If you have an online store, it’s just a matter of time before you’ll get a return in the mail that is worn, used, damaged or in some kind of disarray. Hopefully you have a return policy in your online store… even if you do not accept returns, you should still publish your policy (if not for legal or ethical reasons, because it will help your conversion rate).
So assuming you have a returns policy posted on your website, how do you deal with returns that come back and do not meet your return criteria?
Even the most liberal of online retailers, Zappos, requires returns to be in the “original condition you received them and in the original box and/or packaging.” A few notable exceptions to this rule are Lands End and L.L. Bean, who allow returns in any condition, at any time. However, these two companies are both the manufacturer and the retailer. Owning the entire supply chain process affords them more leniency than most retailers.
What happens when a customer does not follow the returns policy and simply returns a product a) after the return window has expired, b) damaged or used when your policy stipulates new and unused condition, or c) returns without following instructions such as filling out appropriate forms?
We have this happen quite often in our online store. We stipulate that most merchandise can be returned within 90 days as long as it is in new, original condition (excluding closeouts that are clearly marked final sale). We get products returned without the original packaging, products returned worn, and products returned long after the return window has closed.
So how do you handle returns that are damaged, worn, or used?
Have a Clear Return Policy
The best advice I can give is to have a clear return policy posted on your website in a prominent location. Having a published policy won’t stop customers from sending back used merchandize, but it gives you the documentation to reference in your dealings with them. After all, if you don’t publish a clear policy and instructions, how are they supposed to know what is and is not acceptable?
Outline what Is and Is Not Acceptable
In your return policy, describe as simply and concisely as possible what is an acceptable return. The wording here is important. In our return policy we instructed customers to “re-pack the shoe boxes in a corrugated shipping box” and received several packages back where the actual shoes were placed in the corrugated (cardboard) box—without the shoebox.
Be as descriptive as possible. Include photos or diagrams if necessary. I’ve even seen some online retailers (Zappos) upload video walkthroughs explaining the return process.
Create Internal Return Processing Procedures
Create internal policies on how to handle returns that do not comply your policy. Do you charge a restocking fee? Will you return the product to the customer (and at who’s expense)? Will they be able to receive a refund, store credit, or nothing?
How Other Online Retailers Handle Used and Damaged Returns
I asked several online retailers how they dealt with customer returns that were damaged, worn or used. Here’s what they had to say:
MAXBarbell.com
There have been time where shoes have been returned that were clearly worn or at least look worn. In most cases, we give the customer the benefit of the doubt, and allow the return/exchange. If the shoes are not in 100% mint condition, we do not add them back into our inventory. Instead we sell them on ebay and list them as “like new” or “worn a couple of times”.
Joseph Parrinello, Owner – MAXbarbell.com