Returns and exchanges are usually considered to be painful processes for both merchants and customers.

Returns and exchanges are inevitable parts of online business and every retailer has to deal with them carefully.

It is believed that returns and exchanges have always been viewed as a sign of dissatisfied customers.

On a positive note, while returning or exchanging a product, a retailer gets the opportunity to showcase excellent and prompt customer service.

Online Shopping Should be as Easy as Online Returns and Exchanges

To win the loyalty of a customer for a longer period of time, it is always advisable to keep the returns & exchange policies simple and in the favor of the customers. If you are selling through various marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, Rakuten, etc.,

you can be assured that they have customer-friendly returns and exchange policies which make the entire process quite easy.

It is a straightforward fact that your customers expect quick and uncomplicated service when it comes to returning or exchanging a product.

As per the survey done by UPS and ComScore – 63% of Americans study the returns and exchange policy before making a purchase. 48% of customers shop more from online stores offering hassle-free returns.

Managing Inventory – A Challenge While Returning or Exchanging Products

Returns and exchanges can become a challenge if you are managing your inventory with the help of a few spreadsheets.

To give a hassle-free experience to your customers while returning or exchanging the products, you need to be very accurate during this entire process.

The customer has already paid for the product he is returning or exchanging, and if he is not informed regularly at each and every level, he might panic and get dissatisfied with your services.

If you are using an inventory management system like ESellerHub, you can keep the track of the inventory after your shipping partner has picked the product and keep the customer informed about the product and the refunds at each and every step.

There is a certain process that is followed by the customers and retailers while returning or exchanging the products –

1. The customer requests a return or exchange with the marketplace or your e-commerce store
2. You as a retailer get that notification and register a pickup of the product from the address of the customer
3. The product is received by you and is going through a quality check to determine if it has been damaged by the customer or not.
4. The product is stored in the warehouse and reversed in the inventory management system
5. The customer is refunded the amount in case of returns and sent another product requested by the customer in case of exchange.

Improvising the Process of Returns and Exchanges with the Help of Technology

Managing returns and exchanges through an inventory management system make the entire process quick and accurate.

You very well know how important it is to accurately manage returns and exchanges for your e-commerce business.

You cannot risk your business by committing errors or delaying the process of returns and exchanges. So, it would be always better to automate the entire process and make returns and exchanges a painless process for you and your customers.

Easy Returns for Customers

If you see from your customer’s point of view, the returns and exchange process should be simple and flawless.

You can improve customer loyalty, by sending printed return labels to your customers and providing them with flexible return shipping facilities.

It will make it easy for them to return unwanted items and get a refund or replacement.

Automated Reverse Logistics

With the help of an inventory management system, it becomes easy to communicate with logistics partners and suppliers regarding returns.

It will save the time required to complete the entire returns and exchange process and enable you to give refunds to your customers as soon as possible.

Handling inventory manually while returns or exchanges; is a sure-shot way to dissatisfy the customer and lose him forever.

Real-Time Monitoring

Monitoring or tracking the inventory on a real-time basis is very important for any E-commerce business.

It is really frustrating for you and your customers if not able to view the status of the product returned.

If you have an automated inventory management system, you can immediately view the exact count of stock available with you after you receive the returned product and also show the exact figures to your customers.

Create Smart Process

All returns and exchanges are not for the same reason. Through a smart process of returns and exchanges, you can come to know the reason customers are returning or exchanging the products.

This way, you can reduce the number of returns and exchanges in the future by improvising products and customer support.

It Is Time to Manage Returns & Exchanges Intelligently

As per Greve-Davis’s whitepaper, with the improved visibility relating to returned stock, a company can increase revenue by 5% of total sales.

To help you with creating an intelligent process for all your returns and exchanges we offer a multiple marketplace management system – E-Seller Hub.

You can now keep your customers informed at each and every step and also keep a real-time watch on your returned stock.

So, just organize your returns and exchanges to give your customers a convenient shopping experience and enjoy the perks of increased sales & profits.

Find out how ESellerHub can help your business grow

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