Every return means a call, a WhatsApp chat, a pickup to book, a quality check and a refund to process by hand.
What returns really cost
Return rates on COD orders run from 18–40% in categories like fashion, footwear and beauty, and the cost per return is commonly ₹150–350 before product damage [1]. On top of that sits the manual work: answering buyers, booking pickups and processing refunds one by one.
A better returns process
- A branded returns page where buyers log in with an OTP.
- Reason and photos captured upfront — no back-and-forth.
- Exchange first: offer a size swap or store credit before a refund.
- Rules that auto-approve low-risk returns.
- Reverse pickup with a quality check at the door.
- Automatic refunds once the item passes QC.
How RakshaSetu automates it
RakshaSetu Returns runs the whole flow on WhatsApp. Buyers raise a return or exchange, rules approve it, pickup is booked, and refunds go out automatically: we capture and verify the buyer's bank or UPI details and refund them after QC — no manual effort. It costs just ₹10 per return, exchange or refund, and disputes go to our team, not yours.
Start free — ₹0 a month →Frequently asked questions
How do I reduce returns on my D2C store?
Offer exchanges first, show accurate size charts and photos, and verify buyers at checkout. Exchanges keep the revenue that a refund would lose.
Can refunds be automated safely?
Yes, when the buyer's bank or UPI details are verified (account name matched) and the refund is released only after the returned item passes quality check.
Sources
Figures are industry estimates from the sources above and vary by category and business.