AURA Ecommerce OS Core system • Operations

Returns & RMA Automation

A self-serve returns & exchange flow that protects margins, reduces support tickets and feeds clean data back into ops — across Shopify, Woo and custom stacks.

Self-serve portal + smart rules Exchanges instead of blind refunds Warehouse & 3PL-friendly
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Returns are where profit leaks. AURA turns them into a controlled, data-rich loop that protects your margins and improves product decisions.

What this system does

Makes returns less painful for everyone

Customers get a clean, branded self-serve portal. Your team gets clear rules, fewer tickets, and better data on why products come back.

  • Self-serve returns & exchanges with eligibility checks baked in.
  • Smart routing: refunds vs exchange vs store credit based on margin & stock.
  • Auto-generated labels or RMA numbers for your warehouse / 3PL.
  • Return reasons captured in a structured way for ops & product teams.
“Amazon-level” experience, without custom dev Brand-safe design & copy

Where it sits in your stack

Returns & RMA Automation plugs into your store platform, shipping tools and helpdesk. We keep the logic central so you don’t have to maintain five different policy versions.

  • Platforms: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, custom.
  • Tools: Return platforms (e.g. Loop/ReturnGo) or bespoke flows in Shopify + Make/Zapier.
  • Helpdesk: Gorgias, Zendesk, HelpScout, etc.
  • Logistics: Your 3PL or warehouse, via email, webhook or direct integration.
Who it’s for & what we build

Ideal for brands that…

  • Are scaling past “answer every returns email manually”.
  • Want to push exchanges and store credit instead of defaulting to refunds.
  • Use a 3PL or warehouse that needs clear, consistent RMA info.
  • Need better visibility on why products are coming back (sizes, quality, expectations).

If returns are eating into your margin, this system pays for itself quickly just by stopping the chaos.

What we set up for you

  • Branded self-serve returns portal or embedded page.
  • Eligibility rules by product, order value, region and time window.
  • Logic for refunds vs exchanges vs store credit.
  • RMA numbers, labels or instructions for warehouse / 3PL.
  • Dashboards for return rates, reasons, and margin impact.
Inputs & outputs

Inputs we need from you

  • Your current returns policy (or what you’d like it to be).
  • Platforms you’re on (Shopify / Woo / custom) and any existing returns tools.
  • Rough margin bands and product groups (what’s safe to refund vs push exchange).
  • Warehouse / 3PL process today (labels, packing slips, RMA numbers, etc.).

Outputs you get

  • Working returns & exchanges flow live in your stack.
  • Reduced tickets: customers handle 70–80% of the journey themselves.
  • Cleaner data on why items come back, split by SKU / collection.
  • Simple reports you can hand to ops or finance.
Example workflow

How a returns automation build runs

  1. You share your current policy, platforms and pain points.
  2. AURA designs the ideal “happy path” and edge cases for returns & exchanges.
  3. We either configure your existing returns tool or build flows via Shopify + Make/Zapier.
  4. Warehouse / 3PL instructions and RMA info are standardised.
  5. Return reasons are structured so you can see patterns at SKU / collection level.
  6. We run a test period and adjust rules to protect margin and CX.

End result: less back-and-forth, fewer surprises for customers, and a returns process that actually teaches you something.

FAQ
Do we need a dedicated returns app?
Not always. For some brands, we’ll wire this using Shopify, your helpdesk and Make/Zapier. For others, we’ll plug into tools like Loop or ReturnGo if they make sense. The goal is the right stack, not the most expensive one.
Can this work with our 3PL?
Yes. We can send them RMA info by email, webhook, CSV drops or direct platform integration, depending on what they support. The system is built around your ops reality.
What about fraud and serial returners?
We can add guardrails for high-risk scenarios — order value caps, blocked zip codes, stricter rules for certain segments — so you’re not blindly offering free returns to everyone forever.
Which platforms does this support?
Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce and custom builds. If the platform can expose order data, we can usually automate returns around it.
Ready to make returns less chaotic and more profitable?
We’ll design and wire a Returns & RMA system that fits your policies, stack and margins — then give you the data to improve over time.
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