How to Print Return Labels
A seamless returns process not only delights your customers but also transforms them into loyal patrons for life. The secret? Meeting and exceeding customer expectations.
Today’s shoppers demand simplicity and convenience, especially when it comes to returns. Fortunately, we have tools and options at your disposal to streamline this process without draining your resources. By crafting a returns strategy that aligns with consumer preferences, you elevate your brand to the top tier of retail excellence.
Did you know that 2/3rds of customers check a retailer’s return policy before placing an order?
Ways to Print Return Labels
There are a few different ways to print return labels. Some ways of printing them are simpler than others. Some are also more expensive. We’ll explore all the requirements for printing return labels and more, such as the different types of returns, steps for printing return labels for various carriers and how ShipStation can help simplify return shipping.
How to Include Return Labels with an Outgoing Order
Pay-on-use return labels are labels that are paid for by the sender when the label is used to return an item. These labels are often provided by the retailer or company as a convenience to the customer. Common ways to charge the customer for return shipping costs include deducting the cost of the label from the refund. Carriers that offer pay-on-use labels are AusPost and Sendle.
Retailer vs. Customer Return Label Preferences
There is no standard for how retailers provide return labels to customers, as preferences vary. In some cases, retailers will provide return labels for their customers to use. After creating the return label, simply email it to the customer for easy printing at home, and they can drop off the parcel at a carrier facility.
In other cases, customers may be required to generate their own return labels. This is usually the case when a customer is returning a partial order since the weight of the return shipment is lighter than the outbound. In these instances, retailers may reimburse the cost of the label or provide additional store credit when issuing a refund.
Offering Free Return Shipping
75% of consumers expect free return shipping when they shop online. While offering free returns—as well as free outbound shipping—can be expensive, it can be the make-or-break factor for many shoppers. To offer free return shipping without cutting too far into profits requires finding the most affordable way to ship. Offering free shipping also requires an effective returns policy.
When to Use Pay-Upon-Creation Return Labels
Pay-upon-creation return labels are labels whose label fees are charged upon creation. They are commonly utilised by carriers that charge for labels at the time of creation. So AusPost or services provided by ShipStation Carrier Services will offer pay-upon-creation labels. These are the more commonly used return labels.
Requirements for Printing Return Labels for Ecommerce Platforms
Regardless of where you sell, you can create all your returns with ShipStation. If you need to print a return label for your storefront or marketplace, these are the steps for printing return labels for some of the most popular ecommerce platforms.
| How to Print Amazon Return Labels: |
| These are customer-initiated and require buyers to log into their customer portal to start the returns process. |
| How to Print eBay Return Labels: |
| eBay offers retailers ways to accept and handle returns. Simply log into your portal to begin the returns process. |
| How to Print Wix Return Labels: |
| With Wix, you can authorise a refund through your Wix dashboard. You will need to produce your own return label through the shipping program you used. Here is how to create a return label in ShipStation. |
| How to Print Big Cartel Return Labels: |
| For Big Cartel, you can authorise a refund through your store portal and then create the return label through the shipping platform you used to create the label. Big Cartel also has this helpful guide for creating a shipping and return policy. A shipping app like ShipStation provides you with the full suite of outbound and return shipping services you need to start selling more quickly. |
| How to Print Shopify Return Labels: |
| Shopify offers its retailers efficient ways to authorise returns, and refunds, and help customers return items. |
| How to Print WooCommerce Return Labels: |
| WooCommerce offers ways to provide refunds, but return labels will need to be created through the shipping platform you use such as ShipStation. |
| How to Print BigCommerce Return Labels: |
| BigCommerce allows you to natively generate return labels through your store portal. They even offer ways for customers to request a return for your store. But they also allow you to generate returns through their shipping partners like ShipStation. |
How to Print Return Labels in ShipStation
How ShipStation Helps with Returns
As mentioned above, the outbound shipment and return shipment may need different services. In these instances, you may find that you need to use an entirely different carrier for the return shipment. This is where a multi-carrier shipping program like ShipStation helps. You can save more money and print more quickly—whether it’s returns, outbound shipments, or fulfilments.
ShipStation’s Return Portal
As ecommerce shopping simplifies for customers, they have the growing expectation that returns should also be simpler. ShipStation has found a way to make returns easy for you and your customers using the returns portal – where you can send to your customers once they’re ready to print a return label.
ShipStation Makes Tracking Returns Simpler
Whether you used Australia Post or Sendle to generate your return label, having a place to keep track of your return shipments progress eases you and your customers’ anxiety. You can easily view the returns and any outbound shipment within ShipStation. Whether you want to include a return label automatically or create it manually, you have the power to create a fulfilment workflow that fits your needs and budget!
Return Rabbit for Shopify Returns
Empowering Shopify businesses, ShipStation offers tailored fulfilment solutions. Our strategic alliance with Return Rabbit aims to overcome challenges in the return and post-purchase journey for Shopify retailers. Through this partnership, Shopify businesses unlock exclusive tools, leveraging Return Rabbit’s enterprise-grade analytics and advanced features for a 5x ROI boost. Discover an affordable avenue for revenue-driven returns with Return Rabbit, and explore the synergy between ShipStation and Return Rabbit today.
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