Returns are most feared "piled and ignored." The longer they sit, sellable becomes slow-moving, slow-moving becomes scrap. A simple SOP turns the cost black hole into a controllable process.
Standard four steps
- Sign-in registration: record return on warehouse entry, bind to original order
- Inspection grading: sellable / needs cleaning / needs repair / scrap
- Execution: clean then shelve, repair then shelve, scrap goes to disposal
- Data feedback: return reasons flow back to selection and operations
The key is "grading"
Without grading, good goods get cleared cheaply together; with grading, sellable recover cash fast.
Advice to sellers
Return-handling speed decides how much profit you recover.
Agree a clear return SOP and time limits with the warehouse — far more effective than chasing "where's my return" after the fact.