Manage returned products, packaging, and deposited assets from customers, including their financial and physical impact.
During mobile distribution, customers may be asked to return sales items, damaged products, products nearing their expiration date, empty crates, pallets, tubes, bottles, or other deposit-based assets.
Every returned item must be correctly classified as a product, packaging, or asset; and accurately reflected in vehicle inventory, customer accounts, deposits, and quality processes.
Types of recovery
Return of resalable product
Damaged or defective product
Incorrect or excess items delivered.
Products that are nearing or have expired
Empty containers, crates, pallets, and transport equipment.
Deposit asset
Materials received for recycling or disposal
Return checks
Original sales or delivery document
Reason for return
Product, lot, series, and quantity
The physical condition of the product
Return authorization and limits
Price and refund method
Photo or customer confirmation
Deposit accounts
Deposit-based packaging given to and returned to customers should be trackable like a current account based on quantity and value. Periodic balances, missing returns, damaged packaging, and deposit differences may be subject to reconciliation with the customer.
Return and separation
When the vehicle returns to the warehouse, salable product, quality control, disposal, repair, and packaging stocks should be directed to separate locations. Uncontrolled mixing of returned products with new sales stock must be prevented.
Manage returns and empty containers not as return loads for the vehicle, but as a separate reverse logistics process with implications for inventory, quality, customer accounts, and sustainability.