How To Get A Return Label From US To Canada

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

I know this has been asked before but I am confused on the exact steps to take.  A buyer from the US wants to return an item back to me in Canada. He says it is not as described. I disagree but I just want to get the item back. I bought the original label through eBay.  I used to be signed up with Shippo but not anymore as I had a lot of problems with them. Could someone please outline the steps for me to take. Thanks

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

---

@2nd-time-around-jewelry wrote:

I know this has been asked before but I am confused on the exact steps to take.  A buyer from the US wants to return an item back to me in Canada. He says it is not as described. I disagree but I just want to get the item back. I bought the original label through eBay.  I used to be signed up with Shippo but not anymore as I had a lot of problems with them. Could someone please outline the steps for me to take. Thanks

---

@2nd-time-around-jewelry 

Below is the help page for return labels. Covered is the part about arranging for them to purchase and you to reimburse shipping costs(if that is agreeable). As for purchasing a label for them I have never attempted using eBay Labels. Only with Shippo in the past and that went relatively smoothly. The important thing is for them to mark the label with "Canadian Goods returning" and reference the original tracking number to save you costs for customs. 

https://www.ebay.ca/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/return-shipping-sellers?id=4703&st=3&pos=1...

It may also be possible to purchase postage as a Canadian using Pirate ship and then forwarding them the label.

[mrdutch1001]

have done so few returns over the many years of my online selling so have no expert experience to draw from , but I found the simplest solution to be to get the buyer to purchase the label/postage as required and then reimburse that amount to the buyer....and Yes the important aspect of it all is to have the buyer return the goods  properly/correctly marked as a return; as well as adequately packaged. There is a lot weighing on the proficiency of the buyer so trust in that buyer (hope and a prayer)  & that everything goes according to buyer-seller agreement.

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

I have rarely had any returns in over 20 years of selling. Don't think I ever dealt with someone in the US wanting to send something back. I actually told him to purchase the label & have it marked as Returning Goods To Canada. I would reimburse him for the cost. He was not happy about that & said he didn't want to pay any money on a label as he might not get it back.  I said I was sorry, but that was the best I could do. I ended up giving him a partial refund. He was not happy with the amount but accepted it. I don't need this added stress. I put him on my blocked list & will move on now.

[flipistics]

---

@2nd-time-around-jewelry wrote:

I know this has been asked before but I am confused on the exact steps to take.  A buyer from the US wants to return an item back to me in Canada. He says it is not as described. I disagree but I just want to get the item back. I bought the original label through eBay.  I used to be signed up with Shippo but not anymore as I had a lot of problems with them. Could someone please outline the steps for me to take. Thanks

---

Are you close enough to the border to pop across? If so, there should be several companies just across the border that will accept parcels for a small fee. Sign up with them, then purchase a label either through Pirate Ship or Shippo. Note that if the label uses USPS, you need to fill out a form prior to the shipment being sent authorizing the company to receive mail on your behalf.  Does anyone know if you can temporarily set your eBay return address to a cross border pickup, then log into dot com and purchase the return label through eBay?

If you don't want to go across, you can try to sign up with Pirate Ship, get simple export rate added to your account, and purchase the return label directly to your home using that service.  You might have to pay duty which you can then dispute with the CBSA. 

The second option, depending on where you live, is to go through a service like Shippsy (owned by Stallion Express) to do the return. I believe they have pick up locations in Toronto and Vancouver.

The third option is if you have friends or relatives in the States. Get them to either purchase the label for you, or have the return sent to their home address and pick it up sometime in the future when you eventually see them.

[mrdutch1001]

all of which would not work for me and/or is way over-complicated for me to attempt...I'll stake my trust in a buyer-seller return agreement process that works for both parties.

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

I understand that returns can be stressful, and I don't think you were wrong to prioritize the value of your time and sanity by issuing a partial refund.

With that said, eBay policy does dictate that for a Canada/USA transaction, it is acceptable for the seller to require the buyer to purchase the return label up front. If you did have proof that you offered to provide this to the buyer and they refused to engage in the return, you would be covered by eBay. They would either close the return in your favour at the deadline, or if the return was wrongly closed in favour of the buyer, eBay would likely reimburse you.

In terms of negative feedback, it would also likely qualify for removal. eBay is supposed to remove feedback from buyers who open returns but refuse to return the item. That policy may have changed, and at the end of the day feedback is not a big deal.

Obviously, whether the buyer was acting in bad faith by making a false INAD claim, or whether it was a genuine mistake on your part might affect your willingness to bend over backwards to accommodate them. It's not my place to tell you what kind of customer service you should feel is proper, I'm only commenting on the mechanism of the return and what both you and the customer were entitled to based on eBay's policies.