Create a Return & Refund Policy for Your Store

Having a return and refund policy for your online store helps set customer expectations and reduce the number of customer service inquiries related to returns and refunds.

A clear return policy can also prevent disputes and negative reviews as customers will know what to expect.

In some countries, a return policy is legally required for eCommerce stores, so it’s important to check the laws that apply to your store.

A return and refund policy is a set of guidelines established by an eCommerce store to define the return process. 

Return policies outline things such as:

• The conditions under which your store accepts returns.
• The time frame customers have to initiate a return.
• The process for returning a product.
• Any potential restocking fees or other charges.

Having a clear, fair, and easy-to-understand return and refund policy clearly displayed on your website will help customers feel confident about their purchases.

It is generally a good idea to have a return and refund policy in place, even if you do not offer refunds.

Even if you don’t offer refunds, you may be legally required to accept returns in some situations, depending on your country’s return laws.

Additionally, having a return and refund policy can help manage customer expectations and reduce the number of customer service inquiries related to returns.

Your return and refund policy should be written in a way that is easy for customers to understand, with clear and concise language and step-by-step instructions on how to initiate a return or refund.

Include the following information in your return and refund policy:

• What items are eligible for return, refund, and exchange.
• The time frame customers have to initiate a return.
• The process for returning an item, including instructions on how to initiate a return and where to send the item.
• Any restocking fees or other charges that may apply.
• The conditions under which a refund or exchange will be offered.
• Who is responsible for paying for return shipping.
• Information about warranties or guarantees that apply to the products you sell.

Use ReturnGO’s free return and refund policy generator to create the perfect return policy for your online store.

Provide your customers with an easy way to access your return policy, such as links in your website’s footer, checkout page, and order confirmation email.

In order to make your rules and requirements as clear as possible, you should define your cancellation policy. This way your customers know what to expect if they want to cancel an order before it is shipped.

Your cancellation policy should outline the conditions under which customers can cancel orders, the process for canceling an order, and any fees that may apply. 

Specify the time frame in which customers can cancel their orders and how they can do so. 

Having a clear and easy-to-understand order cancellation policy can help manage customer expectations and reduce the number of customer service inquiries related to order cancellations.

Your return and refund policy should be easily accessible and prominently displayed on your website. 

Some places to display your return policy include:

• In your website footer or header, so that it is accessible from every page of the site.
• On the checkout page, before the customer confirms their purchase.
• In order confirmation emails.
• On a separate “Returns and Refunds” or “Return Policy” page on your website.
• On product pages.

It’s important to make sure that your return and refund policy is easy for customers to find and understand.

Refund and return policy laws vary by country and state, depending on the location of your store and customers. Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations that apply to your business and make sure your return policy complies with them.

A return policy law may define things like:

• Customers’ right to a refund within a specific timeframe
• The requirement to issue a full refund in certain circumstances.
• The obligation to clearly disclose the terms of your return policy to customers. 

Failure to comply with these laws can result in legal consequences for your store, such as fines, chargebacks, or legal disputes from unhappy customers.

Having a return policy can help prevent return fraud, as having clearly defined conditions makes it harder for people to commit return fraud than if conditions are vague or unclear.

There is a growing problem of return fraud among eCommerce stores all over the world. Return fraud can take many forms, from unintentional fraud to organized crime.

Common types of return fraud include:

• Wardrobing – the practice of purchasing an item with the intention of using it once or twice and then returning it for a refund.
• Bracketing – the act of buying multiple items with the intent to return the ones they don’t like or don’t suit them.
• Empty Box Fraud – claiming to have received an empty box or never receiving the package, then requesting a refund while secretly keeping it.
• Price Arbitrage – when customers buy two similar items at different prices and return the cheaper item as though it were the more expensive item.

Having a clear return policy will discourage customers from fraudulently returning items since they’ll know what conditions they need to meet in order to get a refund.

The length of your online store’s return window will depend on your business and your customers’ needs. It’s important to find the right balance between providing a fair return policy for your customers and protecting your business.

A longer return window (e.g. 30-60 days) can be beneficial because it gives customers more time to decide if they want to keep the item or return it. This can help increase customer satisfaction and trust. 

A shorter return window (e.g. 14-30 days) can be beneficial because it enables you to quickly restock returned items and reduces the risk of lost or damaged products. 

Ultimately, your return window should reflect your specific business needs and what you believe is fair for your customers.

The easiest way to generate a return and refund policy for your eCommerce store is with ReturnGO’s free refund policy generator. 

Fill in your store’s return requirements and information, and instantly get a return policy that includes everything needed for a standard return and refund policy.