What does the return lifecycle cover?

Returns move through ten statuses from initial request to final resolution. Each return carries a type and a reason code, drawn from five return types and ten reason codes. Because the statuses are consistent, you can see where returns are stalling.

How do returns connect to inventory?

A return that arrives at the warehouse becomes receiving work in the same system that handles inbound. Inventory is updated as the return is processed, so restocked units are available again without a separate reconciliation step between a returns tool and a warehouse system.

Can I analyze why customers return things?

Yes. Reason codes are structured, which makes them usable in analytics. You can look at return rates by reason, by SKU, or by fulfillment location and see whether a spike traces back to a product issue, a packing issue, or a specific site.

How does returns management fit with the rest of the platform?

Returns management and the RMA lifecycle run on the same data model as orders, inventory, and shipping. A return label, an RMA status, and the receiving task that follows all point at the same order record, so there is nothing to reconcile between a returns tool and a warehouse system. Talk to us about how your current returns process would map onto it.

Handle returns from request to restock

Issue the return label from the order and track each return by type: refund, exchange, replacement, store credit, or repair. Inspect received goods before they go back to stock, and keep the same reason codes across every return.

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Returns

4 open

Return · typeStage

RMA-4471

Refund

Inspected, restocked

RMA-4468

Exchange

Received at DC West

RMA-4465

Replacement

Label issued, in transit

RMA-4462

Store credit

Requested

The refund waits on inspection, not on the carrier scan. A damaged item routes to repair instead of the shelf.

Returns on CommerceShip

Return labels

Create the return label from the order, and record the return event on the order.

RMA lifecycle

Track each return from requested to completed, with the return type on the record.

Reason codes

Tag each return with a reason code. Consistent codes make returns comparable across products and channels.

Receiving and inspection

Receive and inspect returned goods before they go back to stock.

How a return goes from request to restock

Request the return, send the label, receive and inspect the goods, and close the return by its type.

Returns · This week

10-status lifecycle

RMATypeReasonStatus

RMA-3391RefundSized smallIn transit

RMA-3390ExchangeWrong colourReceived

RMA-3388WarrantyDamaged in transitInspected

RMA-3384RefundSized smallClosed, refunded

"Sized small" is 38% of returns on this SKU, up from 12%

Five return types and ten reason codes, so the pattern is countable rather than anecdotal

Approve the return and send the label

The customer requests a return with a reason code, you approve the return against the order, and the label goes out on the same order record.

Receive and inspect before the refund

The warehouse receives and inspects the returned goods, and the return moves to approved or rejected. The refund, exchange, or replacement follows from the return type.

Returns

3 active

This week

In transit

Received

#4521

Wrong size

Label sent

USPS

#4489

Damaged

In transit

FedEx

#4456

Changed mind

Received

UPS

Support · Ticket 4471

Support agent · level 2

Asked

“Where is my order and why was part of it split?”

Order #10488

Shipped Mar 8, one line backordered

Tracking

In transit, UPS Ground, due Thursday

Returns policy

Knowledge base, updated Feb 2

Reply drafted, waiting for you

Cites the tracking date, explains the backordered line against the next receipt, and links the returns policy.

Compare returns by reason code and product

Consistent reason codes and return types make the quarter's returns comparable by product and channel.

Send us your returns data for a demo

We'll show a return from label to refund on your data. Or get access and try the returns workflow yourself.

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Returns FAQs

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