Returns Management

Returns management with inspection, grading, and restock routing.

Per-unit inspection, condition grading, photographic documentation, restock or quarantine routing, return-reason data flowing back to your dashboard. $2.00/unit inspection + $1.00/item processed.

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What's included

How returns processing actually works.

Most brands underestimate the operational complexity of returns. A returned unit isn't "just put it back on the shelf." Here's the full workflow.

Return label generated via your platform

Loop, Returnly, Happy Returns, or native Shopify returns — your platform generates the return label. Customer ships back to our LA address.

Receiving & RMA matching

Returned package received at our dock. RMA number scanned, matched to the original outbound order. Items unpacked and staged for inspection.

Inspection & condition grading

Every returned unit inspected against your return policy. Condition graded: A-grade (resaleable), B-grade (open-box discount), C-grade (damaged/unsellable). Inspection photographed.

Restock or quarantine routing

A-grade units go back into available-to-sell inventory. B-grade units routed to liquidation queue or open-box program. C-grade units quarantined with photo documentation for warranty claim or write-off.

Return reason data capture

Customer-stated return reason captured. Inspector observations recorded. Patterns flagged (e.g., "sizing issue" trending up by SKU). Data flows back to your dashboard for product team review.

Refund or exchange triggered

Once inspection completes, your platform receives the disposition. Refunds, exchanges, or store credit triggered per your policy. Customer notified.

Why Matrix

Why returns processing is harder than it looks.

Returns are the difference between a healthy DTC operation and one that's silently bleeding inventory. Done well, returns recover 70-85% of returned units back to sellable inventory. Done poorly, returns become a write-off pipeline.

Per-unit inspection, not batch

Every unit inspected individually. Condition graded against your specific return policy. Photo documentation for every unit graded B or worse.

Hygiene awareness for apparel/beauty

Swimwear, intimates, opened beauty — different handling than standard apparel. We follow category-specific protocols.

Restock within 5 business days

A-grade units are back in available-to-sell inventory within 5 business days of return receipt. Faster than most 3PLs.

Return reason data for product teams

Customer return reasons + inspector observations create the dataset your product team needs to fix the actual problem (sizing inconsistency, packaging fragility, color mismatch, etc.).

Loop/Returnly/Happy Returns integration

Native integration with the major returns platforms. RMA flow, refund triggering, exchange workflow all automated.

Liquidation channel routing

B-grade units that won't restock at full price routed to liquidation channels (open-box programs, employee sale, B-stock platforms) for partial value recovery.

Who it's for

Returns scenarios we handle.

Apparel brands with high return rates

Fashion returns at 25-40%. Sizing, color, fit. Each return needs inspection and grading. Photo documentation reduces fraudulent return disputes.

Beauty brands with hygiene constraints

Opened beauty isn't restockable. Inspection for tampering, opened seal detection, hygiene-aware disposition.

Electronics with high-value returns

High-value units need thorough inspection. Anti-static handling, accessory verification, packaging condition assessment.

Subscription brands handling skip-month returns

Less common — most subscription is non-returnable. When it does happen, cohort-aware processing.

Holiday season return surge

January return volume spikes 200-300% from December. Capacity pre-allocated. Same per-unit pricing, no surge fees.

Brands with Loop/Returnly automation

Returns automation platforms streamline the customer-facing flow. We handle the warehouse-side workflow that automation platforms don't touch.

Pricing

Transparent, itemized, no minimums.

Returns priced per inspection: $2.00/unit (covers inspection, QC, and verification against original order). Plus $1.00 per item processed (covers physical handling, restock or quarantine routing, and inventory update). No additional fees for grade-routing or photo documentation.

See full pricing

Every line item itemized. ACH/wire billing.

Integrations

Native integrations to every major platform.

Powered by ShipHero WMS. Orders flow into your picking queue in real time. Inventory pushes back across all connected channels simultaneously. No batch syncs, no daily delays, no manual reconciliation.

Ecommerce platforms

Shopify Native sync · Shopify Plus WooCommerce WordPress plugin · Real-time BigCommerce Native sync · Enterprise Magento / Adobe Commerce REST API · Custom checkout Wix Wix Stores · Real-time Squarespace Squarespace Commerce
Shopify Plus Enterprise-grade · Webhooks
Custom platforms REST API · Webhooks

Marketplaces

Amazon FBM Seller Central · Prime SLA Amazon FBA Prep FNSKU · Polybag · Inbound Walmart Marketplace WFS-compatible · DSV TikTok Shop 48-hr SLA · Live commerce eBay Native · eBay Plus eligible Etsy Real-time · Personalization Faire (Wholesale) B2B routing · Net terms
Other marketplaces Mercari · Poshmark · Reverb

Retail drop-ship & EDI

Nordstrom DSV · Routing guides
Saks & Bloomingdale's Drop-ship vendor
Target Vendor + DSV · GS1-128
Whole Foods Regional DC routing
Revolve Drop-ship · Fashion
Sephora & Ulta Beauty drop-ship
SPS Commerce EDI All majors via SPS
Custom EDI 810 · 850 · 856 · 940

Subscription, crowdfunding & logistics tools

Recharge Shopify subscriptions
Cratejoy Subscription box
Subbly Subscription billing
Stay Ai · Skio · Bold Subscription apps
BackerKit Kickstarter fulfillment
Crowd Ox · Pledge Manager Crowdfunding tools
ShipStation Universal shipping hub
Loop & Returnly Returns automation

Don't see your platform?

If your platform has an API, we can almost certainly integrate. ShipHero WMS supports REST API, webhooks, FTP, and custom EDI mappings. Custom integrations are quoted separately.

Ask about your platform
FAQ
How does returns pricing work?
$2.00 per unit for inspection, condition grading, and verification against the original order. Plus $1.00 per item processed for physical handling, restock or quarantine routing, and inventory update.
What's your restock turnaround?
A-grade units are back in available-to-sell inventory within 5 business days of return receipt. B and C grade units take longer depending on disposition routing.
Do you integrate with Loop, Returnly, or Happy Returns?
Yes. Native integration with all three major returns platforms. Your customer flow stays in those tools; we handle the warehouse-side workflow.
What about hygiene categories like swimwear or beauty?
Category-specific protocols. Swimwear and intimates inspected for hygiene seal integrity. Opened beauty inspected for tampering. Hygiene-failed returns are not restocked.
Can you handle exchanges?
Yes. Exchange workflow swaps the returned unit's value for a new outbound order. New outbound order ships under standard pick-pack pricing.
What happens to B-grade and C-grade units?
B-grade routed to liquidation channels you've designated (open-box programs, employee sale, B-stock platforms). C-grade quarantined with photo documentation for warranty claim or write-off decisions.
Get a quote

Tell us what you ship.

We'll send back an itemized estimate within 24 hours. No sales scripts, no pressure, no contracts. Real numbers from a real operator.

  • Itemized quote in 24 hours
  • No order minimums, no setup fees
  • Onboard in 7 days, ship in 14
  • No long-term contract — month to month

Prefer to talk? (305) 240-3315

We respond within one business day. No sales calls without your permission.