Can't understand Ebay return instructions.

[slackmax]

I bought a $10 item on Ebay and want to return it. The seller contacted me and said it was OK to return it.  I am supposed to pay for shipping. OK with me.

I went into the Ebay return process and am stuck at the 'shipping label' step. The instructions make no sense to me.

Can't I just write the address on a package and mail it back to the seller? The US post office would put a tracking number on the package.

Ebay is giving me 4 options, all of which allow them to decide how much shipping I have to pay. Why should I agree to that?

Any advice would be appreciated.

I want to get help here first before I contact Ebay.  I've read a lot of their articles on returns and it still makes no sense to me.

[NotJen]

Have you compared the eBay shipping rates to the USPS rates?  I occasionally sell through eBay, and they actually offer better rates than I can get by going directly to the post office to purchase the label.

Can you share the instructions that don’t make sense?  I haven’t done a return, so no idea what that looks like.

When I sell, I have the option to purchase postage through them, or purchase on my own and enter the tracking number.

[slackmax]

The 4 options are :

ebay text begins :

You need to select a carrier to ship the item back to the seller. We've included costs to help you. If you don't have a printer, choose to use the return code.


USPS
$3.84
 
(Printer required)


USPS
$3.84
 
(Printerless return QR code)


FedEx
$3.84
 
(Printer required)


FedEx
$3.84
 
(Printerless return QR code)

How you'll pay
We'll deduct the shipping cost from the amount of your refund. These are estimated label costs to return your item. The actual shipping cost is determined when the carrier scans the shipping label. By tapping "Confirm," you're confirming the label for your return and your responsibility for shipping costs.

--------------------- end of Ebay text.

I have to choose one of these 4 options before I can proceed with the return process. They don't tell me what a QR code is or where I can get it. 

I suppose I would choose option 2: USPS and a return QR code (whatever that is), since I don't have a printer.

They want me to choose one of the 4 options, then click a 'confirm' button to go on, which means I agree to whatever shipping cost they come up with.  Maybe it will just be $3.84, which would be OK, but other ebayers have written about being gouged by Ebay for  return shipping, so I am worried about it.   

Is a QR code the block of small squares that you have to photograph with a smart phone? I don't have a smart phone.   

[NotJen]

Is a QR code the block of small squares that you have to photograph with a smart phone? I don't have a smart phone.

Yes, a QR code is a block of small squares.  No, you don't have to photograph it - but you need to be able to display it to someone at the post office so they can scan it and print the label for you.  I assume they would email the QR code to you if you select that option, and make it available to view through your eBay account (on the website or app).  If your phone can't display a QR code, you should probably choose the printer option, and then do whatever you do when you have to print something even though you don't have a printer.

Yes, it seems like purchasing your own postage is not possible when doing a return through eBay.

What was the shipping charge when you ordered the item?  If it was $3.84 and you use the same packing materials to return it, I assume that would be the charge if you go through USPS.  They can't tell you for sure the actual charge, because they don't know exactly what you are mailing back.  You could choose to use a heavier box, or mail back something that isn't the original item that weights more, etc.  Then the person selling the item/accepting the return gets charged for more postage and is out even more money.

[NotJen]

Have you read this?  It seems like you should be able to mail the package on your own, without purchasing postage through eBay: https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/start-return/return-shipping?id=4066

[slackmax]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I think I will go to the library and log into Ebay and select the 'USPS with printer option', with the $3.84 estimate. Yes the shipping cost was $3.84 for the package that arrived at my place. I will return it in the same package.

I will see if I can just print off the label at the library, on a regular piece of paper, and then tape it securely to the package. I did some more research (I wish they would just explain it step by step after you click on 'return', but they don't) and found out that the printing of the 'return label' has something on it (a qr code?) that provides tracking info, which they also recommend.

When the post office scans something on the package I give them, the postage gets paid by ebay, and deducted from my refund.

Ebay has a deal with the USPS to get lower rates than I could get in person. The USPS  told me I would pay $5.10 to send the package, including tracking. So Ebay's  rate is less.     

Thanks for the help.  It's off to the library tomorrow!

[slackmax]

Have you read this?  It seems like you should be able to mail the package on your own, without purchasing postage through eBay: https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/start-return/return-shipping?id=4066

Thanks, yes, that's what I read that made me decide to print it off at the library, and use Ebay's label.   I'll have to trust them somewhat, but at least it makes sense now. The fact that the information is embedded on the label, and that Ebay has a deal with the USPS makes sense. 

[Freedomin5]

It seems like an awful lot of work for $6.16. Plus the cost of your time to research all of this, go to the library and then to the post office.

[NotJen]

I will see if I can just print off the label at the library, on a regular piece of paper, and then tape it securely to the package.

Yes, this is exactly what I do to mail packages.  I use packing tape to secure the label and never had an issue.

I did some more research (I wish they would just explain it step by step after you click on 'return', but they don't) and found out that the printing of the 'return label' has something on it (a qr code?) that provides tracking info, which they also recommend.

Not a QR code, a good old-fashioned bar code.  The tracking code (a string of numbers) will be on the package, and given to you, and you can type the numbers into the USPS website to see when the package actually gets delivered.

I think they assume that you have received/mailed a package before (any package) and already have a visual image of what a shipping label looks like.  I assumed the same thing in my replies.

It seems like an awful lot of work for $6.16. Plus the cost of your time to research all of this, go to the library and then to the post office.

If it's something I truly couldn't/wouldn't use, I would probably do the same so that someone else has the opportunity to purchase and use the item.  Of course, local donation is an option, but it depends on how universal the item is if it would actually get to someone who would use it in my community.

[slackmax]

I went to the library today, logged into my Ebay account on their computer, and got into the return process. This time I clicked on 'USPS with printer' and hit the continue button. It downloaded a copy of the 'return label' to the computer, and I was able to print it off at their printer.

There is an 'Ebay return ID' number printed on the bottom of the label. Interesting.

Went home and cut out the label and glued it onto the package. Will take it to the Post Office tomorrow.