Do you have to go through the Ebay returns option or can you contact seller & arrange yourself?

[110573rachel]

I have recently returned two items on Ebay to sellers that accept returns. However, this time the screen layout seemed to be different and I also had to log into PayPal as part of the process for postage label payment. I was charged £3.25 per parcel for a Royal Mail tracked 48 service, I know that I could have posted one of these items for less than half that price (classed as a large letter) if I'd sorted out the postage myself.  I went through purchase history>return this item.

What is the best way to return items, is it acceptable to just contact the seller and sort it out between yourselves or do you have to go through the more costly Ebay reurns process? 

[110573rachel]

Many thanks for your reply. What about the price difference in postage though? Or do I just have accept Ebay's calculation and the amount hat they are deducting from my PayPal account for a tracked parcel even if I know that I could get the postage cheaper at the post office?

[110573rachel]

Many thanks for your reply.

[tressygirl]

If it is for an item not as described the seller pays for that fully tracked return label, and it is sent to you.

If returning for change of mind / does not fit , then you pay, do not go by eBay's postage price recommendations, go to Post Office, and pay there, for a fully tracked return postage. @110573rachel 

[110573rachel]

That's where I tripped up, it felt like I was in a process whereby I had no choice other than to go with one of 2 inflated postage options that Ebay was giving me. Then to continue Ebay was asking me to log in PayPal too so that it could charge me it's set postage prices - the way the whole thing is set out makes you feel like the refund won't get processed if you don't go with Ebays options there and then. Many thanks @tressygirl and @markflorida for your input.
I think that in future if something doesn't fit and the seller accepts returns I'll just contact them for a returns address and go to the post office and buy tracked postage directly from there.

[tressygirl]

Yep, that will be the way to go because for an item does not fit reason for returning, you the buyer pay for that fully tracked return postage so you might as well just take it to the post office and pay the postage there.

However the seller would need you to open that case ,otherwise for them to refund directly thropugh Paypal gives them a defect on their account, and they pay a seller fee. Just don't use any recommended eBay / Paypal postage options there.

[tara*teller]

Hello

I know exactly where you're coming from here, the system is a bit one way or no way and it doesn't always work out well for the buyer when returning!  small point to note too that if the seller is UK based and the item is faulty then it's the seller who pays to have the item back but for change of mind or item not fitting or something like then it's the buyer who pays.

You can do it between yourselves but some sellers prefer to use the eBay returns process as it then makes a record of the return and there's no chance of any doubt as to what happened regarding the refund.

My advice would be to contact the seller first and ask how they wish to handle the return, some will be fine with that.