How to streamline your returns process with Return Magic or ReturnLogic

1) Overview

Most online sellers would want their stores to gain more profits and handle-less returns. But as harsh as it may sound, eCommerce returns are an inevitable part of every e-tailing business. Despite the number of modifications sellers make to their organizational workflows, they can't completely avoid returns.

That's the reason numerous merchants and e-tailers turn to return management software to create a seamless eCommerce returns workflow. Sellers integrate their websites with a variety of reverse logistics platforms to reduce the number of returns and make their loyal customers keep coming back to their stores.

Needless to say, when they are so critical to the success of eCommerce businesses, return management software are bound to be available in abundance. And that gives rise to a pertinent issue - how to choose the right one for your business. 

Well, fortunately for you, in this post we are discussing two of the most efficient return management solutions out there - Return Magic and ReturnLogic. Join in for in-depth coverage of both.

2) What are Return Magic and ReturnLogic solutions?

Founded by Guillaume Racine and Raff Paquin in 2016, Return Magic is a feature-packed returns management software that integrates with over 50 carriers providing a broad range of pickup locations for scheduling return shipments. The software allows merchants and e-tailers to create their own personalized returns portal, quickly and easily. Its exceptional APIs enable them to automate their reverse logistics platforms to make the entire process hassle-free.

ReturnLogic, on the other hand, is a returns management solutions company based in Pennsylvania, that works by analyzing eCommerce businesses' existing returns management systems and rectifying the loopholes. It also helps prepare personalized return plans to meet different business needs. 

3) Return Magic and ReturnLogic: How do they work?

Both Return Magic or ReturnLogic work on the collective goal of providing seamless returns. 

Return Magic focuses on converting returns to exchanges to keep customers on board and save merchants from losing out on their revenue. In contrast, ReturnLogic aims at rectifying the loopholes on the online sellers' websites, thereby reducing the rate of eCommerce returns and motivating customers to keep coming back. 

Now while all that seems in place, there's a catch on how these return management systems work. 

Return Magic currently only integrates with third-party platforms like Shippo, EasyPost, and ShipStation. This means you can't directly link it to your Shopify store. You'll have to use one of these third-party apps to generate labels on Return Magic.

Unfortunately, the same goes for ReturnLogic. You can't directly link your website or store with the platform. You'll have to use ReturnLogic-friendly apps or integrations to create return labels with it.

4) Benefits of using return management software

While running an eCommerce business, online sellers need to manage customer issues, handle returns, make arrangements for replacements and refunds, and juggle a lot more tasks on a daily basis.

Dealing with such a variety of operations, sellers require a helping hand to assist them throughout their journey. This is especially true for large-scale businesses.

A return management solution can become that helping hand by making sure that sellers meet the needs of their reverse logistics workflow with ease. It even helps them with factors such as improved sustainability, happier customers, cost savings, and more. 

Here are some more benefits provided by leading return management solutions:

a) Enhanced profit margins

Just like regular orders need a logistics channel to reach customers, returns need a reverse logistics channel to reach their original destination - back to the sellers. That being said, the cost of reverse logistics is much higher compared to regular shipments as it requires a quicker response. 

Moreover, since all eCommerce returns are not exchanges, merchants and e-tailers often have to bear the cost of warehousing to hold the products that have been returned. By choosing an efficient return management solution, sellers can cut down on the cost, thereby increasing their overall profit margin.

b) Gaining insights from better data tracking

As mentioned previously, merchants and e-tailers can't completely avoid eCommerce returns, but they can surely reduce them by utilizing the data gained from online activities. When sellers provide transparency and better reverse logistics channels to customers, they can track returns in real-time. 

On the other hand, customer support teams can analyze the data gained from customers' returning patterns and make necessary changes to their platform or services, to minimize future returns.

c) Increased customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction depends on the way your brand treats customers. For instance, if you have a record of delivering damaged products, naturally, customers will think twice before buying products from your platform. 

Similarly, if you offer options like seamless reverse logistics and refunds, customers will be satisfied with your brand and keep coming back to your website.  

d) Reduce Waste

Managing eCommerce returns doesn’t stop at customer satisfaction. Instead, it goes beyond how you handle the returns from an overall perspective. 

When a buyer returns a product, of course, discarding it right away is not an option. If you can refurbish and resell it, the same product can work wonders for your brand's reputation and fulfill some part of your environmental responsibility too.

e) Faster turnaround

With an optimized return management solution, you can respond to return requests faster and provide a quick replacement for products. This will increase customer satisfaction and also speed up your process of refurbishing products. It will even save you from spending on new options to replace returned goods.

5) How to set up Return Magic or ReturnLogic?

As mentioned earlier, to set up a Return Magic or ReturnLogic account and generate return labels, sellers need to integrate their platforms with third-party apps like Shippo, EasyPost, or ShipStation, which are Return Magic-friendly apps. 

Canadian merchants and e-tailers get an additional benefit. They can use Canada Post to cater to the needs of their fellow customers within the domestic boundary as the return management software is already integrated with it. 

But in order to do any of the above, they will have to set up Return Magic or ReturnLogic by referring to the steps below.

5.1) Setting up Return Magic with EasyPost 

A) Set up an EasyPost account

If you already have an EasyPost account, you can directly go to the next section. If not, follow the below-listed steps:

Step 1 - Create account

• Visit this URL (https://www.easypost.com/signup).
• Enter your first and last name, along with your email address and phone number, in the respective sections.
• Create a strong password and confirm it. 
• Now click on Sign up. 

Once done, you don't have to worry about the coding parts. Those will be taken care of by the Return Magic software. 

Step 2 - Add your carrier details

• After creating an account, you will be taken to the EasyPost dashboard.
• In your dashboard, under your email address, click on Carrier Accounts to sync your preferred carriers with your new EasyPost account.
• A new page will appear with a carriers list on your right-hand side. You can choose the carriers you prefer from this list and sync them with your account. 

Step 3 - Update your billing information

• Go back to your EasyPost dashboard, and in your email drop-down menu, click on Billing.
• Now fill in your credit card details and click Save.

B) Link EasyPost to Return Magic

Step 1- Open Return Magic

• Open the Return Magic software and navigate to the Integrations Settings section. 
• Click on Activate on the EasyPost card and follow the instructions carefully.

Step 2- Copy your API keys from EasyPost to Return Magic

• Go to EasyPost.
• In your drop-down email menu, click on API keys.
• You'll find two API Keys in that section. Copy-paste them inside of Return Magic.
•  Finally, click on Save, and the Return Magic platform would be integrated with your EasyPost account.

5.2) Setting up ReturnLogic with EasyPost

Just like Return Magic, ReturnLogic also works post a third-party integration. However, the return management solution has a long list of applications to which it can be connected. 

ReturnLogic supports integrations with renowned eCommerce businesses like Shopify and Shopify Plus and also with apps like Shippo, EasyPost, ShipHero, etc. Today we will be focusing on connecting ReturnLogic with EasyPost.

A) Add EasyPost credentials to ReturnLogic 

Step 1 - Create an EasyPost account

• Visit this URL (https://www.easypost.com/signup?utm_source=returnlogic). You can also sign up directly, but then you won't be able to avail the benefits provided by ReturnLogic.
• Enter your personal details, starting with your first and last name, phone number, and email address. 
• Create a strong password and confirm it in the section below.
• Click Sign up.

Step 2 - Collect EasyPost API keys

• After signing up, you'll be taken to the EasyPost dashboard.
• Click on account_email > API Keys.
• You'll see both test and production API keys in front of you.
• Manage your security settings and copy those API keys. 

Step 3 - Paste the keys in ReturnLogic 

• Go to your ReturnLogic dashboard.
• Click on Menu on the top right corner of your screen.
• Go to Settings and click on Integrations. 
• Next, click on add integrations, and you'll see a small pop-up window with two-three sections asking for various integration details. 
• Under the Integration Category subhead, choose Shipping.
• Next, move on to the Integration Type and select EasyPost. 
• Feed in your product and test API keys, and click on Save.

B) Complete your EasyPost account setup

Step 1 - Save billing details

• In the EasyPost dashboard, click on account_email > Billing. 
• Fill in your bank account or credit card details and click on Save.

Step 2 - Feed in carrier details

• In the same email drop-down menu, go to Carrier Accounts.
• Once the new window opens, on your right-hand side corner, search for your preferred carriers from the carrier list.
• Fill in the necessary details and click on Create.

6) Tips to streamline your eCommerce returns process

An optimized reverse logistics channel can save much time, money and effort for merchants and e-tailers. It can help them focus on growing their business instead of handling avoidable returns and unsatisfied customers. 

Here's how you can achieve that goal by simply making a few modifications to your sales platform:

a) Have clear product descriptions

A 2023 eCommerce statistic suggests that 64% of customers return products because they fail to match the descriptions given for them on seller websites. A simple reason behind that is the mere process of online shopping.

Since customers don't have the flexibility of feeling or seeing the materials before purchasing, they have to rely on product descriptions and pictures provided by the sellers. If those aren't also in place, customers naturally feel cheated and refrain from buying products from the same websites. 

Therefore, as a seller, you should always try to have clear and to-the-point product descriptions along with natural product images.

b) Provide customers enough time to file for return

Many eCommerce businesses request customers return the products within 7 to 15 days of purchase. Others give customers a month to think about their decision. As per studies, merchants and e-tailers should provide customers with longer periods to file a return.

Allowing a longer wait time makes customers feel less pressured about returning the product or missing out on the return deadline. It might even lead to procrastination and finally forgoing the thought of returning the product.

c) Simplify the process of returning for customers

Nowadays, customers are not willing to waste a lot of time on complicated reverse logistics processes. This might make them keep the order, but it lessens the chances of them visiting your platform for future purchases. Therefore, you should make the eCommerce return process as simple and easy as you can. 

Try offering some additional benefits to customers that make them brand loyal and push them to keep coming back. Small things like providing free return shipping, shipping labels, an automated returns portal, etc., can gain customer trust.

d) Analyze return patterns

Many online sellers focus and invest on analyzing the sales pattern of customers rather than their return patterns. Both pieces of data are equally important for your business and can make or break your organization. 

For instance, if you don't know the reason behind constant eCommerce returns for your products, you won't be able to reduce them, and eventually, this will destroy your business. Again, if a customer shows a regular pattern of returning products and availing refunds, you won't be able to identify him/her.

e) Automate your return process

An automated return process makes it easy to deal with the customers' return requests, print labels, assist them with their queries, and manage the other back-end of returns. It also lessens the burden on the customer service team which has to deal with endless calls regularly.

7) FAQs

Though by now, most of your queries around eCommerce returns should have been addressed. However, if you still feel confused about certain topics and terms, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about return management systems that might help you out.

7.1) What is a return merchandise authorization (RMA)?

An RMA number is an authorization eCommerce businesses use to allow returns from customers. This number, when entered on the seller's website, verifies that a return request has been made by the customer and also states that the said merchant is the seller of the goods.

7.2) What is gatekeeping in reverse logistics?

In reverse logistics, gatekeeping is used to evaluate and accept return orders and check if they are eligible for an exchange. The gatekeeper makes sure no product damaged by the customer is entertained for an exchange.

7.3) Why is a return management system important for businesses?

A return management system ensures returns are handled on time, and refunds and exchanges are met after a thorough inspection. It also cuts down the cost of reverse logistics and eases the burden on the customer service teams.

7.4) Does return management software help save money?

Yes, return management software among all other things helps keep track of data. By analyzing that data carefully, you can find the reason behind frequent returns and take the necessary measures to reduce them.

8) Conclusion

Avoiding eCommerce returns completely is a nearly impossible task. If there is anything sellers can do about returns, it's to reduce them and increase their profit margin. That's why eCommerce businesses should work on finding an effective return management solution, which can take their business to great heights and keep their customers happy at all times.