how to write a return policy

How do I make a return policy?

• Create a return policy that builds trust with customers.
• Be clear and concise when writing your return policy.
• Don't demand things from your customers.
• Make your return policy easy to find and access on your website.
• Make sure your teams know your return and refund policy.
• Take responsibility for mistakes.
• Give examples of your policy in action.

Full Answer

How to create a return policy for your business?

Create a return policy that builds trust with customers. Be clear and concise when writing your return policy. Don't demand things from your customers. Make your return policy easy to find and access on your website.

Is it legal to have a No Return Policy?

Depending on your country and state laws, you can technically have a no refund, no return policy. But a no return policy can make customers distrust your brand and abandon a purchase. How do I make a return policy? Create a return policy that builds trust with customers. Be clear and concise when writing your return policy.

How to have a holiday returns policy?

Here are five things retailers can do to have a customer-focused holiday returns policy: 1 Extend your deadline for returns and exchanges 2 Inform your customers about your new policy 3 Set up a dedicated area for returns and exchanges 4 Keep your returned items organized 5 Schedule enough staff to support the rush More ...

What should be included in a return and refund policy?

A return and refund policy is an agreement between customers and your business regarding returns and refunds. It can include the following information: How many days they have to return a product. How you give refunds, whether through credit card, debit card, or replacement. Who pays the shipping charges for returns.

How do you write a return and refund policy?

Requirements of a return policyStipulate a time frame for returns. ... Define the expected condition of returns. ... List return requirements. ... Choose refund or in-store credit. ... Keep the language simple and to the point. ... Disclose any fees associated with returns. ... Promote your policy.

What should be included in a return policy?

The following are add-ons with more information that you may want to include: How long it takes to receive your refund, replacement product, or store credit. Any shipping fees the customer will need to pay. Any return restocking fees the customer will need to pay.

What is a standard return policy?

A return policy lays out how long a customer has to return items, in what condition the items must be, if they need a receipt and whether they will receive cash or store credit. Without a return policy, there can be disagreements over when and what can be returned or exchanged at the store.

How do you write a business return policy?

Small business return policy tipsBe consistent with your policy. ... Post your policy in clear view of customers and employees. ... Explain your policy to the customer when they make a purchase. ... Train employees so they know how to handle returns. ... Check out your competitors so you know what their return policies look like.

How do you write a return letter?

How to write a return-to-work letterAddress the letter to the correct person. ... Thank them for authorizing your work leave. ... Attach the proper documentation. ... Mention how you plan to get reacclimated. ... Close the letter with gratitude.

What to say to return an item?

Smile and say, "Hi, I want to return this item which I bought last week." Show the clerk the item and your receipt. Don't delay returning the item. Some stores allow returns but only for a certain amount of time. For example, many stores only allow returns within 14 days of the purchase.

How do small business handle returns?

Create A Return PolicyChoose To Allow Returns, Exchanges, Or Both. Depending on the nature of your product, you may choose to allow returns, exchanges, or both. ... List It Everywhere. ... Set A Time Limit. ... Create Rules & Restrictions. ... Consider Return Shipping. ... Decide On Proof-Of-Purchase Requirements.

Can a business refuse to give a refund?

Customer Returns and Refunds Under Federal Law While many retailers have decided this makes for the best business practice, they aren't legally required to accept returns. Rather, retailers are required to accept returns only if the sold good is defective or if they otherwise break the sales contract.

Is it illegal to not give a refund?

A business cannot have a 'No Refund' policy. It's against the law to say you will not provide a refund under any circumstances. This includes sales, gift items and even secondhand goods.

Do companies need a return policy?

Like all policies, a return and refund policy keeps your business running smoothly. Return policies may seem like an unnecessary headache but they are a crucial part of building customer loyalty. When customers return an item they bought, managers generally look at this as a loss, but they are not necessarily right to.

What is 30 day return policy?

For example, the 30 days could mean that you have to exchange the purchase within 30 days of purchasing the items. It could also mean that you have 30 days to use a promotion or discount within the store.

How do you handle customer returns?

3 Tips to Make the Most of Your Returns in Retail and Convert More SalesKeep Your Losses As Low As Possible. Minimize your losses with return stipulations. ... Record of All Returns, Exchanges, Refunds in Retail. ... Make Sure You're Always Providing Excellent Customer Service.

What should a manager consider when determining a return policy for customer's sales?

They are:Monetary Leniency: How much of the price of purchase is refunded.Time Leniency: The duration within which returns are accepted.Effort Leniency: How hard it is for consumers to return the item.Exchange Leniency: Whether refunds come in the form of store credit or cash.More items...•

Why do stores have a return policy?

Overall, a Return and Refund Policy will encourage consumers to buy from your store and to place trust in your brand. It can even be used as a marketing strategy to attract new customers and increase your sales.

How do I write a no return policy?

Use Plain Language. When it comes to wording your no refund policy, keep it as simple and straightforward as possible. Avoid legalese and forceful language such as “you must” or “you need to.” Make the refund process easy to understand for your customers.

Is a return a refund?

No. A return is when a customer sends an item back to your store or warehouse. They usually have to return an item before they get a refund. A refu...

What is a return and refund policy?

A return and refund policy is an agreement between customers and your business regarding returns and refunds. It can include the following informat...

Are refunds legally required?

Depending on your country and state laws, you can technically have a no refund, no return policy. But a no return policy can make customers distrus...

How do I make a return policy?

Create a return policy that builds trust with customers. Be clear and concise when writing your return policy. Don't demand things from your custom...

What Is the Purpose of a Return Policy?

The purpose of a return policy is to outline the specific requirements as to how, when, and under what circumstances shoppers can return their purchased items. In addition, a return policy demonstrates that you care about your customers and their satisfaction with your goods and services.

Return Policy Solutions

There are three methods available for creating a return policy. However, you need to be clear and direct; whether you make one yourself or use a managed solution or template.

Common Questions to Answer in Your Return Policy

Return windows are key; one of the first things customers will look for is the length of your return window. Therefore, this information must be prominent.

What Your Return Policy Needs to Include

To run a successful e-commerce business, you need a return policy that caters to the customer and protects your business from fraudulent returns. In addition, the policy must be clear and enforced consistently.

What to Avoid in a Return Policy

Your return policy should never be overly technical. Covering every detail in a direct and informative way is important. But, on the other hand, you should avoid a convoluted return policy using poor formatting and specialized language at all costs.

Tips for Writing a Good Return Policy

Return policies need to be presented in a clear and straightforward manner, from the wording you use to a simplified font to how the policy is formatted.

Where to Display Your Return Policy

It’s always a good idea to feature your return policy on every page of your website.

Why is it important to have a return policy?

That said, it’s important to include certain features in any return policy aimed at optimizing the customer experience and workflow efficiency.

Why do companies focus on returns?

Most companies see returns as a cost center and focus most of their time, energy, and money on preventing them rather than optimizing them. But, while returns are not the most glamorous department, a clear and deliberate policy surrounding them can improve almost every aspect of your business.

What is a return window?

How to Create Return Windows. Most return policies must prescribe a start and end date between which a customer can return a product. This period is called a return window, and without one, you could expose your company to a multitude of return issues.

How long is the return window?

Next is deciding the length of your return window. Generally, e-commerce retailers have return windows between 30-60 days.

Is a return policy vague?

A return policy is no place to be vague; your return policy should be clear-cut and simple. The customer relationship is already at risk when a return is made. A deliberately confusing policy can completely sever ties between your business and the customer in this tenuous time. Thus, your policy should be as consumer-centric ...

Can a return policy be altered?

Return policies can also be altered based on return reasons or based on the type of return item. For instance, if the return item has a warranty, or if the return is resulting from a manufacturing defect, your business may want to offer free return shipping for these items.

Do you have to include return policy exceptions?

It is also important to tailor them to the specific needs of the return. Depending on the return type, reason, or item, your company may want to include return policy exceptions. For instance, many E-commerce retailers like to prioritize and incentivize exchanges instead of other forms of returns.

What is a return policy?

A return policy is a set of rules that merchants establish to manage how customers return or exchange unwanted or defective products that they’ve previously purchased or received as a gift. Return policies are considered an extension of the customer service that a merchant provides–the best ones are customer-centric and flexible to each case’s ...

How to return items to a store?

Sometimes, your regular return policy just won’t cut it during the holiday season. Here are five things retailers can do to have a customer-focused holiday returns policy: 1 Extend your deadline for returns and exchanges 2 Inform your customers about your new policy 3 Set up a dedicated area for returns and exchanges 4 Keep your returned items organized 5 Schedule enough staff to support the rush

How many steps should be taken to return and exchange?

According to Baron Christopher Hanson, lead consultant and owner of RedBaronUSA, retailers should aim for returns and exchanges to take no more than three steps .

What does return mean in sales?

A return can literally bring a new customer to your doors. This is an opportunity to wow them with your customer service and leave a positive first impression. Maybe they weren’t a fan of what they were initially gifted, but with your sales associate’s help, they may find something they fancy.

Why is it important to keep returns organized?

While processing returns and exchanges are important, according to Moss, it’s equally important to keep returned items organized so that sales associates know what to do with them afterward. “Simply throwing all returned items into a cart or behind the counter for expediency’s sake takes up tons of time later on.

Why is a flexible return policy important?

A flexible return policy with the right customer service can help you create and retain more customers long-term. Rather than see it as a lost sale, see it as an opportunity to build a relationship.

Can you return a Lightspeed purchase?

With Lightspeed, retailers can process returns, refunds and exchanges either by searching the system for the original transaction (either by date of purchase, item name, payment type or by the name of the sales associate who completed the transaction) or by creating a new sale and converting it into a refund.

What is a return policy?

Return policies are the rules a retailer creates to manage how customers return and exchange unwanted merchandise they purchased. A return policy tells customers what items can be returned and for what reasons, as well as the timeframe over which returns are accepted.

Why have a return policy?

A fair return policy builds trust between a business and its customers. In fact, offering a clear and consistent way for customers to return a purchased item can increase conversion and repeat rates.

Setting up a return management system

If you’re running an ecommerce business, you’ll want to put a return management system in place to manage returns in your store. Having an easy process can take the pain out of returns for both the business and its customers.

Where to put a standard return policy

It’s not enough to have a well-written return policy—you must also make sure customers see it before they buy. When talking to a frustrated customer who is trying to return an item marked as final sale, simply telling them it’s their fault for not reading the policy is unlikely to resolve the issue.

Strategies for more profitable returns

An unavoidable consequence of offering returns to customers is that it’s not cheap. Although you can cut down on customer service hours with an app, the shipping fees associated with returning a product and restocking it can still threaten your profitability.

Making the most of your return and refund policy

No matter how much effort you put into your product and customer experience as you grow your business, chances are you will still encounter a few unsatisfied customers along the way.

Return policy FAQ

No. A return is when a customer sends an item back to your store or warehouse. They usually have to return an item before they get a refund. A refund means giving the customer all or some of their money back for an unwanted item.

Should You Accept Returns?

As you decide whether you should accept returns, consider the value of your pieces as well as how much (on average) they cost you to create and ship.

Writing Your Return Policy

Consider the nature of your work: the size, the materials, and the value, and consider the most likely scenarios in which it may need to be returned (or which you have already experienced). Write your policy accordingly.

How to Avoid Returns

Once you have a return policy written, adopt business practices that will protect you from the need to give refunds and accept returns.

Resources

We created a sample return policy you can copy/paste into your own website. Get it in the Free Resource Library.

What is a return policy and why do you need one?

Return policies are the rules a retailer creates to manage how customers return and exchange unwanted merchandise they purchased. A return policy tells customers what items can be returned and for what reasons, and the timeframe over which returns are accepted.

Setting up an RMA system for returns and exchanges

If you’re running an ecommerce business, you’ll want to put a return merchandise authorization system (RMA) in place to manage returns in your store. Having an easy returns process can take the pain out of returns and exchanges for both the business and its customers.

Where to put a standard return policy

It’s not enough to have a well-written return and exchange policy—you must also make sure customers see it before they buy. When talking to a frustrated customer who is trying to return an item marked as final sale, simply telling them it’s their fault for not reading the policy is unlikely to resolve the issue.

Tools to power your returns and refund policy

Just like having a formal return and exchange policy will help eliminate some of the hours spent on customer service, using the right services for processing returns and exchanges will save you both time and money on the shipping and fulfillment and operations sides.

Strategies for more profitable returns and exchanges

An unavoidable consequence of offering returns and exchanges to customers is that it’s not cheap. Although you can cut down on customer service hours with an app, the shipping fees associated with returning a product and restocking it can still threaten your profitability.

Making the most of your return and refund policy

No matter how much effort you put into your product and customer experience as you grow your business, chances are you will still encounter a few unsatisfied customers along the way.

Return policy FAQ

No. A return is when a customer sends an item back to your store or warehouse. They usually have to return an item before they get a refund. A refund means giving the customer all or some of their money back for an unwanted item.