Update 9/27/22: This program will end on 11/27/22:
Our Return Shipping on Us service is coming to an end. Starting November 27th, 2022, PayPal will no longer provide free return shipping labels or refunds for return shipping costs. Make sure to submit any eligible requests before the above date to ensure your claim is accepted.
[Reposting 11/20/18 as a reminder for shopping season. I regularly forget about this benefit myself and it’s really kinda useful. Most sites accept Paypal and it’s easy enough to checkout through Paypal instead of checking out directly on the website. Be sure to activate again – it might have to be reactivated each calendar year.]
The Offer
- Get free returns when paying for items with Paypal: Paypal will reimburse the cost of up to 12 returns over the course of the calendar. Max $30 reimbursement for each return.
To request a refund, go to the transaction in your Paypal history and find the ‘Request return shipping refund’ option.
The Fine Print
- Must activate benefit with your Paypal account – it is not automatic (I’m not sure if it will need to be activated again each calendar year)
- Refund is only for instances that the merchant does not offer free return shipping
- Must initiate refund request within 30 calendar days of the return
- Must submit proof of return to the seller’s address + proof of shipping costs
Our Verdict
The $30 allowance is pretty generous and should cover most regular returns. Definitely worth using Paypal when buying an item that may need a paid return. Paypal ran this offer in previous years as a test run, and it now looks like a permanent benefit. I’ll definitely be using Paypal for clothing purchases and the like which could need a return.
I don’t see any restriction excluding resellers, and this should come in handy for them, though there is the limit of 12 per Paypal account.
HT: Slickdeals
RIP. This was my only reason for using PayPal, and I often specifically used PayPal for this feature. I’m pretty sure they still came out ahead on transaction fees even with the few claims I submitted, but I guess it was inevitable that it would be killed off.
SO SAD. I used this for buying/returning clothes. You never know what will fit, but I was able to purchase with total confidence this way.
I am very disappointed but frankly this isn’t too surprising.
I used this several times per year, and each time it likely cost Paypal $5-10 per instance. I cannot imagine that Paypal is making that much money off of transaction fees alone. However, they are selling my data too I’m sure, so the least Paypal could do is offer this service.
Now that this is ending, I have zero reason to ever use Paypal. Good riddance.
No reason to use Paypal for payment now.
Don’t you still get the 180 days claim option?
Except for bonus categories on Chase and discover cards.
Bummer. Used this a few times a year from the handful of places that don’t do free return shipping. Really useful for apparel/clothing.
Well that’s unfortunate. I used Paypal often times because of this benefit, mostly for clothing related purchases. Now I will just pay with a credit card.
thanks joe biden /s
accurate statement, minus the /s
Beware they’re rolling new features a new PayPal logo is debuting this Fall and an app where you can track all your receipts at no cost to you.
Been eagerly awaiting a new logo rollout!
I bet it will have a “P” in it.
Maybe they’ll think outside the box and flip it around, so it’s a “d”.
RIP. Took advantage many times especially for costly international returns.
I believe claims were outsourced to a firm in Russia or Ukraine. I wonder if the current skirmish had anything to do with this decision.
Welp… didn’t even know this was a thing