So, you must have heard that Dropshipping is the best business model that requires no inventory for online store startup.
Yes, it truly is, but with a little challenge. At some point, customers feel the need to return products that they purchased. With some reasons being that the purchased product (s) arrived in the wrong size, different or didn’t meet their expectations.
As a dropshipper or online store owner, what do you do in such case? How do you ensure they return such products with ease?
Today, in this resource, Dropazz would be enlightening you on why you must have a Return Policy and the things you must consider while creating one.
Well, before we get started, we must be sure that you really do know what a RETURN POLICY is. If you do know, you can quickly skip, but if you don’t, it’s best you take your time to read along for a better understanding.
Briefly, a dropshipping return policy is actually a deed between an online store and its customers. It’s a dropshipping store’s static page that contains rules that determine how and when product returns can take place on the store.
Now that you know what a Return Policy means, we can now move to the next phase. Why?
Why You Need A Return Policy For Your Dropshipping Store
When a customer purchases a product on your dropshipping store, but later decided that he/she needs it no more. Your existing return policy would give you and your customers a vivid set of rules or procedure to observe so as to return such product(s).
In addition, a precise return policy will prevent any future discussions between you and your customers as everything regarding returns will be clearly explained in the return policy.
Never ignore the need to set up a return policy for your dropshipping store, as 85% buyers or shoppers do check a store’s return policy even before placing order. Therefore, there’s need to draft a return policy when dropshipping in order to increase your conversion rate, prevent unnecessary discussions, and have a vivid set of rules to observe in case a customer desires to return a product.
5 Things To Consider While Drafting A Return Policy For Your Dropshipping Store
- Be specific about products that can be returned or exchanged:
Most importantly, you must be particulate about what kinds of product on your store that is returnable/exchangeable. You should be very clear about this to avoid future complications.
- Specify when products can be returned or exchanged:
It is important to conclude on how long your customers can return products after shipping/delivery.
Normally, product return durations ranges between 14 to 90 days (14 — 90 days) after shipping/delivery.
Quickly note that a shorter period is can be less customer-friendly, however you wouldn’t have to worry about refund requests from older purchases.
- Clearly outline the required conditions involved for a product return:
It is quite understandable if a customer can’t return a product when it’s in a damaged state or fully worn out.
However, a standard return policy page should be able to demarcate refundable from non-refundable products.
The following are questions that you could consider when it comes to the state of the product:
- Does the product need to be returned with the original packaging?
- Can the product package be unsealed, or does it still have to be fully sealed?
- Would you accept returned products that are somewhat worn?
- Can the product be used before the return?
- What if there are parts or stickers missing?
There’s need to provide answers to the questions above, and incorporate them in your return policy page.
- Clarity on how such a customer would be refunded:
This is as important as the return policy page itself. Some online stores do conduct a customer refund via the payment method and the currency such a customer used in paying for the product in question. While other stores might only give customers a store credit in return, which implies that the customer gets a coupon that allows he or she to purchase other products for free or for a discounted price.
- Be clear on who will be billed for the shipping of the returned product(s):
At this point, you’ve got only two choices to make. Either you offer to pay the return shipping costs for your customers, or you bill them.