Returns

Introduction

The Returns resource inside the Retailer API allows you to manage all return related activities that are concerned with the physical aspects of customer returns. It provides detailed information on returns that are registered by a customer or customer service and allows you to process returns or to create a return on behalf of the customer. Within the return-related data, you can find feedback that was provided by you or one of our warehouses in the case of Logistics Via bol.

Return structure

A return request is identified by a returnId. A single return can contain one or more return item(s) related to one or more order id(s). The return items are identified by a rma-id. Actions that you perform on the API are always on a specific item within a return. This means that you will always provide feedback on the rma-id level, and not on return-id. If you create a new return, the API will automatically create a return-id and an rma-id for you.

Create a return

Create a return: creates a return for a customer.

Creating a return allows you to create a return on behalf of the customer. You can create a return up to 90 days after the shipping date, if the customer sent the product to you without registering it. With this endpoint, you can therefore create a new return and credit the customer if the return was properly received. By creating a return, it will also become visible for the customer itself.

In order to create a return, you need to supply the order-item-id that you will find on the package, the amount of quantity that has been returned by the customer, and the way you want to handle this return. In case you want to handle items differently, you can create 1 or more return requests. Please be aware that you can never create more returns than the amount the customer originally ordered.

When creating a return, the customer will receive feedback through email.

Get returns

Get returns: returns a list of handled or unhandled returns.

The retrieve returns endpoint retrieves a list of returns for the retailer, that are registered by either the customer or customer service. You can also create your own returns which are visible through this endpoint.

The get returns endpoints allow you to filter on handled returns (true or false). Handled returns are returns that are already handled by you. Unhandled returns are returns that still require an action from your side.

In addition to handled, you can use the fulfilmentMethod parameter to either filter on FBB (LvB) returns or FBR returns. Once feedback is received on a specific return item, it will be processed and change the return status to HANDLED.

Get a return by return id

Get a return by return id: returns the details of one single return.

The Get a return by return id call allows you to retrieve all the details of a single return. A single return can contain 1 or more return items that are identified by a return ID.

Handle a return by rma id

Handle a return by rma id: handles a return created by the customer.

You can use this endpoint to handle a return that was received from the sender. Be advised that handling a return is always per single return item using an rma-id. As a partner you can specify how the state of the return must be registered and depending on the handling result supplied the customer will receive his/her money back. This action will eventually lead to one or more processing results, which are closely related to the supplied handling result and can be one of the following values:

  • ACCEPTED: the return is accepted

  • REJECTED: the return is rejected

  • CANCELLED: the return is cancelled

This endpoint allows you to update the handlingResult of a return multiple times per rma-id.

To change the processing result of a return from REJECTED to ACCEPTED, set the handlingResult to STILL_APPROVED.

Return handling results

The table below shows all possible return handling result values. Retailers can only use the ones that are marked to be used by "bol and retailer", while the other results are read-only from the retailer’s standpoint.

Table 1. Available handling results and effects
Handling result Is used by Meaning Processing result Refunded through bol?

RETURN_RECEIVED

bol and retailer

Return is received as expected and approved.

ACCEPTED

Yes

EXCHANGE_PRODUCT

bol and retailer

In consultation with the customer, the product will be exchanged or replaced.

ACCEPTED

No

RETURN_DOES_NOT_MEET_CONDITIONS

bol and retailer

Return did not met the expectation/condition.

REJECTED

No

REPAIR_PRODUCT

bol and retailer

You will take the lead in repairing the product for the customer.

ACCEPTED

No

CUSTOMER_KEEPS_PRODUCT_PAID

bol and retailer

Customer is allowed to keep the product.

CANCELLED

No

STILL_APPROVED

bol and retailer

In consultation with the customer, the return is still approved after an initial rejection. With this handling result, you can still refund the customer.

This handling result is only accepted when the announced return was initially rejected by the partner, using one of these handling results: EXCHANGE_PRODUCT, RETURN_DOES_NOT_MEET_CONDITIONS, REPAIR_PRODUCT, or CUSTOMER_KEEPS_PRODUCT_PAID.

ACCEPTED

Yes

CUSTOMER_KEEPS_PRODUCT_FREE_OF_CHARGE

bol

Customer is allowed to keep the product with no costs.

ACCEPTED

Yes

RETURN_ITEM_LOST

bol

Somewhere on its way back to the seller the return item was lost

ACCEPTED

Yes

EXPIRED

bol

The time between registering a return and sending it back took more than 14 days. The return is therefore cancelled.

CANCELLED

No

EXCESSIVE_RETURN

bol

Feedback with more quantity than ordered was supplied.

ACCEPTED

No

STILL_RECEIVED

bol

The return was reported lost but was still received.

ACCEPTED

No

CANCELLED_BY_CUSTOMER

bol

The customer decided to cancel his/her return

CANCELLED

No

FAILED_TO_CREATE_SHIPPING_LABEL

The transporter failed to create a shipping label. The return is therefore cancelled.

CANCELLED

No

UNDER_INVESTIGATION

This is a temporary handling result that will change once the fraud investigation is complete.

bol

Suspicions of fraud by customer. Return will be assessed by our Logistics Service Team within two weeks, after which the item will either be accepted or rejected (in case of fraud).

Initially none, and the final processing result depending on the outcome of the investigation could any of ACCEPTED or REJECTED.

This depends on the outcome of the investigation, at which point the handling result will change to one of the following:

  • RETURN_RECEIVED in case of acceptance.

  • RETURN_DOES_NOT_MEET_CONDITIONS in case of rejection.

FAILED_TO_COLLECT_BY_TRANSPORTER

bol

The error indicates a failure in retrieving something, possibly due to logistical or technical issues. The accompanying message suggests that a return item could not be collected.

CANCELLED

No