Receive Returned Goods
Receiving is the step that moves stock, so it is the step to be careful about.
Record what actually turned up, in what condition, and into which location, because everything downstream reads those three answers.
Receive it
Open the authorised return
From the returns list, or from the original invoice.
Record the quantity that arrived
What actually turned up, which is not always what was authorised.
Choose the location
Where the units go back to. Stock increases at this point, not before.
Record the condition
Resaleable goods return to sellable stock. Damaged goods can be received without becoming available again.
Save
Stock moves. The return is now ready to credit.
Partial and awkward receipts
| Case | How to handle it |
|---|---|
| Some units back, rest kept | Receive only the returned quantity. The credit covers those units. |
| Goods damaged in transit | Receive as damaged. Stock does not become sellable but the customer is still credited. |
| Wrong item sent back | Receive it against the correct item line, or reject the return. |
| Nothing ever arrives | Leave the return authorised, or cancel it. Do not receive goods you do not have. |
| More arrives than authorised | Receive up to the authorised quantity. Raise a second return for the rest. |
What it does to your stock
Units come back at the cost they left, following the item's valuation method. That is what makes the margin on the original sale reverse cleanly rather than at a price that has moved since. Damaged receipts increase stock on hand without increasing available stock, which is the distinction that keeps your fulfilment queue honest.