So You Want To Return Your Order
If an etailer supplies a solid product, instead of a products which is downloaded, at some point they will need to process a return. The number of returns will vary from product to product and indeed from sector to sector, but whether its computer equipment, DVDs, shoues, clothing or anything else, at some time a customer will send something back they have bought.
There are a multitude of reasons why a product will be returned, wrong size and faulty are both valid reasons as are a multitude of other reasons. The majority of retailers will deal with these returns in a speedy manner; however there are times when this cannot be done because of something the person returning the goods has done, not on purpose, but still creating a delay in the time it takes to process the return.
After analysing delayed returns I have been able to narrow it down to five causes for such delays, inconveniencing customers and sometimes causing bad feeling between the customer and the company.
1 – Enclose your details
It was found that over 50% of delays were caused by order details not being included in the return. At least an order number must be included with the return in order for the company to track you on their computer system. Even better still you should include your name and address. Ideally a copy of the invoice being enclosed is the most helpful option.
2 – Do you want and exchange?
It’s happened to us all, you buy that brand new So you put it back in the bag or box, together with a copy of your invoice and post it back to the mail order company, easy. However a large quantity of delays are the result of the receiving retailer not being told what to do with the retruned item. What do you want to happen to it? Do you simply want a refund, a different colour or a different size? A little note on the delivery note would suffice, but you do need to tell them what you would like to happen.
3 – Do you need to obtain a returns number?
A large variety of retailers now require customers to confirm returns before you physically put the thing in the post. The process is normally pretty easy. You get in contact with them to advise them you are going to return an item; they give you a code which you need to enclose with the returned goods and you return it via whichever method you have chosen. It is always wise to check with the company if they require a returns number.
4 – Send by signed delivery
Whichever method you use to return your order, ensure delivery service obtain a signature on delivery~a signature is obtained when it is delivered}. No delivery service is perfect and parcels do go missing. The majority of signed delivery services will carry insurance of some sort, so if your package does go missing you will have some recompense.
5 – Have you got the correct address?
There are two parts to this. Firstly many retailers have a different returns address, which they use to process all retruned items. Sending your parcel to the head office will only mean they then have to send it on to the proper returns department, thus delaying your return being processed. Secondly the addressing of warehouse buildings can be different, with block numbers, office numbers, departments and more. Check that you are returning it to B12 and not 12B; these could prove to be completely different companies.
By following these five rules any return you make should be dealt with speedily and to everyones satisfaction as you have done everything in your power to help the receiving company.
By Stephen, MD of the etailer Venus Sales Ltd which operates websites such as Temptations Direct, Sinful Sensations and Purple Pleasures.
