ReturnStatus in Shopify API: A GraphQL Guide
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- ReturnStatus in Shopify's GraphQL Admin API streamlines and simplifies the return management process.
- The predefined return statuses allow merchants to improve communication, efficiency, and decision-making around returns.
- PIM software like Catsy's enhances return management with centralized product data and automated content updates.
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Why Shopify?
Managing product returns is one of the most complex challenges for any online business. The constant back-and-forth between merchants and customers and navigating different return statuses can take time and effort. However, if you’re using Shopify, much of this complexity is hidden behind the scenes, thanks to a powerful Shopify API.
While many merchants experience a smooth returns process through Shopify’s intuitive front end, the real work happens in the backend, where the API manages the details. At the heart of this efficient system lies a powerful feature called ReturnStatus, implemented through Shopify’s GraphQL API.
ReturnStatus allows merchants to track and manage returns through various stages—like Requested, In Progress, or Completed—making the entire return process more transparent and efficient. This post explores how the ReturnStatus feature works within Shopify’s GraphQL API implementation and how it makes life easier.
Understanding the Basics of Shopify Customization
What Is Shopify API and How Does It Help Store Owners?
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. Essentially, it’s a bridge that connects two systems, allowing them to exchange information and work together without needing to understand each other’s internal mechanics.
Think of an API like a server in a restaurant. When you, the customer, want to order food, you don’t need to go into the kitchen yourself. Instead, you tell the waiter what you want, and they communicate your order to the kitchen. Once the food is prepared, the waiter brings it back to you. The waiter (API) acts as the intermediary between you (the user) and the kitchen (the system that processes your request), ensuring everything happens seamlessly.
In the same way, Shopify’s API acts as a middleman between your store and Shopify’s backend. When you need to process a return, check inventory, or update an order, the API sends the necessary instructions to Shopify’s servers. It returns the results to your store, allowing everything to function smoothly in the background without you having to intervene manually. This level of automation and communication helps store owners save time and manage their business more efficiently.
GraphQL vs. REST in Shopify
Shopify’s API leverages two main architectures: GraphQL and REST. Both are frameworks for requesting and retrieving data, but they differ in how they operate, how much data they provide, and their efficiency.
How do they differ?
The critical difference lies in how each framework handles data requests. REST operates on predefined endpoints, meaning each request is tied to a specific resource. In contrast, GraphQL allows clients to request the data they need, all in a single query.
Here’s a more detailed comparison:
Feature | GraphQL Framework | REST Framework |
Data Fetching | A single request can fetch multiple resources, making this framework flexible and able to support precise data requests. | Typically, it requires multiple requests for different data points. |
Flexibility | High—clients specify exactly what data they need. | The server determines the structure of the response. |
Performance | It is better for large datasets, reducing over-fetching or under-fetching. | It can be less efficient for complex data needs. |
Complexity of Requests | Requires a deeper understanding of schemas. | It is easier to use with well-documented endpoints. |
So, why choose the GraphQL framework for product returns?
Shopify’s GraphQL API is the ideal choice for handling the backend of product returns. The main reason is that managing returns often involves retrieving multiple pieces of information, such as the return status, product details, customer data, and order history—all of which can be requested in a single GraphQL query. Unlike REST, which might require separate API calls for each piece of information, GraphQL consolidates these into one efficient request.
This reduces the number of requests sent to Shopify’s servers and ensures you get precisely the data needed to process returns. GraphQL’s flexibility allows you to easily track the various stages of a return and manage the entire process seamlessly, making it the optimal solution for handling product returns efficiently.
What Is ReturnStatus in Shopify API GraphQL?
The ReturnStatus field is a critical component of Shopify’s GraphQL Admin API that provides a comprehensive overview of a return’s current state. The feature allows merchants to track the progress of a product return and take appropriate actions.
ReturnStatus is an enum type in the GraphQL schema that represents the various stages a return can go through in its lifecycle. These statuses help merchants and developers understand precisely where a return is in the process, from when a customer initiates a return request to when the return is completed or canceled.
But wait, what is enum in GraphQL?
In the GraphQL Admin API, an enum (short for “enumeration”) is a special data type representing a predefined list of possible values. Enums are used to constrain a field to return only one option from a set of defined values. This ensures the field always returns a valid value from the specified list. ReturnStatus is one of over 70 enums that control the data flow between your store and Shopify’s servers.
How does the ReturnStatus enum work?
ReturnStatus defines the possible states in which a product return can be made. In other words, it constrains the status field of a return to a specific set of values, ensuring that every return in the system has a valid and consistent status.
This enum has five valid values, including:
- REQUESTED: This status indicates that a customer has initiated a return request. It's the starting point of the return process and signifies that the return has been submitted but not yet reviewed or processed.
- OPEN: This value indicates that the return is currently in progress. The merchant is actively processing the return, which might involve inspecting the returned item or arranging a refund or replacement.
- CLOSED: Once the return process has been completed and the necessary actions (like issuing a refund or sending a replacement) have been finalized, the status changes to Closed. This indicates that the return is fully resolved.
- DECLINED: If the merchant denies the return request, possibly due to policy reasons or ineligibility, it is marked as Declined. This status helps merchants track return requests that are not accepted.
- CANCELED: The API returns this value when the return process is canceled before it reaches completion. It could be due to various reasons, such as a change in the customer's decision or other issues preventing the return.
Any field in the API that returns a ReturnStatus can only have one of these five predefined values, preventing invalid or inconsistent statuses from being assigned to returns.
How ReturnStatus Makes Your Life Easier
The ReturnStatus enum in Shopify’s GraphQL Admin API is more than just a technical feature—it’s a powerful tool that can significantly streamline your return management process and enhance your customers’ experience. It achieves this in the following ways:
1. Improving communication
The functionality lets merchants keep customers in the loop throughout the return process. How does this happen?
- CLEAR STATUS UPDATES: With five distinct statuses, you can provide clear, specific updates to your customers about where their return stands at any given moment. This level of transparency can significantly reduce customer anxiety and the number of "Where is my return?" inquiries you receive.
- AUTOMATED NOTIFICATIONS: You can set up automated email or SMS notifications that trigger when a return's status changes. For example: When the status changes to OPEN, send a message: "We've received your return request and are processing it." When it changes to CLOSED, notify the customer: "Your return has been completed. Expect your refund within 3-5 business days."
- PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION: Instead of waiting for customers to ask questions, you can use the ReturnStatus to communicate proactively. If a return has been in the OPEN status for an extended period, you might message the customer that you're still working on it.
Clear communication through these automated status updates can build trust and improve customer satisfaction. Instead of customers having to reach out to inquire about the status of their return, the ReturnStatus enum ensures they are always in the loop, reducing the likelihood of miscommunication.
2. Managing returns efficiently
Still, ReturnStatus enables you to manage returns more efficiently on the merchant side. The feature provides a structured workflow with predefined statuses and creates a clear roadmap for handling returns from start to finish.
This standardized approach brings numerous benefits to your operations. For starters, it allows for quick status identification, giving you an instant snapshot of where any return stands. This visibility is critical for prioritizing tasks and managing your workload effectively. You can quickly sort and filter returns based on their status, allowing you to focus on the most pressing issues or allocate resources where needed most.
You can also assign different team members to handle specific stages of the return process, clearly delineating responsibilities and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. This division of labor can significantly speed up the return process, leading to faster resolutions and happier customers.
ReturnStatus also helps identify bottlenecks in the return process. For example, you may notice many returns stuck in a particular status, which signals that this stage of the process might need attention or additional resources. This insight allows you to continually refine and improve your return management strategy.
ReturnStatus’s most significant benefit manifests in integration with other systems. Suppose you use product information management (PIM) software, such as Catsy’s PIM, to manage product details for your Shopify store. You can leverage the ReturnStatus feature to create a seamless inventory management process.
When a return moves to the CLOSED status in Shopify, an update in the PIM platform is automatically triggered. The platform then adjusts the inventory count for the returned item, updates any relevant product attributes (such as condition or quality if it’s a refurbished item), and even flags the product for inspection if necessary. This integration ensures that:
- Inventory levels are always accurate across all sales channels
- Returned items are adequately accounted for and managed
- The merchant has up-to-date information for restocking or reordering decisions
For instance, if a customer returns a heavy-duty cordless drill and the return status changes to CLOSED, Catsy’s PIM could automatically:
- Increase the inventory count for that specific product variant
- Update the "Items Returned" metric for that product
- PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION: Instead of waiting for customers to ask questions, you can use the ReturnStatus to communicate proactively. If a return has been in the OPEN status for an extended period, you might message the customer that you're still working on it.
3. Making smarter business decisions
Besides managing returns, ReturnStatus is a valuable data source that can drive smarter business decisions, especially regarding inventory management. You can analyze return statuses and patterns to obtain insights that guide more accurate stock predictions, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction.
How return statuses affect stock levels
Each change in a return’s status provides essential information about the inventory. For example, when a return moves to the REQUESTED status, it signals a potential increase in the stock level. However, the CLOSED status confirms that the item is back in inventory and available for resale (assuming it’s in resalable condition).
Closely monitoring these status changes allows you to maintain a more accurate real-time picture of your inventory. This is particularly valuable for high-turnover items or during busy seasons when stock levels fluctuate rapidly. For instance, if you see a spike in REQUESTED returns for a particular product right after a holiday season, you can anticipate an influx of that item and adjust your purchasing plans accordingly.
Predicting inventory needs based on return patterns
Analyzing return statuses over time can reveal patterns that help predict future inventory needs. For example, suppose you notice a high percentage of returns for a specific product moving from REQUESTED to CLOSED (indicating completed returns). In that case, it might suggest product quality or description issues. This insight could lead you to improve the product, update its description, or switch suppliers.
Also, seasonal patterns in return statuses can help you prepare for future inventory needs. If, for example, you see a surge in REQUESTED and OPEN statuses for heavy-duty generators in late autumn, you can anticipate having more stock available for the next winter season, potentially reducing your need to purchase as much new inventory.
The DECLINED to CLOSED returns ratio can provide insights into your return policy’s effectiveness. Many DECLINED returns might indicate a need to clarify your return policy to reduce customer frustration and processing costs.
Reducing overstock and stockouts with return insights
You can leverage return status data to fine-tune inventory levels to reduce overstock and stockout situations. For example, suppose you notice a product like an impact driver frequently goes to CLOSED status due to power output issues. In that case, you might adjust your stock levels for different models, ordering more of the higher-powered versions that customers tend to keep and fewer of the less powerful ones often returned.
Products with a high rate of CANCELED returns (where customers initiate but don’t complete the return) might be candidates for overstocking slightly, as these items are likely to remain sold despite initial customer hesitation. On the other hand, items with consistently low return rates (rarely moving beyond REQUESTED status) might be safer to stock in larger quantities, reducing the risk of stockouts. Conversely, products with high rates of CLOSED returns might require more conservative stocking to avoid tying up capital in items likely to come back.
How Catsy Helps you Manage your Shopify Store Product Content
PIM software like Catsy’s PIM can significantly enhance how merchants manage product content in their Shopify store, especially when handling returns. The solution centralizes and organizes all product details, ensuring that product data remains accurate and up-to-date throughout the return process.
Catsy’s PIM can help in the following ways:
- It provides a single source of truth for product data, ensuring that descriptions, specifications, and return policies are consistently accurate, even when products are returned and restocked.
- It allows for detailed product attributes, reducing the likelihood of returns due to misunderstandings. The solution can quickly update attributes based on return reasons (e.g., adjusting the "weight" attribute if tools are frequently returned for being too heavy).
- The platform tracks changes to product descriptions over time, helping to correlate changes in product information with changes in return rates.
- Users can link return reasons from Shopify to specific product attributes in the PIM platform, enabling quick identification of product information gaps that lead to returns.
- With integration into the Shopify platform, Catsy's PIM synchronizes inventory levels and product details, helping you track returns while ensuring that product information is always complete.
Catsy's PIM provides a robust platform for managing product content. It helps merchants navigate the return process while maintaining high standards for product information and customer satisfaction.
Final Thoughts
With the average return rate for e-commerce products at 18.1%, merchants must be well-prepared to handle returns effectively. This significant percentage underscores the importance of robust systems in managing the return process.
Thankfully, Shopify has risen to this challenge by streamlining the return process through the ReturnStatus enum in their GraphQL Admin API. This powerful feature provides merchants with a structured, consistent way to track and manage returns throughout their lifecycle.
But the story doesn’t end with Shopify’s built-in tools. Merchants can further enhance their return efficiency by leveraging additional solutions like PIM software. PIM software enables merchants to process returns more efficiently and resolve customer issues without compromising product content quality.
As e-commerce continues to evolve, so too will the tools and strategies for managing returns. But with the solid foundation provided by Shopify’s ReturnStatus and the added capabilities of PIM software, merchants are well-equipped to handle whatever challenges the future may bring.
FAQs
It provides a comprehensive overview of a return’s current state, allowing merchants to track its progress and take appropriate actions. Think of ReturnStatus as a status update for returns. It informs you about the stage at which a product is in the return process, whether it’s been requested, is in progress, or has been completed.
It simplifies return management by categorizing returns into distinct stages. This allows merchants to track and automate returns, ensuring each return follows a structured workflow.
The critical difference between Shopify’s GraphQL API and REST API is how they handle data. GraphQL allows clients to request only the specific data they need in a single query, making it more efficient, especially for complex operations like handling product returns. In contrast, the REST architecture sends predefined data sets and often requires multiple requests to gather all needed information. GraphQL is particularly well-suited for managing returns as it can retrieve all necessary details about a return in one request.
- Leverage the full range of ReturnStatus values: Use all available ReturnStatus values to track returns’ progress accurately.
- Update ReturnStatus regularly: Ensure that the ReturnStatus field is updated whenever a return’s status changes.
- Combine ReturnStatus with other fields: Use ReturnStatus in conjunction with other fields, such as refund amount and reason for return, to get a complete picture of the return process.
Yes. Product Information Management (PIM) software can significantly enhance product return management. It centralizes product information, streamlines data updates, and maintains data quality, which improves the overall return process and customer experience.
