In our latest ShipTime platform update, we added a great new feature – Easy Returns Management. In this blog post we’ll discuss return shipping labels, how and why returns happen, why you should offer free returns, how you can benefit from them, and more.

 

As an eCommerce store owner, one of the major benefits of offering free return labels is that it can improve customer satisfaction and increase customer loyalty. 

 

For your customers, it makes them feel more confident making a purchase knowing that they can easily return an item if it doesn’t meet their expectations. This can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth marketing

 

Additionally, it can help to reduce cart abandonment rates, as customers are more likely to complete a purchase if they know they can easily return an item.

About Return Shipping Labels

A return shipping label is a prepaid shipping label that allows a customer to return an item to the seller or eCommerce store. 

 

It typically includes the seller’s return address, the customer’s address, and a tracking number, and can be affixed to the package being returned.

Returns are an inescapable part of eCommerce, and despite retailers investing significant time and resources to manage them, they often lead to financial losses.

With a return shipping label, the customer does not need to pay for the return shipping costs out of pocket, as the label is pre-paid by the seller or eCommerce store.

 

With ShipTime returns, your customer can request a return, you can generate a convenient return label for your customer in a few clicks in the ShipTime dashboard by simply clicking “Create Return” in the details of the shipment.

You can choose to have ShipTime automatically send them an email with the return details and label or you can download it and send it to them.

What are some reasons that a customer would need a return shipping label?

The customer may have received an item that is not as described on the seller’s website, such as a different size, colour, or model.

The customer may have received a damaged or defective item that was not in working order.

The customer may have received the wrong item altogether.

The customer may have received an item that did not fit properly and needs to exchange it for a different size.

The customer may have received a package that was damaged during shipping.

The customer may have changed their mind about the purchase and no longer want the item.

You can choose to have ShipTime automatically send them an email with the return details and label or you can download it and send it to them.

Why Should I Offer Free Shipping Returns to My Customers?

Offering free shipping returns to your customers can have several benefits for your eCommerce store:

Customers are more likely to shop with your eCommerce store if they know that they can easily return items for free. This can improve customer satisfaction and lead to repeat business.

By offering free shipping returns, you can reduce the friction that customers may feel about making a purchase. Knowing that they can easily return an item if it doesn’t meet their expectations can increase their confidence in making a purchase.

 In today’s competitive eCommerce landscape, offering free shipping returns can be a differentiating factor that sets your eCommerce store apart from others. It can also be a deciding factor for customers when comparing prices and features across multiple eCommerce stores.

 

By offering free shipping returns, you can reduce cart abandonment rates. Customers are more likely to complete a purchase if they know that they have the option to easily return an item.

Offering free shipping returns can help to build trust with your customers and establish your eCommerce store as a reliable and customer-friendly business. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth marketing.

The customer may have changed their mind about the purchase and no longer want the item.

Overall, offering free shipping returns can be a worthwhile investment for your eCommerce store, as it can lead to increased sales, improved customer satisfaction, and a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Shipping Returns By The Numbers:

According to a survey by Narvar, 96% of consumers say that a positive returns experience will encourage them to shop with a retailer again.

A report by UPS found that 79% of consumers say that free shipping on returns is important when choosing an online retailer.

The same UPS report found that 73% of online shoppers have returned an item they purchased online

A study by eMarketer found that in 2020, eCommerce returns in the United States were estimated to reach $102.43 billion.

According to a survey by Metapack, 50% of consumers say that they have abandoned a purchase due to unsatisfactory returns options.

How Can I Generate Revenue for my eCommerce Store by Offering Free Return Labels?

While offering free return labels may seem like an added cost for your eCommerce store, there are ways to generate revenue and offset those costs. Here are a few strategies you can consider:

Upsell during the returns process: When customers initiate a return, you can use the opportunity to upsell them on a different product or offer them a discount code for a future purchase. This can help to increase sales and offset the cost of the return label.

Resell returned items: Depending on the nature of the returned item, you may be able to resell it as a refurbished or open-box item at a discounted price. This can help to recoup some of the costs of the return label.

Encourage exchanges instead of refunds: If a customer wants to return an item but would be willing to exchange it for a different product or size, you may be able to avoid issuing a refund and instead encourage an exchange. This can help to retain the sale and generate revenue.

Offer premium return options: While offering free return labels can be a customer-friendly policy, you can also offer premium return options for a fee, such as expedited shipping or restocking fees. This can help to generate revenue from customers who are willing to pay for additional convenience.

Reduce returns through better product descriptions and imagery: By providing accurate and detailed product descriptions and imagery, you can reduce the likelihood of returns due to customers receiving items that were not as described. This can help to minimize the cost of offering free return labels.

Overall, by implementing these strategies and optimizing your return policy, you can offset the cost of free return labels and potentially generate revenue for your eCommerce store.

ShipTime and Free Return Shipping Labels

ShipTime Returns Management allows you to quickly create a return label for any domestic shipment while still saving up to 70% vs retail. 

 

The ShipTime platform will remember all of the details from the original shipment from the accessorial options selected, package size, weight and more so you spend less time with data entry and more time running your business. 

 

ShipTime even remembers which courier and service you used for the original shipment, and suggests the same for the return, or still allows you to compare rates and services of all other couriers.

 

By default, the box size is set to the same as the original shipment, but just in case the return isn’t being sent back in the original box(s), you can still customize your box size.

 

The return label, along with tracking, is automatically sent to your customer upon placing the return, saving you one more step along the way



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