# Returns & Refunds
Process returns and refunds for sales that need to be reversed.
# What You Can Do Here
- Process returns for completed sales
- Select specific items to return
- Issue refunds to customers
- Restore stock to inventory
- Track return history
# Understanding Returns
# When to Process a Return
Common scenarios:
- Customer wants to return purchased items
- Items are defective or damaged
- Wrong items were sold
- Customer changed their mind (if return policy allows)
# Return Process
- Find the original sale
- Select items to return
- Process return - Stock is restored
- Issue refund - Money returned to customer
# Processing a Return
# Step 1: Find the Sale
- Go to Sales page
- Search for the sale by:
- Sale number
- Customer name
- Date
- Click on the sale to open details
# Step 2: Open Return Dialog
- On sale details page, look for "Return" or "Process Return" button
- Click the button
- Return dialog/modal opens
(Screenshot: Return dialog with items list)
# Step 3: Select Items to Return
- Item list shows all items from the sale
- For each item:
- Check the item (if checkbox available)
- Enter quantity to return (can return partial quantities)
- Total refund amount is calculated automatically
# Step 4: Process Return
- Review return details:
- Items being returned
- Quantities
- Refund amount
- Click "Process Return" or "Confirm Return"
- Return is processed:
- Stock is restored to inventory
- Return is recorded
- Refund can be issued
# Step 5: Issue Refund
After processing return:
- Refund options appear:
- Cash Refund: Return cash to customer
- Card Refund: Refund to original payment method (if available)
- Store Credit: Issue credit for future purchase
- Select refund method
- Enter refund amount (usually pre-filled)
- Click "Issue Refund"
# Refund Methods
# Cash Refund
- Select "Cash" as refund method
- Enter amount to refund
- Click "Process Refund"
- Give cash to customer
# Card Refund
- Select "Card" as refund method
- Enter amount to refund
- Click "Process Refund"
- Refund is processed to original card (may take 3-5 business days)
Note: Card refunds require payment gateway integration. Contact administrator if not available.
# Store Credit
- Select "Store Credit" as refund method
- Enter credit amount
- Click "Issue Credit"
- Credit is added to customer account
- Customer can use credit for future purchases
# Stock Restoration
# Automatic Stock Update
When return is processed:
- Stock is automatically restored to the warehouse
- Quantity increases by returned amount
- No manual stock update needed
# Verify Stock Restored
- Go to Products → Click on returned product
- Go to Stock tab
- Verify quantity increased by returned amount
# Return History
# View Returns
- Go to Sales page
- Look for "Returns" filter or tab
- See all processed returns
- Or go to original sale, see return information there
# Return Information
Each return shows:
- Return Date: When return was processed
- Original Sale: Link to original sale
- Items Returned: What was returned
- Refund Amount: Money refunded
- Refund Method: How refund was issued
# Tips & Common Mistakes
# ✅ Do's
- Verify original sale before processing return
- Check return policy - some items may not be returnable
- Restore stock immediately - happens automatically
- Issue refund promptly - good customer service
- Keep return records - for accounting and tracking
# ❌ Don'ts
- Don't process return without original sale - need sale record
- Don't skip refund - customer expects money back
- Don't forget to restore stock - happens automatically but verify
- Don't process returns for very old sales - check return policy
- Don't return more than sold - check quantities carefully
# How to Confirm It Worked
# Verify Return Processed
- ✅ Return appears in sale details: Go to original sale, see return info
- ✅ Stock restored: Check product stock, quantity increased
- ✅ Return recorded: Go to Sales → Returns, see the return
- ✅ Refund issued: Customer received refund
# Verify Refund
- Cash refund: Customer received cash
- Card refund: Check payment gateway for refund status
- Store credit: Go to customer details, see credit balance
# Troubleshooting
# Can't Process Return
Issue: Return button not available or greyed out
Solutions:
- Check permissions: You may not have permission to process returns
- Check sale status: Only completed sales can be returned
- Check return policy: Some sales may be non-returnable
- Contact administrator: If return is needed but not allowed
# Stock Not Restored
Issue: Return processed but stock didn't increase
Solutions:
- Refresh page: Sometimes needs refresh to update
- Check warehouse: Verify stock was restored to correct warehouse
- Check product: Ensure product still exists and is active
- Manual adjustment: Manually add stock if automatic restore failed
# Refund Not Processing
Issue: Can't issue refund
Solutions:
- Check refund method: Verify payment method supports refunds
- Check payment gateway: Card refunds require gateway integration
- Use cash refund: If card refund fails, use cash instead
- Contact administrator: For payment gateway issues
Next: Learn about Reports or Users & Permissions.