Royal Mail collection vs QR code?

[jimthing]

I've used the RM free collection option on EBay, but for the umpteen time RM postie has failed to collect. 

The problem is...

How do you get a QR code so you can take the uncollected parcel to the nearest Post Office for them to print the label? 

AFAICT, the only options on Ebay are to print the damn label yourself... or am I missing something.

(Yes, I could rebook for another collection attempt tmrw, but I typically need to ship the item the same day, so that's a no-go. Flipping RM collection is unreliable c r a p half the time!)

Anyone know how to get a QR code in this situation? 

[*vyolla*]

I believe that once you select for RM to collect you don't get a code, but stand to be corrected here.

You're trading on a private selling account, so are subject to eBay's Simple Delivery, and I see that you are offering free delivery, in which case if you need to get this shipped today I'd take the item to the Post Office, buy postage and send it out from there and would then reclaim the postage. eBay state:

• If you selected ‘Seller pays’ and offered free postage on your listing, you'll need to fill out the Request a refund for Simple Delivery form (link below) for the label that wasn’t used. Make sure to send your request within 14 days of your item selling.
• https://www.ebay.co.uk/claims/simple-delivery/refund/seller

  To process your refund, we'll verify the following:

  • The label was paid for by you (you offered free shipping to the buyer).
  • The refund request is created within 14 days from the item's sale.
  • The label wasn't used within 14 days of the item's sale.
  • The package was delivered using a different tracking number.

    If your request meets all these conditions, you'll receive a refund for the shipping cost.

[jimthing]

No, you miss my point here slightly... 

I can use the same tracking label as Ebay provide under Simple Delivery that the postie would have bought with them at collection. But, AFAICT as I booked a collection I have to print the label myself as I cannot see a way of getting the Post Office to do it, as no QR code is available on Ebay's website (or their emails) to show the Post Office counter to print the label for me, when a collection is booked.

If you didn't book a collection when doing the SD, then they obviously do provide a QR code for the POSt Office to print, hence the problem here for collections that fail and you then suddenly need that QR code that doesn't exist! 

...unless someone else here knows how you can get the Post Office to print it when you drop it there...??

[jimthing]

OK, so no one knows if this is possible then...? 

If it isn't, then it has to be a flaw in Ebay's system here: for these failed collections, we need a QR Code! 

I asked in the Post Office if they can print a label without having a QR code (e.g. with just the tracking#), and they said NO. So an annoying issue for sellers using the SD system this remains as, for sure.

[suelel1968]

@jimthingI don't know the answer to your question but I did read this on another thread. 

Are you clicking the blue 'Get label' button once you have selected the collection date/time?

Many people are missing out that step, as it isn't particularly intuitive, but it needs to be done to complete the booking process. You should then receive confirmation emails from both eBay and Royal Mail.

You can cancel printed labels and start again so I suppose you might be able to do that with a collection label. 

[jimthing]

@suelel1968 

"You can cancel printed labels and start again so I suppose you might be able to do that with a collection label. "

Good idea... I didn't think you could cancel the SD label and then get another one without the collection in order to get one with the QR code to show at the Post Office. 

(One still has to wonder why Ebay don't just supply a QR code with collection SD labels, just as they do for without collection SD labels; as a simple courtesy so sellers don't have to bother with your suggestion of cancelling and re-getting a completely new label.) 

Anyway, I'll try that next time I have this problem, and report back to the community here. 

Gracias! 

[neovass0]

How it seems to work with me, is I select the print label from the get prepaid label section. This gives me a label to print out but automatically I also receive (in addition) an email with a QR code that the post office can scan. Again, I assumed this is the case with everyone.

[jimthing]

@neovass0 – We're talking about what happens if you book a COLLECTION... you don't get the QR code. 

[the-online-oasis]

This gives me a label to print out but automatically I also receive (in addition) an email with a QR code that the post office can scan. Again, I assumed this is the case with everyone.

Yes it does - ebay UK has ALWAYS (!) provided sellers and buyers with the option to print + save things like :  listings/payments/refunds/complaints/labels/packing lists/invoices/pictures/messages   etc. etc. etc. 

I have done this for years since I like to keep a record of things on my pc not just ebay stuff ...........  admin is the most boring thing in the world but helps to keep your mind free for nicer things in life - lol 💃🍾🍷  🙂😥

[jimthing]

Yeah, but you still don't get a QR code for items where you book a collection. As they presume it'll be collected by RM – where you either have them bring the label or you print the  label yourself to give it to them at the door. Hence Ebay presume you'll never need a QR code to take to the Post Office to get them to print the label for you. 

[medealady]

We tried once and RM didnt collect nor provide the promised label naturally. BUT you need to pay the fee @ 30p to have the item collected then they turn up (although we did print a label ourselves just in case)  Ebay's system still talk about free pick up but not so when we tried.

[jimthing]

Mmm, I think that's probably just coincidence (paying RM separately the 30p collection fee and them actually turning-up), as I've had Ebay-booked no-fee RM collections with bring-label that worked fine. BUT it's so unreliable in them actually turning-up half the time, hence users still needing the QR code to print at a Post Office if they don't want to print the label themselves at home.