How to Return a Product You Ordered Online?

If you are someone who loves shopping online, be it your monthly groceries or the latest trends that you love, there is a high chance that at some point, you have had to return an order because you were unsatisfied with it. 

However, if you are new to the world of online shopping and eCommerce logistics, you might not have had an opportunity to understand how product returns work and how you can send back a product that you do not wish to accept. If you belong to the latter group of people, read on everything below that you need to know about order returns.

Various Scenarios Under Which You Can Return an Order

Having placed an order online, all individuals look forward to receiving the promised and advertised product. Unless in the cases of fraud or mischief, it is highly improbable that a customer will return an order if they are satisfied with the purchase and the product delivered. 

On that note, the following are some of the most common reasons why a customer might want to return an order. 

Wrong Product Delivered

In some rare cases, usually involving a mix-up in eCommerce shipping, a customer may receive a wrong product that he did not order. An excellent example of this would be ordering a wireless Bluetooth headset and receiving a speaker instead. In such cases, the customer will most likely want to return the order. 

Damaged Packaging or Product

Either due to negligence by the seller or during an eCommerce delivery process, the product’s packaging or the product itself, or both, may be damaged. No customer would want to accept a damaged product. That is also why most companies that sell delicate goods opt for the safest courier service out there.

Product Delivered Does not Match the Description.

Imagine a situation where you ordered a red-coloured set of pants based on the product description and images on the website but instead received brown ones. This is a classic example of a product not matching the description.

Product is of the Wrong Size

One of the most common problems for products where size is of the essence, such as clothing and footwear, is when a wrong-sized product gets delivered. If you order size 11 shoes and receive a size 8, you are not getting what you paid for and are entitled to initiate a return.

Product Does Not Meet Customer Expectations

Suppose the product is of poor quality and does not fulfil the customer’s expectations for placing the online order. In that case, the customer may be entitled to a return if the seller’s return policy allows it. 

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and several other reasons may exist for returns. All said and done, who decides whether or not your product is eligible for a return?

Always read the Seller’s Return Policy.

The seller’s return policy contains the terms and conditions that govern all returns that a customer may wish to initiate. A seller’s return policy usually covers two broad aspects; under what circumstances a product is eligible for return and the terms and conditions applicable to returns such as deadline, logistics and procedure, and costs. 

Most return policies from significant businesses cover all scenarios where customers are dissatisfied with some of them, even going as far as implementing a ‘no questions asked return policy. However, irrespective of which seller you are purchasing from, it is always advisable to read the return policy applicable to your product. Different products on Amazon, for example, have differing return policies based on the seller.

How to Initiate a Return

Based on the seller’s return policy, if your product is eligible to be returned, you will need to follow the steps on the seller’s website to initiate a return. This might involve writing a mail to the seller and attaching pictures of the product or simply answering a couple of questions on the website itself.

Most of the best courier services in India, like Delhivery, Bluedart, and so on, also offer return shipping services, so once your return has been approved, all you have to do is sit back and wait for the courier pick up service. If your seller has tied up with a courier partner aggregator such as Pickrr, you can easily track your product with the tracking details provided to you at the time of shipment.

Conclusion

When you place an order online, the last thing you would want is to go through the ordeal of returning a product and waiting for a replacement or refund. However, it is an inevitable part of online shopping given the size of the eCommerce market since mistakes do occur once in a while.

If you receive the wrong product, there is no reason to worry since, in today’s consumer-centric world, you will more often than not be able to return products that you are dissatisfied with. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if my product is eligible for a return?

To know the conditions under which you are eligible to return an order from a seller, you must visit the seller’s website and go through the return policy.

Do I need to pay extra to return an order?

While most businesses take responsibility for mishaps and provide return services free of cost, some sellers may charge a nominal fee for the service if the return is not due to a mistake they committed. 

How much time do I have to return an order?

Returning the order as soon as possible is advisable. Different sellers have different return windows on their products depending on their cost, use, and nature.