Shopify Exchange API
Plans : Premium, Enterprise Platforms : Shopify
Shopify Exchange is an integrated solution that helps merchants efficiently process product returns and exchanges. This feature allows you to seamlessly add exchange items to the original order when a customer requests a return or exchange, ensuring accurate reporting and a smooth customer experience. This guide will walk you through enabling and setting up Shopify Exchange, managing RMAs, and handling configurations for optimal returns and exchange management.
Shopify Exchange enables merchants to process exchanges by creating a new exchange order or adding exchange items directly to the original order. This flexibility simplifies the return process and ensures accurate financial reporting.
Add exchange items to original order: Streamline the process by adding exchange items directly to the original order.
Accurate accounting: Shopify will generate accurate financial reports, including return and exchange values.
Supports AfterShip integration: Easily integrate with AfterShip for automated exchange processing.
In this tutorial, we will show you:
Prerequisites
How Shopify Exchange works
Setting up Shopify exchange
Managing RMAs with Shopify Exchange
Release fulfillment of exchange items
Tags and notes on exchange orders
Shopify exchange requirements and limitations
Shopify Exchange is available for customers on AfterShip Returns’ Premium and Enterprise plans.
Customers must contact our support team to enable this feature for their account.
There are two primary options for processing exchanges:
This approach generates a new order for the exchanged item(s) on your eCommerce platform.
You can hold the order for fulfillment using Shopify flow and control the release for fulfillment using automation rules.
The exchange item(s) will be added to the original order and automatically held by Shopify untill you release them for fulfillment.
You can control when to release the exchange items for fulfillment manually or automatically ensuring a smooth process.
To offer exchanges, enable one of the following options:
Replace for the same item (direct exchanges of the same product).
Exchange for another item (exchanging a product with a different item).
Go to Refunds and exchanges in your AfterShip Returns admin.
Update the Exchange order processing option to Add exchange items to the original order.
Save your settings and test the process to ensure everything works as expected.
Once an RMA is created:
AfterShip Returns will create a return in Shopify as usual under the same order.
The Cost of return will now be included in the Return shipping column.
The Exchange item will be added to the return.
Exchange Shipping will be added to the original order if you charge your customer for exchange shipping. A new shipping line will appear in the original order, showing the number of returns.
Example: #1067- R1
Shopify will automatically hold the exchange item. There's no need to manually hold the exchange item using Shopify Flow.
*
If you Release hold for the exchange item on Shopify, the Release fulfillment option on AfterShip Returns will automatically disappear.
Approve: If you approve an RMA, the process will continue as usual, with no changes.
Reject/Expired RMA: If you reject an RMA that includes an exchange item or if the RMA has expired, AfterShip will cancel the return in Shopify. It will also remove the exchange item and exchange shipping line from the original order. A card indicating the removed items will be displayed in the Shopify order.
RMA timeline: You can also review the activity log for the specific order in the AfterShip Returns RMA detail page under Timeline section or Shopify admin panel.
The exchange item has already been added to the original order in Shopify and is currently being held by Shopify. You now have two options for releasing the item.
For Add exchange item to original order flow, you can manually release the exchange item by clicking the Release fulfillment button on the RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) detail page. This action will allow the exchange item to be processed in Shopify.
In the Create a new exchange order flow, items cannot be manually released for fulfillment from the AfterShip Returns admin. You can either release the hold via the Shopify admin by clicking Release hold or use Automation rules (next section) in the AfterShip Returns admin to do so.
Alternatively, you can set up automation to release the exchange item automatically, without having to perform the action manually each time.
If you're using a third-party ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system or a shipping provider, make sure that they are able to fulfill the exchange item before releasing it. This ensures smooth fulfillment of the exchange order.
Enable the Auto-release Shopify exchange items rule in the automation rules section of your AfterShip Returns admin.
Note: The automation applies to both scenarios:
Releasing the exchange order created by AfterShip Returns.
Releasing the exchange items through Shopify exchange.
Select a release condition: Approve, In-transit, Delivered, Marked as received, or Marked as resolved.
Once the RMA is updated to the selected status in AfterShip Returns, the hold will automatically be released for fulfillment in Shopify.
If you're using Happy Returns, the Auto-turn feature for "On hold" to "Unfulfilled" also works for both scenarios.
In the Create a new order for exchange items flow process, when an exchange is created, both the exchange order and the original order will have their own set of tags and notes. These help track the details specific to each order type.
When merchants move from Create a new order for exchange items flow to using the Shopify Exchange API, the system will consolidate the exchange order's tags and notes into the original order. This means that the tags and notes that were originally associated with the exchange order will no longer be editable once they are added.
Shopify Return API: Ensure the Shopify Return API is enabled to track return status updates.
Exchange configuration for replace with the same item method: Enable the Allow exchanges for different-priced variants and Charge or refund via AfterShip Returns options.
Shopify checkout: Shopify checkout must be enabled to process exchange payments.
Instant exchange: Shopify Exchange does not support instant exchanges.
Unpaid orders: If the original order has an unpaid balance, the customer will need to pay both the unpaid amount and any upsell amount during the return request.
Pending refunds: If there is a pending refund, the exchange option will be hidden from the return request.
Unfulfilled items: Shopify Exchange doesn’t support unfulfilled items, bundle child line items, or gift returns.
Third-party apps: Orders created by third-party apps cannot be edited, and you will need to use the “Create new exchange order” flow.
Overview
Shopify Exchange is an integrated solution that helps merchants efficiently process product returns and exchanges. This feature allows you to seamlessly add exchange items to the original order when a customer requests a return or exchange, ensuring accurate reporting and a smooth customer experience. This guide will walk you through enabling and setting up Shopify Exchange, managing RMAs, and handling configurations for optimal returns and exchange management.
Shopify Exchange enables merchants to process exchanges by creating a new exchange order or adding exchange items directly to the original order. This flexibility simplifies the return process and ensures accurate financial reporting.
Key features:
Add exchange items to original order: Streamline the process by adding exchange items directly to the original order.
Accurate accounting: Shopify will generate accurate financial reports, including return and exchange values.
Supports AfterShip integration: Easily integrate with AfterShip for automated exchange processing.
What you’ll learn
In this tutorial, we will show you:
Prerequisites
How Shopify Exchange works
Setting up Shopify exchange
Managing RMAs with Shopify Exchange
Release fulfillment of exchange items
Tags and notes on exchange orders
Shopify exchange requirements and limitations
Prerequisites
Shopify Exchange is available for customers on AfterShip Returns’ Premium and Enterprise plans.
Customers must contact our support team to enable this feature for their account.
How Shopify Exchange works
There are two primary options for processing exchanges:
1. Create a new exchange order
This approach generates a new order for the exchanged item(s) on your eCommerce platform.
You can hold the order for fulfillment using Shopify flow and control the release for fulfillment using automation rules.
2. Add exchange items to the original order
The exchange item(s) will be added to the original order and automatically held by Shopify untill you release them for fulfillment.
You can control when to release the exchange items for fulfillment manually or automatically ensuring a smooth process.
| Feature | Create a new exchange order | Add exchange item to original order |
|---|---|---|
| Process Timing | Shopify Checkout: The exchange order will be automatically created when a return is initiated, if customers choose Exchange for other items or need to pay the upsell amount for the exchange ( Replace). You can put the exchange order hold using Shopify Flow, and then utilize the auto-release feature for Shopify exchange items to release the items for fulfillment. | Exchange item is automatically added to the original order and held by Shopify before you release it for fulfillment. You can control (automate) when to release the exchange item using the auto-release feature . |
| Stripe/Other Checkout: You can choose when to create the exchange order using automation rules . | ||
| Reporting | May require reconciliation for accuracy. (Use AfterShip Sale Adjustment Report) | Accurate, no reconciliation needed. |
| Checkout | No checkout required. Option to use Stripe or Shopify checkout to collect any upsell amount. | Shopify checkout only. |
| Plan Requirements | Available on all paid plans. | Available on Premium and Enterprise plans only. |
Setting up Shopify exchange
1. Enable exchange options
To offer exchanges, enable one of the following options:
Replace for the same item (direct exchanges of the same product).
Exchange for another item (exchanging a product with a different item).
2. Configure exchange item processing
Go to Refunds and exchanges in your AfterShip Returns admin.
Update the Exchange order processing option to Add exchange items to the original order.
3. Save and test
Save your settings and test the process to ensure everything works as expected.
Managing RMAs with Shopify Exchange
1. RMA creation
Once an RMA is created:
AfterShip Returns will create a return in Shopify as usual under the same order.
The Cost of return will now be included in the Return shipping column.
The Exchange item will be added to the return.
Exchange Shipping will be added to the original order if you charge your customer for exchange shipping. A new shipping line will appear in the original order, showing the number of returns.
Example: #1067- R1
Shopify will automatically hold the exchange item. There's no need to manually hold the exchange item using Shopify Flow.
*If you Release hold for the exchange item on Shopify, the Release fulfillment option on AfterShip Returns will automatically disappear.
2. Approving or Rejecting RMAs
Approve: If you approve an RMA, the process will continue as usual, with no changes.
Reject/Expired RMA: If you reject an RMA that includes an exchange item or if the RMA has expired, AfterShip will cancel the return in Shopify. It will also remove the exchange item and exchange shipping line from the original order. A card indicating the removed items will be displayed in the Shopify order.
RMA timeline: You can also review the activity log for the specific order in the AfterShip Returns RMA detail page under Timeline section or Shopify admin panel.
3. Release fulfillment of exchange items
The exchange item has already been added to the original order in Shopify and is currently being held by Shopify. You now have two options for releasing the item.
1. Manual release
For Add exchange item to original order flow, you can manually release the exchange item by clicking the Release fulfillment button on the RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) detail page. This action will allow the exchange item to be processed in Shopify.
In the Create a new exchange order flow, items cannot be manually released for fulfillment from the AfterShip Returns admin. You can either release the hold via the Shopify admin by clicking Release hold or use Automation rules (next section) in the AfterShip Returns admin to do so.
2. Automated Release
Alternatively, you can set up automation to release the exchange item automatically, without having to perform the action manually each time.
If you're using a third-party ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system or a shipping provider, make sure that they are able to fulfill the exchange item before releasing it. This ensures smooth fulfillment of the exchange order.
Enable the Auto-release Shopify exchange items rule in the automation rules section of your AfterShip Returns admin.
Note: The automation applies to both scenarios:
Releasing the exchange order created by AfterShip Returns.
Releasing the exchange items through Shopify exchange.
Select a release condition: Approve, In-transit, Delivered, Marked as received, or Marked as resolved.
Once the RMA is updated to the selected status in AfterShip Returns, the hold will automatically be released for fulfillment in Shopify.
If you're using Happy Returns, the Auto-turn feature for "On hold" to "Unfulfilled" also works for both scenarios.
Tags and notes on exchange orders
In the Create a new order for exchange items flow process, when an exchange is created, both the exchange order and the original order will have their own set of tags and notes. These help track the details specific to each order type.
When merchants move from Create a new order for exchange items flow to using the Shopify Exchange API, the system will consolidate the exchange order's tags and notes into the original order. This means that the tags and notes that were originally associated with the exchange order will no longer be editable once they are added.
Shopify exchange requirements and limitations
Requirements
Shopify Return API: Ensure the Shopify Return API is enabled to track return status updates.
Exchange configuration for replace with the same item method: Enable the Allow exchanges for different-priced variants and Charge or refund via AfterShip Returns options.
Shopify checkout: Shopify checkout must be enabled to process exchange payments.
Limitations
Instant exchange: Shopify Exchange does not support instant exchanges.
Unpaid orders: If the original order has an unpaid balance, the customer will need to pay both the unpaid amount and any upsell amount during the return request.
Pending refunds: If there is a pending refund, the exchange option will be hidden from the return request.
Unfulfilled items: Shopify Exchange doesn’t support unfulfilled items, bundle child line items, or gift returns.
Third-party apps: Orders created by third-party apps cannot be edited, and you will need to use the “Create new exchange order” flow.
Updated on: 13/12/2024
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