USPS Says "No Package, No Problem" But Packageless Returns Are Ripe For Misuse & Abuse
USPS says "no package, no problem" with new packageless return offering, but emerging details about the service show it could be ripe for abuse, causing problems for both online sellers and the Post Office
Packageless Returns were first explored in a limited trial in 2019 at 53 sites in the Southern Area's Dallas District.
Here's how it's supposed to work according to a USPS press release at that time:
Here’s how Package Less Returns will work:
- A customer brings the unpackaged item to be returned to a USPS location with RSS workstations.
- The customer presents a QR code or 8-10-digit label broker ID code sent to him or her by the merchant.
- A retail associate scans the QR code or manually enters the label broker ID code into the RSS system.
- The retail associate then selects “Label Broker” from the “RSS Mailing/Shipping” menu.
- The RSS system prints an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) label.
- The retail associate places the item into the appropriate poly bag, affixes the IMpb label on the bag, secures the bag and dispatches it, according to local procedures.
In theory, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea, and having a retail associate directly involved in placing the items to be returned in the appropriate poly bag would curtail possible abuse or misuse of these free shipping supplies - but in practice, that's apparently not what's really happening.
Post Office visitors are starting to see Package Less Returns rolled out to more locations and are sharing their thoughts (and pictures) online, revealing stand alone self-service displays with the instructions: “Return Bags: tear off bag - apply label - drop in box!”
Sellers in the Flipping subreddit immediately noted the potential for misuse and abuse, with some openly admitting they would likely take advantage of the opportunity to obtain "free" supplies even if they were not using the packageless return service.
The next misused USPS item "Return Bags"
I saw these today at my local post office. No USPS branding on them at all. I may or may not have taken a few for my upcoming eBay "returns". I wonder if they are available to order for free through the website like other USPS shipping supplies?
I might need to return a few hundred packages a day everyday
One one hand it's like thanks, me and several others are going to milk this for what it's worth. On the other, if this gets exposed it'll kill it and will discourage them from ever doing this again. What to do, what to do...
I only took 5. similar to what i used to do with priority supplies. my intrusive thought was to take the whole rack lol
Misuse of free postal supplies has been a perennial problem for USPS, for example padded Priority Mail envelopes are often used for internal cushioning in place of expensive bubble wrap and fee Priority and Express boxes may be cut down to be used for padding or inserts for extra protection.
The cost of offering these free supplies is supposed to be covered by the Priority and Express rates charged on the shipments which use them, but that doesn't work out so well when they are misused as packaging for lower cost services - or worse - covered in tape so they can be used with a completely different carrier, like eBay's jewelry authentication partner GIA is apparently fond of doing.
Liz Morton
And the potential for abuse is even higher with these packageless returns poly mailers since they don't appear to even have any USPS logos or labeling on them, making it even easier for them to be used for a variety of services and/or carriers with no way to track where they are going or what the ROI really is for this service.
One commenter on Reddit even claimed they received a triple whammy of free supply abuse when they recently received an item cushioned with bubble mailers in a Priority Box which was then placed in one of these Packageless Returns poly mailers.
An eBay purchase of mine arrived yesterday cushioned in priority mail bubble mailers, stuffed in a priority mail box, and then placed in one of these guys. Definitely felt tacky.
The Post Office of course warns that misuse or abuse of free supplies is strictly prohibited and may even be a Federal crime, but investigations and enforcement action are extremely rare.
While it may understandably be a low priority for USPS to police the use of existing free supplies, is it really the best idea to introduce yet another service with free packaging ripe for abuse when the Postal Service reported a staggering $9.5 Billion loss last year?
USPS has far released very little public information about Packageless Returns, but a spokesperson recently told EcommerceBytes:
“The Postal Service is rolling out Packageless Returns capabilities for brands and companies that want to improve the return experience for their customers, and for residential customer convenience. For eligible return items, polybags will be made available to customers at participating locations, eliminating the need for a shipping box or label.
“These polybagged items will enter the mailstream directly without additional packaging, fees or consolidation. Items that are liquid, fragile, perishable or potentially hazardous cannot be accepted at self-service, and cannot be shipped using a polybag.”
In addition to possible misuse of free USPS packaging, sellers also worry this service could lead to return abuse if buyers use the non-padded envelopes to ship back fragile or easily damaged items - and that could be particularly problematic if the service is picked up and/or eventually made mandatory by the marketplaces where they do business.
What do you think of USPS Package Less Returns? Let us know in the comments below!
