How are returns processed?

Returns are processed in the same logistics environment as your outbound orders. That may sound like a minor detail, but it’s the difference between a return flow that keeps pace with the rest of the process and a pile of boxes that’s handled separately, causing your inventory to fall days behind.

Arrival

A return is delivered to the same address as your regular shipments and is linked to the original order. For this reason, it’s important that the shipment can be traced: a return label, a packing slip, or an order number inside the box. Without any identifying information, we first have to determine who the package belongs to.

Review

The item will be inspected according to the instructions you have agreed upon. Is the packaging unopened? Are all parts included? Are there any signs of use? Depending on the product and the reason for the return, the item will either be returned to saleable inventory or handled according to the agreed-upon procedure.

Back in stock

If an item is deemed saleable again, it is returned to its original location and added back to your inventory count. From that point on, it can be sold again. For items with limited stock or a short product life cycle, that speed directly translates to increased sales.

What you see

Returns are listed in your account alongside your orders and deliveries. This means you can see which returns have been received, how they’ve been processed, and when an item will be available again. You don’t need separate spreadsheets, a dedicated email inbox, or manual status updates.

Why This Saves Your Customer Service Team Time

Most return-related questions aren’t about the product itself but about the status: Has my return arrived, and when will I get my money back? ConsuWijzer explains what your customer is legally entitled to expect in this regard. If that information is readily available, you can answer the question in a few seconds instead of having to make a series of phone calls.

Where It Goes Wrong

This is almost always the case with returns that lack traceable information. A customer who sends a box without a label or order number takes more time to process than ten properly prepared returns combined. Therefore, make sure your return process is clear from the start and that your customer knows what to include with the return.

International Returns

If you sell across borders, your returns will also come from multiple countries. If they go through the same supply chain, a return will simply be sent back to its original location, rather than your return flow being scattered across countries and batches.

How soon an item will be available for purchase again

The faster a return is processed, the sooner you can resell it. For items with limited stock or a short product life cycle, this is no small matter: a sold-out size that sits in a processing area for a week represents a week of lost revenue.