original account because this would not complete the full refund that the buyer is entitled to when they return the item to you. You should have used the “Send Money” tab in PayPal instead of offering a partial refund.

Moving forward, kindly use the “Send Money” tab in PayPal if you encounter an issue like this in the future. Here’s how to send money through PayPal:

1. Log in to your account at http://www.paypal.com and click the “Send Money” tab.

2. Enter the email address of the person you want to send money to, the amount, and then choose whether the money is for a type of purchase or is a type of personal payment.

3. Click the “Continue” button.

4. Check the details including the payment method. You can change the payment method by clicking the “Change” link. You can also type a message to the recipient with more details about the money you’re sending.

5. Click the “Send Money” button to complete the payment.

The recipient will receive an email letting them know about the payment. They can then log into PayPal or sign up for a new account.

I know this is not the answer you were expecting but I trust I was able to explain the situation as it stands now.

[stock21]

I have had returns before and they were all super easy so I was confused when this happened. I think I will set up hassle free returns. Thanks Everyone!

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