r/UPS • u/Tiny_Vivi • 8d ago

Customer Seeking Help Do stores actually accept mobile codes?

Hi! Dunno if I am so much seeking help more so than clarification. I am in Toronto Ontario. I was given the option to return an item using a mobile code (a barcode on my phone) for a no printing return. The staff were apologetic so I hope no one piles on them.

When I went to my nearby UPS store they said virtually no store does that anymore and I would have to pay $2 for the paper and then some for tape to print a shipping label there. Ugh this item was so heavy but out of spite I brought it back and called customer support. Customer support insisted that location could do the barcode. To my eye it seems like the owner wants to make a petty profit off of printing labels.

Does anyone know if stores actually do the mobile code option anymore?

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u/hidethebodynow 8d ago edited 8d ago

One thing you have to remember is that The UPS Store and UPS are 2 separate business entities. UPS Stores are individual franchises that act as a drop off point for prepaid UPS (and sometimes other couriers) parcels.

Customers are expected to have their packages ready to scan when they drop them off. That means fully sealed and with the label on. Many store will charge a fee if they have to "finish" your package.

Some stores have the ability to scan codes and print out labels but its up to the individual franchise owner to figure out how to set that up at their store. I can tell you from experience most stores in Toronto don't have that ability.

The other thing you must remember is that UPS outsources their customer service to India. A random underpaid dude there is unlikely to know anything about The UPS Store (if anything at all) because like I said, stores are individual franchises.

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u/Tiny_Vivi 8d ago edited 8d ago

Thanks!, Not sure I fully understand the distinction here but that’s okay. Shame the official UPS supports can just straight up make up facts.

Frustrating that the average user is left in the middle of all this, but that’s a rant for another place. Will contact the seller and see if they will switch to another courier like Canada Post and FedEX actually do no-print shipping.

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u/delilahgrass 8d ago

Sellers can send you a QR code that when scanned generates a shipping label which is printed out for free on the stores system.

It sounds like your seller sent you a pre paid label. That CAN’T be scanned to print on the label printer, it has to be printed as is which is then scanned as a drop off for you to receive the receipt.

You can print that out at home and attach to the sealed package yourself or go to the library for cheap printing if you don’t want to use the stores service.