Returns & RMA

Stop giving full refunds on every return

Use a refund funnel to make tiered offers before giving full refunds. Generate RMA numbers, track return reasons, and recover costs from suppliers when products are defective.

Refund Funnel RMA-0047
Order #4521 Wireless Earbuds - $89.00 Reason: Not as described
1st Offer 20% refund ($17.80) Declined
2nd Offer 40% refund ($35.60) Pending
Outcome
Supplier recovery: Mark for claim

Why merchants choose StoreLyst for returns

Protect your margins with a smarter approach to refunds

RMA Generation

Create return authorization numbers in one click. Each RMA links to the original order and customer for easy reference.

Refund Funnel

Make tiered offers before full refunds. Start with a partial refund, then a 2nd offer, and track the final outcome.

Return Reasons

Select a reason for each return from your customizable categories. Keep returns organized and understand why items come back.

Supplier Recovery

Track refunds owed by suppliers for defective products. Mark returns for supplier reimbursement and monitor pending credits.

Protect Margins

In dropshipping, return shipping costs more than the product. Partial refunds let customers keep items while you keep more profit.

Track Outcomes

Record how each return was resolved - partial refund accepted, full refund given, or store credit issued. See what works.

Built for dropshipping returns

01

Item Not As Described

Customer says the product doesn't match the listing. Offer a 20% partial refund to keep the item. If declined, offer 40%. Many customers accept rather than ship back.

Funnel example: 1st offer: 20% refund → 2nd offer: 40% refund → Outcome: Accepted 2nd offer
02

Defective Products

When items arrive damaged, create an RMA and mark it for supplier recovery. Track which supplier returns are pending credits so you can follow up.

Supplier tracking: RMA-0048 marked for supplier refund - AliExpress credit pending
03

Changed Mind

Customer no longer wants the item. In dropshipping, return shipping often exceeds product cost. Offer store credit or a small partial refund to keep the item.

Funnel example: 1st offer: Store credit → 2nd offer: 15% refund → Outcome: Accepted credit
04

Late Delivery

Shipping took too long and the customer wants their money back. Offer a partial refund for the inconvenience while they keep the product.

Funnel example: 1st offer: 25% refund for delay → Outcome: Accepted, item kept

How the refund funnel works

Make tiered offers to protect your margins

1

Create Return & Set Reason

Create a return linked to a Shopify order. Generate an RMA number and select the return reason from your categories.

New Return
RMA-0048
Order: #4521
Reason: Not as described
2

Make 1st Offer

Start with a partial refund offer. For example, offer 20% back if the customer keeps the item. Record the offer in the return.

1st Offer
Offer type: Partial refund
Amount: 20% ($17.80)
Status: Pending response
3

Make 2nd Offer (if needed)

If the first offer is declined, increase the offer. Try 40% or store credit. Many customers accept before reaching full refund.

2nd Offer
Offer type: Partial refund
Amount: 40% ($35.60)
Status: Accepted
4

Record Outcome

Track the final resolution and mark for supplier recovery if applicable. Know exactly how each return was resolved.

Resolved
Outcome: 40% refund
You saved: $53.40
Supplier claim: Pending

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about returns management

How does StoreLyst generate RMA numbers?

StoreLyst automatically generates unique RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) numbers when a return is initiated. Each RMA links to the original order and customer details for easy reference.

What is the refund funnel workflow?

The refund funnel lets you make tiered offers before giving a full refund. Start with a 1st offer (e.g., 20% partial refund), then a 2nd offer if declined, and finally record the outcome. This helps dropshippers protect margins while still resolving customer issues.

Can I track the reason for each return?

Yes, you can select a return reason for each RMA from your list of categories. This helps you understand why products are coming back and keeps your returns organized.

How does supplier refund tracking work?

When a return is due to a product defect or supplier issue, you can mark it for supplier reimbursement. Track which returns are pending supplier credits and which have been recovered.

Why use tiered refund offers?

In dropshipping, return shipping often costs more than the product. Offering a partial refund (keep the item) or store credit first can satisfy customers while protecting your margins. Many customers accept the first or second offer.

Does StoreLyst integrate with Shopify?

Yes, StoreLyst syncs with your Shopify store to pull order data automatically. You can create returns linked to any Shopify order and track the refund workflow within StoreLyst.

Take control of your returns

Join Shopify merchants using StoreLyst to streamline their return process.