Create Return Orders Without Forward Orders In Eshopbox

by Alex Johnson 56 views

Streamlining Returns: A New Approach for Eshopbox Users

Eshopbox, an innovative platform, is constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of e-commerce. A significant aspect of this evolution is optimizing the returns process. The ability to create return orders without a forward order is a crucial feature that expands the versatility of the platform. This allows for a more comprehensive and flexible return management system, particularly beneficial in a diverse e-commerce landscape. This document outlines the rationale behind this enhancement, the intended functionality, and the overall impact on user experience.

The Core Objective: Return Order Flexibility

The primary objective behind this feature is to empower users to manage returns independently of the initial order’s journey within Eshopbox. This change is vital for handling returns from various sources, including external platforms, manual entries, or older systems that may not have been directly processed through Eshopbox. The goal is to ensure a smooth and adaptable returns process, enhancing the overall user experience and offering more flexibility to merchants.

Navigate Returns Easily: UI Enhancements

To ensure easy access, the “Create Return” CTA (Call to Action) button will be prominently displayed across multiple key areas of the user interface:

  • All Orders Page: The "Create Return" button will be placed in the header, making it immediately visible for initiating a return process.
  • Process Orders Page: Users can also initiate returns directly from this page, with the "Create Return" button conveniently located in the header.
  • Process Returns Page: For managing existing returns, the "Create Return" button will also be accessible in the header of the Process Returns page.

Current Limitations and the Need for Change

Currently, the Eshopbox system requires a forward order or tracking ID to create a return. This limitation restricts the ability to process returns from orders that did not originate within Eshopbox. This feature improvement directly addresses this issue by enabling return order creation regardless of the forward order’s existence within the system, thus boosting flexibility and ease of use.

Introducing Enhanced Return Creation: A Detailed Overview

The New “Create Return” Form

When a user selects "Create Return," a modal form will appear, facilitating the return order creation process. The form is designed with several segments, including forward details, return order details, buyer information, return product details, and package details.

Segment Breakdown and Key Fields

1. Forward Details Segment

  • Order ID/Forward Tracking ID: This field is optional. Users can input either the order ID or the forward tracking ID. Upon submission, the system will attempt to fetch order details. If the ID exists, the system will auto-populate the buyer, product, and package details. If the ID is not found, an informational message will appear, and users can manually fill in the details. If the field is left blank, a message indicating that the forward order was not created in Eshopbox will appear on the confirmation page.

2. Return Order Details Segment

  • Sales Channel: A mandatory dropdown menu that lists all the configured applications in the workspace.
  • Warehouse Location: A mandatory dropdown showing the user's "My Locations" along with a link to add a new location.
  • Return Placed Date: A mandatory calendar field, automatically filled with the current date, with no future date selection allowed.
  • Return Reason: A mandatory dropdown field that pulls reasons dynamically from the Customer Portal’s Return Policy section.
  • Additional Remarks: An optional text area for any additional return-related notes.
  • Image Upload: Allows users to upload up to three product images in JPEG/JPG/PNG formats.
  • Return ID: A mandatory checkbox with an auto-generate field, allowing the system to automatically generate a return ID or allowing manual entry.

3. Buyer’s Information Segment

  • Customer Name: A mandatory text field that auto-fills if order details are found; otherwise, the user must manually enter the name.

  • Mobile Number: A mandatory numeric field that validates for a 10-digit format.

  • Email ID: An optional text field that auto-fills if the information is available.

  • Address: A mandatory text area for the buyer’s address.

  • Pincode: A mandatory numeric field, which auto-fetches the city, state, and country.

  • City/State/Country: These fields are auto-populated based on the pincode and can be edited. This ensures that the location details are accurate.

  • Saved Buyer Dropdown: A searchable dropdown that provides a list of saved buyers, mirroring the functionality found on Shopify.

    Important Note: A warning message will appear if the entered pincode is not serviceable by Eshopbox for website orders. This will not block the form submission, but it will inform the user.

4. Return Product Details Segment

  • SKU: A mandatory text/searchable dropdown field. If the SKU is not found, a new SKU will be created on submission.

  • Product Title: A mandatory text field, auto-filled if the SKU exists.

  • Quantity: A mandatory numeric field, defaulting to 1.

  • MRP: An optional numeric field.

  • Selling Price: A mandatory numeric field.

  • Tax %: An optional dropdown field.

  • HSN Code: An optional text field.

  • Doorstep QC: A conditional toggle (Yes/No), shown only for the website channel.

    Doorstep QC Logic: If "Yes," only QC-enabled partners will be assigned. If "No," standard partner assignment will take place.

5. Package Details Segment

  • Weight (Kg): A mandatory numeric field, auto-filled or manual input.
  • Length/Breadth/Height: Mandatory numeric fields, auto-filled if available.
  • Chargeable Weight: A read-only field that automatically calculates the chargeable weight, with a tooltip linking to a help article.
  • Learn More Link: An inline help icon redirects users to an article explaining chargeable weight.

6. Form Validations

The form will incorporate key validations to ensure data accuracy:

  • Mandatory fields: Customer Name, Mobile Number, Address, Pincode, Sales Channel, Warehouse, SKU, and Return Reason.
  • Numeric validations for Weight, Dimensions, and Quantity.
  • The return date cannot be in the future.
  • Maximum of three image uploads.
  • City, State, and Country fields are auto-fetched and non-editable.

7. Actions

  • Primary Buttons: "Create Return" and "Create and Initiate Return."

  • "Create Return" creates the return entry.

  • "Create and Initiate Return" creates the return and triggers the pickup flow for serviceable pincodes.

  • Secondary Button: "Cancel" closes the form without saving.

    Confirmation Message:

    “Return [Return ID] successfully created. Forward Order not found in Eshopbox — details captured manually.”

8. Edge Scenarios

To ensure smooth operations across all cases, the system has been designed to handle various scenarios:

  • Invalid Order ID: An info message will appear, and manual entry will be allowed.
  • Skipped Order ID: Full manual entry will be permitted.
  • Marketplace: The doorstep QC toggle will be hidden.
  • Website: The doorstep QC toggle will be visible.
  • Pincode Unserviceable: A warning message will be displayed, but the creation will be allowed to proceed.

9. Expected Outcome

  • Returns can be created manually, without a dependency on a forward order.
  • If a valid forward ID is entered, it will link to the existing order.
  • If the forward ID is not found, a "Forward Order Not Created in Eshopbox" tag will appear in All Orders and the Order Item Details.

Conclusion: Empowering Flexibility in Returns Management

This enhancement represents a crucial step in Eshopbox’s journey to optimize the returns process. By allowing users to create return orders independently of a forward order, the platform provides the flexibility needed to handle a wider array of return scenarios. This ultimately enhances user experience, simplifies order processing, and helps maintain a seamless reverse logistics operation. This improvement is just one more example of how Eshopbox is striving to meet the evolving needs of the e-commerce sector.

For more information on returns management and best practices, check out the resources provided by Shopify, a platform that also focuses on optimizing the e-commerce experience. [Link to Shopify Returns Policy Guide]