Return on Returns Calculator
A cost centre nobody optimises.
Monthly gain
$7,308
pays back in 3.3 months
Returns processing is usually run as a cost centre and rarely optimised, which is exactly why the returns are there to be had. Faster grading back into sellable stock is normally the largest single lever.
How the Return on Returns Calculator works
Returns processing is usually run as a cost centre and rarely optimised, which is exactly why the gains are still there. Faster grading back into sellable stock is normally the largest single lever available.
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I improve recovery on returns?
Grade at receipt rather than in a second pass, get sellable items back into the pick face quickly, and set up a clear route for B-grade stock so it does not sit waiting for a decision.
What recovery rate is achievable?
It depends on category and how quickly items are processed. Speed is the main determinant — an item graded in two days is far more likely to be sellable at full price than one graded in three weeks.
Should I outsource returns processing?
Specialists can be cheaper per unit and faster at grading. The trade is losing visibility of why things came back, which is the information that reduces the rate.
What is the payback on investment here?
Usually short, because the improvement applies to every return from day one. Compare the monthly gain against the investment and most projects clear in under a year.