{"id":31121,"date":"2023-04-04T09:00:04","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T09:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/how-to-set-up-your-return-policy-and-reduce-returns\/"},"modified":"2023-04-04T22:44:50","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T22:44:50","slug":"how-to-set-up-return-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reduce Returns and Set Up Your Return Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online returns are inevitable. It doesn\u2019t matter what your business is, product returns cannot be avoided. For parts sellers (especially dealerships), having the right return\/refund process is vital to improving customer satisfaction, reducing obsolescence, and maintaining steady operational processes day-to-day. When dealing with auto parts, how should you handle online returns?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some expert tips to help you determine the best return policy for your parts eCommerce strategy and how to reduce overall returns. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reduce-return-label.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;reduce-return-label&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Providing Product Info<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing enough accurate information about the auto parts you sell is a great way to reduce returns. Customers need to know upfront what they\u2019re buying and be able to check that the parts you have listed match their needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Does your catalog provide all the important details?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This includes the car model, year, part number, and one or more detailed diagrams or photos of the part. A major reason customers return parts is that they ordered an incompatible auto part for their vehicle. Including detailed product info is a good way to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/prevent-shoppers-from-ordering-the-wrong-part\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prevent customers from ordering the wrong part<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The more details, the better.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Is there anything else they need to know?<\/b> Specific details, like if the part fits the left or right side, are something customers need to know. Also, let them know if the part comes alone or in a pair when appropriate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>By the way, RevolutionParts has detailed diagrams for most parts and also enables dealers to easily bulk upload their own photos of the parts.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/shipping-to-reduce-returns.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;shipping-to-reduce-returns&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Quality Shipping<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customers shopping online expect businesses to have a strong shipping strategy in place. A quick delivery timeframe and consistent order status updates are vital to maintaining customer satisfaction, but what else do your shipping processes need to have?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Get your packaging right. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider the visual impact of your product when the customer receives it\u2014is the product well-packaged and undamaged? How about the box? A customer is more likely to return a purchase they see as old, damaged, or unclean. Make sure everything is packaged appropriately (especially fragile parts) so it doesn\u2019t get damaged in transit. For high-value parts, it may even be worth your time to get shipping insurance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>How long does shipping take?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Having fast, hassle-free shipping will go a long way to deter customers from wanting to return their purchases. If they need the part right away, but the part takes too long to arrive, they might end up shopping at a brick-and-mortar location instead. Today, Amazon has set the standard with 2-day shipping, so give your customers fast shipping options.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Do a final check of each order.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Check an order&#8217;s details before shipping to avoid mistakes\u2014especially for very large or expensive parts. If you package the wrong part, then, of course, the customer is going to return it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re dealing with a high volume of sales and struggling to stay organized, then it\u2019s time you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/5-ways-a-shipping-manager-can-make-your-life-easier\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">invest in shipping management software<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. By keeping all your information in one place, a shipping manager can speed up the shipment process for you by automating the details.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/return-policy-label-1.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;return-policy-label (1)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Creating the Return Policy<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handling your returns poorly could deter a customer from shopping with you again, while the opposite could gain you a loyal customer and help you sell more auto parts online in the future. Here\u2019s how you can set the best return policy for your parts business:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Set clear criteria in an easy-to-access location.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use bullet points to make the policy easier to read and understand. Don\u2019t use legal jargon, and don\u2019t try to intimidate your customer with extra strict policies. Chances are, all you\u2019re doing is turning away future sales. Remember that kindness and understanding will convert shoppers into future loyal customers. Be sure to provide your return policy in a designated area on your website and make it easy for your customers to find. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Weigh the future retention against current costs.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Is it worth it to go through with the return, or even pay free shipping, if it helps you retain customers who may come back to purchase again?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<h3><strong>What should you include in your return policy to make it clear?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Condition for return.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Will you accept used or installed parts? Is it okay if the package was opened, but the part was never used? Determining what parts and accessories you are willing to accept for returns will make it easier for you to work with customers when they initiate the return process. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Timeline for return.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many retail stores offer a 14-day return policy. But because of shipping and processing, this is not a realistic timeline for auto parts eCommerce, especially when it comes to handling oversized parts. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Who is paying shipping?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hidden fees are the worst and will likely discourage your customers from purchasing with you again. Tell them upfront in your policy who is responsible for paying return shipping. Sometimes it\u2019s a good idea to pay for shipping under a certain threshold since it\u2019ll improve the customer\u2019s experience.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Will you offer free shipping?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Free shipping is a great way to assure your customers that they can purchase from you with confidence, but you also need to keep your margin in mind. Do the possible future sales from this customer outweigh the cost of free shipping? Also, keep in mind that 82% of customers are more likely to complete a sale if free return shipping is offered.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||43px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>How will the refund be processed?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Will you refund your customer the full price or allow them to exchange for a different part? This should be very clearly stated in your policy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/returning-package.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;returning-package&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;34px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a return policy is more important now than ever\u2014 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.invespcro.com\/blog\/ecommerce-product-return-rate-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Invesp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows that 67% of eCommerce shoppers view a retailer\u2019s return policy before making purchases, further indicating the importance of returns in driving purchasing decisions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the right shipping processes in place, you can reduce the number of parts returns, decrease parts obsolescence, improve customer satisfaction, and lower the impact of sales loss. Hassle-free returns can be a chance for your parts department to gain loyal customers that keep coming back to buy from you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn how you can maximize your profits online? Download our free guide \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/ebook\/reduce-chargebacks\/?utm_medium=revparts&amp;utm_source=mkt:%20blog&amp;utm_campaign=blog&amp;utm_content=how-to-set-up-your-return-policy\"><b>How to Reduce Chargebacks<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d to get expert tips on how you can identify fraudulent orders and reduce the chances of losing potential parts sales. Once you can master these, your parts department will be running like a well-oiled machine.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reduce-chargebacks-banner.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;reduce-chargebacks-banner&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/ebook\/reduce-chargebacks\/?utm_medium=revparts&#038;utm_source=mkt:%20blog&#038;utm_campaign=blog&#038;utm_content=how-to-set-up-your-return-policy&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Online returns are inevitable. It doesn\u2019t matter what your business is, product returns cannot be avoided. For parts sellers (especially dealerships), having the right return\/refund process is vital to improving customer satisfaction, reducing obsolescence, and maintaining steady operational processes day-to-day. When dealing with auto parts, how should you handle online returns?\u00a0 Here are some expert [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61659,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<img class=\"size-full wp-image-31426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/prevent-returns-copy-e1433969733403.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"306\" \/>\r\n\r\nThere will always be a couple of dissatisfied customers, whether it is because they ordered the wrong part, found a cheaper alternative, or because the wrong part was shipped to them. What is the best way to handle returns and turn them into sales? Better yet, how can you prevent returns and sell more auto parts online?\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<h1>Providing Product Info<\/h1>\r\nProviding some information about the auto parts you sell is a great way to reduce returns. Customers need to know upfront what they're buying, and this is the spot to explain the details.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Does your catalog provide all important details?<\/strong> This includes car model, year, part number, and one or more detailed diagrams or photos of the part. A major reason customers return parts is because they ordered an incompatible auto part for their vehicle. Including detailed product info is a good way to <a href=\"\/prevent-shoppers-from-ordering-the-wrong-part\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">prevent customers from ordering the wrong part<\/a>. The more details, the better.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Is there anything else they need to know?<\/strong> Specific details, like if the part fits the left or right side, is something customers need to know.\u00a0When appropriate, also let them know if the part comes alone or in a pair.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nBy the way, RevolutionParts has detailed diagrams for most parts and also enables dealers to easily bulk upload their own photos of the parts.\r\n<h1>Quality Shipping<\/h1>\r\nStrange as it sounds, the steps you take in the shipping process can affect your returns.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Is the auto part safe?\u00a0<\/strong>Consider the visual impact of your product when the customer receives it\u2014is the product well-packaged and undamaged? How about the box? A customer is more likely to return a purchase they see as old, damaged, or unclean. Make sure everything is packaged appropriately (especially fragile parts), so it doesn't get destroyed in shipment. For high-value parts, it may even be worth your time to get shipping insurance.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>How long does shipping take?<\/strong>\u00a0Having fast, hassle-free shipping will go a long way to deter customers from wanting to return their purchase. If they need the part right away but the part from you takes too long to arrive, they might end up shopping at a brick and mortar location instead.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pressroom.ups.com\/pressroom\/staticfiles\/pdf\/fact_sheets\/Whats_Driving_the_Automotive_Parts_Online_Shopper_2.pdf\">A study by UPS<\/a> found that automotive eCommerce buyers are willing to wait an average of 8 days to receive their purchases, and an additional 4 days for free shipping.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Do a final check of each order.<\/strong> Check the details of an order before shipping in order to avoid mistakes\u2014especially for very large or expensive parts. If you package the wrong part, then of course the customer is going to return it.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf you're dealing with a high volume of sales and struggling to stay organized, then it's time you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/5-ways-a-shipping-manager-can-make-your-life-easier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">invest in shipping management software<\/a>. By keeping all your information in one place, a shipping manager can speed up the shipment process for you by automating the details.\r\n<h1>Creating the Return Policy<\/h1>\r\nHandling your returns poorly could deter a\u00a0customer from shopping with you again, while the opposite could gain you a loyal customer and help you sell more auto parts online in the future. Here's how you can make the best of your return policy:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Have a clear return policy in an easy-to-access location.<\/strong> Use bullet points to make the policy easier to read and understand. Don\u2019t use legal jargon, and don\u2019t try to intimidate your customer with extra strict policies. Chances are, all you're doing is turning away future sales. Remember that kindness and understanding will convert\u00a0shoppers\u00a0into future loyal customers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Weigh the future retention against current costs.<\/strong> Is it worth it to go through with the return, or even pay free shipping, if it helps you retain customers who may come back to purchase again?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>What should you include in your return policy to make it clear?<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Condition for return.<\/strong> Will you accept used or installed parts? Is it okay if the package was opened, but the part was never used?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Timeline for return.<\/strong> Many retail stores offer a 14 day return policy. But because of shipping and processing, this is not a realistic timeline for auto parts eCommerce, especially when it comes to handling oversized parts. Did you know that\u00a0that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.entrepreneur.com\/article\/225495\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this article by Entrepreneur<\/a>\u00a0found a decrease in returns with an increase in time for return?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Who is paying shipping?<\/strong> Hidden fees are the worst, and would likely discourage your customers from purchasing with you again. Tell them upfront in your policy who is\u00a0responsible for paying\u00a0return shipping. Sometimes it's a good idea to pay for shipping for\u00a0shipping under a certain threshold, since it'll improve the customer's experience.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Will you offer free shipping?<\/strong> Free shipping is a great way to assure your customers that they can purchase from you with confidence, but you also need to keep your margin in mind. Do the possible future sales from this customer outweigh the cost of free shipping? Also keep in mind that 82% of customers are more likely to complete a sale if free return shipping is offered.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>How will the refund be processed?<\/strong> Will you refund your customer the full price, or allow them to exchange for a different part? This should be very clearly stated in your policy.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nHaving a return policy is more important now than ever\u2014the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pressroom.ups.com\/pressroom\/staticfiles\/pdf\/fact_sheets\/Whats_Driving_the_Automotive_Parts_Online_Shopper_2.pdf\">UPS study <\/a>shows that 70% of automotive eCommerce shoppers view a retailer\u2019s return policy before making purchases, further indicating the importance of returns in driving purchasing decisions. It also indicates that automotive shoppers are far less likely to return products than the general online consumer\u201427% compared to the 62% of general online consumers.\r\n\r\nWhen you handle the process correctly, you can reduce the number of returns and not take as much of a loss. In fact, hassle-free returns can be a chance to gain loyal customers that keep coming back to shop with YOU!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/ebook\/top_10_mistakes_parts_managers_make?utm_source=revparts&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=RPblog&utm_content=download-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img class=\"wp-image-31958 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Mistakes-ebook-CTA-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,62,63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-getting-started","category-grow-online-part-sales"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Reduce Returns and Set Up Your Return Policy - RevolutionParts - Sell Parts and Accessories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Reduce Returns and Set Up Your Return Policy - RevolutionParts - Sell Parts and Accessories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Online returns are inevitable. It doesn\u2019t matter what your business is, product returns cannot be avoided. For parts sellers (especially dealerships), having the right return\/refund process is vital to improving customer satisfaction, reducing obsolescence, and maintaining steady operational processes day-to-day. When dealing with auto parts, how should you handle online returns?\u00a0 Here are some expert [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RevolutionParts - Sell Parts and Accessories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RevolutionParts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-04-04T09:00:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-04-04T22:44:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reduce-returns-return-policy-blog.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"424\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"danderson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@revolutionparts\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@revolutionparts\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"danderson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"danderson\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/#\/schema\/person\/10822f04f517b718c8901a3f23be15d8\"},\"headline\":\"How to Reduce Returns and Set Up Your Return Policy\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-04-04T09:00:04+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-04-04T22:44:50+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/\"},\"wordCount\":1915,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reduce-returns-return-policy-blog.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\",\"Getting Started\",\"Grow Online Part Sales\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.revolutionparts.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-return-policy\/\",\"name\":\"How to Reduce Returns and Set Up Your Return Policy - 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