All e-commerce businesses must face two inevitabilities: returns and the fact that the return process is an essential part of the customer experience. According to the <Pitney Bowes Study>, 72% of shoppers say they “like” a package when it contains a prepaid shipping label. So when customers see your product and brand, all that feeling translates into more “likes”.
In fact, in the end, roughly 30% of all e-commerce transactions end up with an order being returned. You may run your business with quality, efficiency, and diligence, but still be faced with this situation with returns.
However, this can actually be to your company’s benefit. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, most customers expect to see a pre-paid return shipping label in the box.
Putting the shipping label in the box makes it easier for the customer to return the product because they don’t have to figure out how to create a shipping label to mail the product.
So that’s where the prepaid return shipping labels come in. They make it simple and easy for the customer to return the product, which will save your company a lot of time and money in the long run.
1. What is a Prepaid Return Label?
The prepaid return shipping label is used to return goods to the customer and is a prepaid and pre-addressed shipping label so that the customer can easily return the goods if they decide to do so after receiving them. It also helps ensure that your product is shipped back to you quickly and correctly. It looks and works similar to a traditional shipping label, except now the customer is the sender and the merchant is the recipient.
Prepaid shipping labels are a great way to process returns quickly and with no address errors. And the seller can also control the cost of the return because they can choose the cheapest shipping option offered. So by controlling the way the product is returned to the customer, the entire return process can be optimized.
In addition, in most cases, if you don’t use a return label, you don’t have to pay for the delivery of the towed product! Because shipping labels are based on scanning, you will only be charged when the return label is scanned into the mail stream. In this way, merchants can avoid having to prepay for the shipping of return labels for all customers.
So the merchant can create a PDF of the labels and email this return label to the customer. Then, if the customer needs to return the item, all he has to do is print and paste it on the return package. Or, the merchant can print it for the customer and put it in the package, and then all the customers have to do is paste it on the return package.
2. How Does a Prepaid Shipping Label Work?
Prepaid return labels display information to direct the package to the correct destination, as well as tracking at each stage of the process and ensuring the correct service is provided. Each carrier uses a specific template for its prepaid shipping labels. They are designed to be read by humans and machines, so they must be clear and easy to read. Each carrier has designed their own labels to match their own sorting and delivery process.
On prepaid shipping labels, you will see barcodes, numbers, and letters. These are key to the process. Each section provides information to a specific part of the chain.
If you need to create a prepaid return label, online merchants typically must complete the following steps:
- Choose different courier services and delivery methods according to your budget and funds.
- Enter the address of the company or warehouse to which you wish to send the return, and some information about material identification for inventory management
- Payment to cover return shipping costs
- You can also easily create a return label directly with the courier service of your choice. Choose the cheapest shipping method for your returns in order to save your budget.
And there are two ways to ensure your customers get prepaid shipping labels:
- Shipping with goods: This is the easiest for your customers.Return shipping labels with printed packaging – all the customer has to do is take the item to the courier company.
- Let the customer print: You can also email the return shipping label to the customer and let them print it themselves, or let the customer download it from your website and print it from the printer at home. Then they just need to take the item to the courier.
3. How to Create a Prepaid Shipping Label of USPS?
The process of sending prepaid shipping labels varies from carrier to carrier.You can view all the options on each carrier’s website and determine which carrier’s service is best for your customers and your business.
USPS prepaid shipments must be created within 7 days of the purchase date of the original shipping label and regulations require that they must be used within 90 days of the label being created. Due to the features of this regulation – prepaid labels will expire, so you will need to ship them digitally at the customer’s request, rather than including them in an outbound package order.
The easiest way to create a prepaid USPS shipping label is to log on to the USPS Click-N-Ship website which provides a convenient way for your customers to find the information they need on the website, and then create a USPS prepaid label. And USPS also offers many bounce-back mail categories. You can quickly and easily print, send, and use USPS return labels, which also include Priority Mail Express Service and First Class Express Service.
So according to the instructions on the official USPS website, ways to provide return labels to customers include the following.
- Include them in shipments to customers
- Integrate a returns tool into your website
- Let customers print their own
- Request a return label through the print and deliver label service.
And the following are the steps to create a prepaid shipping label for the outbound shipping label you just created.
- At the top of the screen, under Confirmation of the shipping label you just created, select Create Return Label.
- Follow the prompts to create the label.
- On the History screen, create the return label.
- From the “History” menu, select “Shipping and postal history”.
- Select the desired USPS shipment.
- Select the Create Return Label button.
- Follow the prompts to create the label.
- After selecting “Print”, the label will open in PDF format and you can print it or send it digitally to your customer.
4. How to Create a Prepaid Shipping Label of FedEx?
FedEx return labels are available in several options:
- FedEx Email Return Label
This labeling service doesn’t cost you anything until you use it, and you can easily track it by linking it to an outbound shipping label. Not only that, but you can also offer a package pickup option for return shippers through FedEx Shipping. So, this FedEx prepaid label solution is perfect for medical, legal documents, warranty services, and more.
- FedEx Email Return Label
This is the electronic version of the FedEx return label. You can send your customers an email with the password-protected barcode. Then, the customer can either print the label or present their own barcode at the FedEx office. Also, you can determine how much time it takes for your customer to print the label. This return labeling method also has links that make it easy for customers to arrange pick-up and drop-off services.
- FedEx Express Billable Stamps
Billable stamps are pre-printed labels with your specified address and your choice of advance shipping options. This reduces the possibility of shipping to the wrong address when the customer chooses to return the item, plus the merchant can choose a pre-shipment option that fits their budget. They are cost effective and simplify shipping management for the merchant.
- FedEx Ground Package Returns Program
This service option is only available in the United States and Canada.You can send a printed return label with the package to the customer, or upon request. Then, if the customer needs to use the return service, the customer attaches the label to the package and brings it to the FedEx office to make the return.
FedEx prepaid shipping labels do not expire, which makes them a great alternative to the customer’s choice of delivery service.
So how do we create prepaid FedEx shipping labels?Please follow the steps below to create a FedEx shipping label:
- Open the official website and log in to your FedEx account, if not, please register online.
- On the shipping label, select Create Shipping.
- In the FedEx Ship Manager, choose “Prepare Shipment” and then click on “Create Return”.
- When filling out the return package information, enter your own information, then enter your customer’s information (customer’s address as sender and your own address as recipient).
- choose the type of return label from the given options according to the budgets planning or customer requirements.
- choose your preferred method of return by selecting the package type (FedEx Printed Return Label does not apply to FedEx Express Saver)
- Next, you must specify the type of packaging, whether it is a box, tube or envelope.
- View and confirm your billing information.
- Review and confirm the shipping information, and then click the Shipping button to complete the process.
5. How to Create a Prepaid Shipping Label of UPS?
Like FedEx, UPS offers several return options, but only in selected countries:
- UPS Returns – Print Return Label
If you use this service, you can send the UPS return label with your package, but you can also send it separately at the merchant’s request or at the customer’s request. The stated value of this service is limited to $1,000 or the equivalent in other currencies. You can select the service from the “Select Service” option and follow the prompts to enter the required product information. Then, you can view the information before printing the label.
- UPS Returns Plus
In this service, the UPS driver will place a UPS return label on the return package when it is picked up from the specified address. You can then select one of two options in this service:
- UPS will make one attempted pickup, of which only one is attempted, and if the pickup fails, the UPS prepaid label is left with the recipient. The stated value of this service is $99.00.
- UPS will make three attempts to pick up the shipment. The stated value of this service is limited to $50.00.
- UPS Electronic Return Label
Your customers can print the return label and receipt and see information on how to schedule a pickup. You can select this option in the “Return Service” section, enter product information, and view and confirm the email sent to your customer. Don’t forget to select the “Receipt” option before confirming.
- UPS Print and Mail Return Label
This service is useful in many situations, especially if the product needs to be recalled.
You can print a UPS prepaid label and UPS will mail it to your customer. To use this option, please check it in the “Return Service” section. Then, follow the prompts, enter the desired item description and information, review and confirm the information.
Then, select the Ship Now button. If you want to print a receipt for the returned item, select Receipt while viewing it. Finally, select View and Print Labels.
You can create and manage UPS return shipping labels through a return shipping service called UPS CampusShip. For generating UPS prepaid labels, fill out the “return to” and “ship from” address information, then select the package weight and size you that need.
6. How Sending Prepaid Return Shipping Labels Helps You Grow Your Business
Returns are an unavoidable issue that every e-commerce business needs to face. However, the advent of return shipping labels can help make this process much easier and faster, not only increasing customer satisfaction, but also reducing the hassle for your company!
In an official UPS report, it was noted that 58% of customers reported that “couriers claim that free return shipping is the key to a positive return experience,” and 53% of shoppers can still be satisfied with your business – the product is easy to send back, even if it’s not right for them.
So, even if the current purchase doesn’t work out, a good return service that makes the customer’s life easier and more convenient may lead them to give you a second chance, and may well even become your brand ambassador through their own communications.
So whether a customer chooses to return a product or not, if your e-commerce business can provide a good shopping and return experience for your customers, they know it’s safe and convenient to buy from you, and they’re likely to help you spread the word about your business.
Because even if the purchase isn’t the best fit, handling it with quality service encourages customers to give you a second chance, which opens the door to a potential long-term relationship.
Therefore, improving the return service in your business is very beneficial to the development of your business!
