Link the return to the original sale
The returned SKU, selling price, customer and payment history should remain traceable.
Record the logistics outcome
Know whether the item is still with the customer, in transit or received at a location.
Inspect before restocking
Returned stock may be sellable, damaged, opened or require repacking.
Record refund or exchange separately
A refund and an exchange have different inventory and financial consequences.
Update profit after return cost
Return shipping, refund and stock disposition can change the real result of the order.
Track reasons by SKU
Repeated reasons can reveal product-quality, sizing, expectation or fulfillment problems.
The operating principle
Every event should remain connected to the product, contact or transaction that created it. That is what lets ERP explain a number instead of only displaying it.