Processing them.
THE PROCESS
Customer requests a return You approve and provide instructions The item arrives You inspect it You refund or replace You restock or dispose
THE INSPECTION STEP
Check the item is as described before refunding.
Photograph anything disputed.
RESTOCKING
Add it back to stock if saleable.
Failing to restock is a common cause of stock discrepancies.
FOR DAMAGED RETURNS
Remove from stock. Do not resell damaged goods.
REFUNDING
Through your gateway, to the original payment method.
Promptly. A delayed refund becomes a chargeback.
WHAT TO RECORD
Return reason Whether it was resaleable Which product
THAT DATA IS VALUABLE
Return reasons tell you what to fix on product pages.
Wrong size, not as described and wrong item sent are all preventable.
WHAT TO REVIEW
Return rate per product. A high rate on one item means something is wrong with its page.