8 tips for creating a better return policy for your store

In retail, a product return is the process of a customer taking previously purchased merchandise back to the retailer, and in turn receiving a refund in the original form of payment, exchange for another item (identical or different), or a store credit.

How to Deal with Product Returns in Retail

1. Prevent customers from buying the wrong product.
2. Craft good (and maybe even creative) return policies.
3. Consider loosening up your policies for holiday returns.
4. Prep and motivate your staff.
5. Promote exchanges, store credit, or gift cards instead of cash returns.

The reverse logistics process usually involves returns, recalls, repairs, repackaging for restock or resale, recycling and disposal. The returned items are then sent back to factories, broken down and recycled into new parts that are used in the production of new devices.

Seven Ways to Improve Returns Processing

1. 1) Communicate, communicate, and communicate.
2. 2) Keep it simple.
3. 3) Discourage crossing channels unless the process is seamless.
4. 4) Keep it simple, part two.
5. 5) Include returns processing in your benchmarking program.
6. 6) Know your returns processing costs.

1. Make your policy prominent.
2. Ditch the legal jargon.
3. Stipulate a reasonable timeframe.
4. Define the expected condition of returns.
5. Be upfront about return shipping costs.
6. Determine whether you’ll offer store credit or a full refund.

Today, we’ll examine nine ways to lower the number of returns you receive.

1. Start with Quality Control to Reduce Returns.
2. Represent Products Accurately.
3. Represent Sizing Correctly.
4. Encourage Customer Reviews and Feedback.
5. Package Your Items Properly.
6. Clearly Display Delivery Estimates.
7. Offer Live Chat and Real-Time Support.

Return abuse is a form of “friendly fraud” where someone purchases products without intending to keep them. Perhaps the most well-known form of this abuse is “wardrobing” or “free renting” – in which the person makes a purchase, uses the product(s), and then returns the merchandise.

Our top tips for reducing your returns:

1. Make sure every product listed has high quality images and descriptions.
2. Implement size guides and fitting tools.
3. Ask your customers for reviews and reward them for it.
4. Become a pioneer of outstanding customer service.
5. Get every order right, first time.
6. Prioritise your packaging.

Here are a handful of things you can do right now to reduce your refund rate and add dollars straight to your bottom line!

1. Offer an unconditional guarantee.
2. Be available.
3. Be honest about your product.
4. Engage early, engage often, engage after.
5. Ask them why.
6. Drill into your data.

If you need to change a return request, or you no longer want to return the item, you can cancel your return. If you’ve requested an exchange or replacement, or if you’ve already been refunded, you won’t be able to cancel the return through the following steps.

What Is Amazon’s Refund Policy Without Return? The company’s Conditions of Use states that Amazon doesn’t take title to returned items until it arrives at their fulfillment center. A refund could be granted without needing a return, but this is decided solely at Amazon’s discretion.

Make returns convenient for your customer.

1. Accept eCommerce returns via shipment or in physical stores (if you have them).
2. Publish web content that is specifically about the returns process.
3. Provide pre-printed return labels.
4. Pre-printed return labels help prevent fraud.
5. Pay the cost of providing free return shipping.

Some include people buying accessories for an item they broke. They may no longer use or need the product. Or an upgraded product is available, and they want to own that product instead. It can also happen because a customer was forced to move, change jobs or just downsize their personal life.

What quantifies a good Refund Rate? Stores should aim to maintain a Refund Rate below 5%. The lower the Refund Rate, the better your store is performing and the more likely your products will gain exposure.

Start by acknowledging the refund request and your steps in determining if it was valid. Then explain your decision to deny the refund. Use active language like, “I looked into your situation and our refund policy does not allow one in this case.” Consider indicating that you spoke to a manager to add to the authority.

2 Reject the item and get a refund From 1 October 2015, under the Consumer Rights Act you have the right to reject goods that are unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described and get a full refund. But this right is limited to 30 days from the date you purchased the product.

Online, mail and phone order sales You must offer a refund to customers if they’ve told you within 14 days of receiving their goods that they want to cancel. They have another 14 days to return the goods once they’ve told you.

If you simply change your mind, the retailer has no legal obligation to give you your money back, should you return an item without a receipt. If your goods are faulty and you don’t have the receipt, you still have the right to a repair, refund or replacement as under the Consumer Rights Act.

Under consumer law, if a product or service breaks, is not fit for purpose or does not do what the seller or advertisement said it would do, you can ask for a repair, replacement or refund. Repairs, replacements and refunds are known as remedies.

Company Won’t Give You a Refund? Here’s How to Get Your Money Back

1. Try to Work it Out with the Merchant First.
2. Option 1: Request a Chargeback.
3. Option 2: Consider Mediation.
4. Option 3: Sue in Small Claims.
5. Option 4: Pursue Consumer Arbitration.
6. FairShake Can Help Make Arbitrating a Breeze.

A business can refuse to give you a free repair, replacement or refund if: you simply changed your mind. you misused the product or service in a way that contributed to the problem. you asked for a service to be done in a certain way against the advice of the business, or were unclear about what you wanted.

You don’t have an automatic right to get your money back if you just change your mind about something you’ve bought and there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s the same no matter how expensive the item was – it’s really down to the seller whether they offer you anything.

The eight consumer rights are: The right to satisfaction of basic needs – to have access to basic, essential goods and services such as adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water and sanitation.

The Consumer Guarantees Act does not cover: goods normally bought for commercial or business purposes (for example, a photocopier) goods bought through a private sale – for example, garage sales, the “For sale” columns of newspapers, and buying from an ordinary person selling on Trade Me.

If the item is faulty or not fit for purpose you have the right to reject or return the goods and demand a refund, a repair or a replacement. You must inform the seller within 30 days of receiving it if you decide to reject the goods and have a refund.

E-Complaints Section 17 of the Act provides that a complaint regarding unfair trade practice, violation of consumer rights or misleading and false advertisements can be filed in electronic mode also to the District Collector, the Regional Office Commissioner or the Central Authority.

Some common consumer rights violations to look out for when buying a home include: Lenders who require unaffordable loans. Misrepresenting a loan or its terms. Encouraging a buyer to refinance a loan so the lender can collect extra fees.

Rights of consumers: Six consumer rights have been defined in the Bill, including the right to: (i) be protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property; (ii) be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services; (iii) be assured of …

An example of the violation of the right to choose would be a telecom company wanting the customers to buy even the mobile phone from them if they want to avail their internet services.

: the act of violating : the state of being violated: such as. a : infringement, transgression specifically : an infringement of the rules in sports that is less serious than a foul and usually involves technicalities of play.