What is return management?

Returns management is the supply chain management process by which activities associated with returns, reverse logistics, gatekeeping, and avoidance are managed within the firm and across key members of the supply chain.

Considering this, how do you handle customer returns?

Here are my top tips:

If you sell online:
Offer free returns.
Set customer expectations.
Allow in-store returns.
If you own a brick-and-mortar store:
Make it fast.
Train all salespeople to handle returns.
Related article: The Value of Customer Loyalty.

Furthermore, what is meant by supply chain management? In commerce, supply chain management (SCM), the management of the flow of goods and services, involves the movement and storage of raw materials, of work-in-process inventory, and of finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

Similarly, what is reverse supply chain?

Reverse supply chain refers to the movement of goods from customer to vendor. Reverse logistics is the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient and effective inbound flow and storage of secondary goods and related information for the purpose of recovering value or proper disposal.

What is gatekeeping in supply chain?

Gatekeeping (in supply chain terms) refers to screening of returned goods at the entry point in the reverse flow from the consumer and back to the manufacturer/supplier. Gatekeeping is a key element of reverse logistics and companies take returns management very seriously as it directly affects the company's image.

33 Related Question Answers Found

What is the return abuse?

Return fraud. Return abuse is a form of "friendly fraud" where someone purchases products without intending to keep them. Perhaps the most well-known form of this abuse is "wardrobing" or "free renting" – in which the person makes a purchase, uses the product(s), and then returns the merchandise.

What is a good return policy?

The best Policy you can have is the simplest one.

If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return the product and get a full refund or exchange the product for another one, be it similar or not. You can return a product for up to 30 days from the date you purchased it.

Can you return an item if you don t like it?

But actually, shops don't have to accept returned goods unless they are faulty, not as described, or not fit for purpose. However, if you do want to return an item simply because you don't like it, most shops will offer to exchange or refund it as a gesture of goodwill.

How do you politely say no refunds?

Here is an example of how you might say no to a customer who is asking for a refund that you cannot give them: Hi Sheila, I'm very sorry that you were unhappy with our product.

Saying No to a Refund

Check your company's refund policy.
Think about the possibility of saying yes.

How do I avoid restocking fee?

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid having to pay such a fee. If the item in question is defective, then show proof of this. Avoid shopping at retailers that charge a high restocking fee. However, the best way to avoid this fee is to always do sufficient research before buying an expensive item.

How do I return a product?

Returning an online item to the store will reduce wait times for your refund or exchange. Replace the item in its original packaging. Bring your item, original packaging, the credit card you used, if applicable and the receipt. Go to the Returns or Customer Service department at the store.

What is the refund policy?

The Return & Refund Policy is the policy that informs customers of the cost, timeframe, and requirements for returning merchandise for a refund or exchange. The policy also indicates whether the refund is provided as store credit or return of the purchase price.

Can I return a final sale item?

Many stores sell items subject to a “final sale.” What this means, however, is that the customer does not have the right to return it if he doesn't like it or changes his mind. A store may sell an item without a warranty, but simply saying “all sales final” does not do this.

What are the 5 R's of reverse logistics?

As they do, they're streamlining the five R's of reverse logistics – returns, recalls, repairs, repackaging and recycling. In all actuality, there are more than five R's to reverse logistics (think receiving, recovery, reconditioning, re-boxing, resale etc).

What is reverse inventory?

Reverse consignment, sometimes known as pre-positioning, is a supply chain management strategy designed to address various inventory, production and accounting conditions. It has benefits, advantages and risks not found with conventional supply inventories.

What is the reverse logistics process?

Reverse Logistics — The process of moving goods or materials from the consumer back to the point of origin in order to recapture value or dispose of it properly. Reverse logistics may include planning, implementation, and control of the process flow in order to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

What is core and reverse supply chain?

Reverse supply chain refers to the movement of goods from customer to vendor. This is the reverse of the traditional supply chain movement of goods from vendor to customer. Reverse logistics is the process of planning, implementing and controlling.

What is supply chain in agriculture?

Supply Chain Management in Indian Agriculture. Definition: “Supply chain means flow & movement of goods from the producers to the final consumers”. In a broader sense, supply chains also includes, new product development, marketing, operations, distribution, finance and customer service.

What is agile supply chain?

Combined, they define what an agile supply chain is: a system of product distribution that is concerned with doing things quickly, saving costs, being responsive to the market and consumer demands, maintaining flexibility, and keeping productivity at all-time highs. With agile supply chain, flexibility is key.

What is process view of supply chain?

Process view of a supply chain management

Its process includes managing, storage and movement of raw material from producer to distributor than the retailer and finally to the end consumers through a flow of information, physical distribution, and cash.

What companies use reverse logistics?

Successful Examples of Reverse Logistics

Apple. Apple is a fantastic example of a successful reverse logistics system.
UPS. UPS also successfully uses reverse logistics to minimize their environmental impact by allowing consumers to reuse boxes to ship items.
H&M.
Dasani.
Guest Blogger – Aaron Smith.

What are the objectives of reverse logistics?

By examining the definition one can understand that the objectives of reverse logistics are to maximize the value recovery and safe disposal of waste. Maximization of Value recovery: If product intended for a sale is returned by the customer, the product cost is not recovered.