Why am I being told who to use as courier?

JustAnotherSaver

I've posted a bit in here lately so wasn't really wanting to ask another but that's not turned out too well.

Bought an item on eBay as I had one but thought I'd thrown it out as couldn't find ..... found it this morning.

So want to return the unopened item for a refund & I'm within window.

As I go through the process I get to this screen:

I can't go to the next stage without picking one of those options.

I don't want to pick Royal Mail because £3.35 is just their 2nd class option. Not sure if I'll get any return protection on that (proof of postage - as in proof I sent an item to the address, not just posted 'something' to god knows where).

For about £1 less, I can send via Evri with coverage up to £20 so that's who I want to choose.

So why am I being forced to use one of these 3? (Obviously there is a 4th option, yes I'm aware - don't return it).

JustAnotherSaver

Looks like I can't delete the thread.

So in case anyone finds this as they encounter the same issue -

eBay live chat just told me don't worry, use whatever courier you like so long as the return is tracked.

If there's any issue then get back in touch with them but keep proof of return.

soolin

If you want to return something and buy an ebay label you need to use those options. You can risk buying your own label if you choose on the basis that if it fails to get there you can make a claim from your courier.

Some sellers, and perhaps ebay are conscious of the fact that Evri do occasionally just abandon packages which might not be secure for a return. The RM option though should have tracking once you buy it.

Spoonie_Turtle

For future reference, RM standard parcels have delivery confirmation and the proof of postage shows the house number and the postcode, which is proof you've sent it to that address.

I can understand wanting to use a cheaper service though, especially as actually RM 2nd class is 50p cheaper than that if you buy through RM themselves online!  (And possibly also PayPal, but I haven't done that since the prices increased so don't know for sure.)

JustAnotherSaver

There's a point. PayPal.

They were doing a thing a while back where they refunded you your returns postage if you proved payment. Is that still a thing or is that long since gone?

I haven't actually paid yet. What's the situation with Royal Mail? The cheapest is just 2nd class, not recorded but just 2nd class - what does that get me, anything?

The item actually isn't worth a lot. Was about £10 to which I'm sure some will say what's the point but it's like this -

I really have 2 options with it.

1) Return it and get a few quid back for it once postage is deducted.

2) Chuck it in the bin and get nothing at all for it.

Some would say re-list it but it'd be on par with relisting a run-of-the-mill phone case. Every man & his dog is selling one. Plus it's no big deal for me to walk to a post office or an Evri drop off.

Now I've sent via Parcel2Go before & got paid out when the seller said they never received it back (even though courier GPS pinpointed their exact location as successful delivery).

After what you've said, just wondering which delivery service is best to select?

EDIT - job sorted, PayPal ARE doing refunds on returns. I'll go with Royal Mail then, it's just easier.

Though are you able to check if your PO has a printer for the QR code & print in store? I've never seen one in my local PO and I don't see it listed as a service for them.

But every PO in the area doesn't have it listed as a service either & I'm sure at least one of them must do print in store considering I live in a city.

Spoonie_Turtle

This page seems to imply it's Customer Service Points that have the printers https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4130/

Or you can book collection to save the faff and they can bring the label, but PayPal refund the postage charge not the collection charge.

Standard 2nd class gets you compensation cover up to £20.

KxMx

Yes it's Royal Mail Customer Service Points that do QR code label printing, not Post Office's. 

JustAnotherSaver

I'm not against walking in to town. Gets me out of the house anyway.

I'm sure I've been told before but refresh me please -

apart from the price, what's the difference between 2nd class & 2nd class recorded?

I know recorded doesn't even get you a signature off the recipient.

I know recorded gets you a receipt with a tracker ID - 2 letters, 9 digits, 2 letters - and so recorded proves you sent a parcel to post code XX1 XX1.

If all I want to do is insure up to £20 & prove I sent it to a specific address, can 2nd class NONrecorded do that or does it have to be recorded?

Spoonie_Turtle

'Recorded' is officially Signed For which covers up to £50, gets you a signature on delivery, and online delivery confirmation with the tracking number.  I don't even know if it's tracked internally to find it if it goes missing (calling it a tracking number rather sounds like it ought to, but the customer gets no update until it's delivered or at least delivery attempted - same as standard).

Standard gives you a reference number on the PoP which you can look up in the tracker for delivery confirmation.  So yes you can use standard for what you want.

soolin

JustAnotherSaver said:

I'm not against walking in to town. Gets me out of the house anyway.

I'm sure I've been told before but refresh me please -

apart from the price, what's the difference between 2nd class & 2nd class recorded?

I know recorded doesn't even get you a signature off the recipient.

I know recorded gets you a receipt with a tracker ID - 2 letters, 9 digits, 2 letters - and so recorded proves you sent a parcel to post code XX1 XX1.

If all I want to do is insure up to £20 & prove I sent it to a specific address, can 2nd class NONrecorded do that or does it have to be recorded?

Your proof of posting will show a post code and house number or if you buy online (where it is cheaper) you can either take a proof of posting to be stamped or ask PO to give you a till receipt. 

The difference between signed for and standard parcels is the amount of compensation. Standard mail will cover you for £20 , signed for covers up to £50.

JustAnotherSaver

And that's on both 1st & 2nd class?

As in £20 standard applies to both and £50 recorded applies to both? 1st class doesn't get you more does it?

Thanks for the explanation anyway. For what I need I only need to pay standard, but since PayPal is offering return postage refunds, I may splash out a little.