Overview: Returning Items

On this page:

• Initiating a Return
• Shipping Return Items
• Applying the Credit to Your Purchase Order
• Noting the Return in iProcurement

Initiating a Return

When you find out that you need to return an item, you should contact the supplier’s customer service department to initiate the return.

• For return of items ordered through SmartMart, see Resources & Job Aids: SmartMart Supplier Contacts.
• For return of items ordered with a Rapid Purchase Order, consult your records for the supplier's contact information.
• For return of items ordered with a Standard Purchase Order, contact the buyer in the Purchasing and Contracts department.

You should be aware that:

• Some suppliers charge a restocking fee of as much as 20%.
• You may be responsible for the return shipping charges.
• Suppliers usually only accept returns within 15 or 30 days of your receipt of the product.
• Certain items (radioactives, chemicals, refrigerated or frozen products) may not be returnable.
• For software licensing, you may be required to fill out and sign a form guaranteeing that you will not use the product.
• In some cases, a box which has been opened, and can therefore no longer be sold as a new product, will not be returnable.

Shipping Return Items

In most cases, you will be expected to pay for any return shipping charges. Exceptions are:

• If the return is due to a vendor error
• If the supplier has their own delivery service

Applying the Credit to Your Purchase Order

The supplier will issue a credit to offset the original invoice.

Your order must not be cancelled. In order to apply the credit, the order must remain open.

If you are returning the item and not receiving a replacement on the same purchase order, you can suppress any remaining commitment.

Noting the Return in iProcurement

Making note of the return of the item in iProcurement is optional. For instructions, please see Quick Steps: Receive / Return Goods in iProcurement.