AfterShip Returns POS: Refund Workflow

Overview

AfterShip Returns POS integrates directly with Shopify’s API to support the return for refund workflow. When a return is initiated from the Returns POS interface, AfterShip creates a return record in the associated Shopify order and processes the refund via the Shopify API.

• If the selected refund method is store credit, the refunded amount remains on the original order. AfterShip then triggers the store credit issuance according to the settings configured in the AfterShip admin panel.

Store staff workflow

1. Accessing the return interface

• Store staff can locate the customer’s order in Shopify POS and initiate the AfterShip return or exchange directly from the order detail view.

• If the order already has return requests, staff will see a list of those requests and their statuses.

2. Selecting items to return

• Staff can choose which items the customer wants to return.
• If Allow POS staff to override return eligibility is enabled in the admin settings, staff can bypass standard return policy restrictions and proceed with ineligible items.

For example, if the merchant has blocklisted certain product tags, any products with those tags will be ineligible for return—provided the "Allow POS staff to override return eligibility" setting is disabled in the admin panel.

3. Restocking the returned items

• Staff must indicate whether the returned item should be restocked to the current POS location.
• If this option is selected, the item will be restocked to the store's inventory within Shopify when the return is processed.

4. Capturing return reason

• Store staff should ask the customer for a return reason.
• Return reasons are configurable:

a. Admins can define a return reason library.

b. Different reason groups can be assigned to specific products.

Learn more about how to configure return reasons and groups.

5. Choosing refund outcome

• Select Refund as the outcome of the return process.

6. Reviewing the refund summary

• A refund preview page displays the refund details for review.
• The available refund methods are determined by settings in the admin portal.
• If bonus credit is configured, it will also be applied here.

7. Completing the return

When staff click the Refund button:

• A return request is created in the AfterShip Admin.
• The request is automatically processed based on admin settings and triggers (including refund and restocking).

Returns POS help resources

• AfterShip Returns POS Introduction
• How to set up AfterShip Returns on Shopify POS
• How to set up Shopify POS in AfterShip Returns
• How to process online returns in Returns POS
• How to process in-store returns with Returns POS (Refund) - Currently reading
• How to process in-store returns with Returns POS (Exchange)
• How to fulfill exchange orders on Returns POS
• How AfterShip Return Policy Settings Apply to Returns POS

Updated on: 09/07/2025