Return Address Setup
Configure your return shipping address and manage multiple locations.
Your return address is where customers send returned items. Configuring this correctly ensures packages arrive at the right location and shipping labels are generated accurately.
Setting Up Your Primary Return Address
Navigate to Settings → Locations in ReturnMate to manage your return addresses.
Required Information
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Location Name | Internal identifier | Main Warehouse |
| Company Name | Name on shipping labels | Your Business Pty Ltd |
| Street Address | Physical address line 1 | 123 Commerce Street |
| Address Line 2 | Suite/Unit (optional) | Unit 5 |
| City/Suburb | City or suburb | Melbourne |
| State | State/Territory | VIC |
| Postcode | Postal code | 3000 |
| Country | Operating country | Australia |
| Phone | Contact number | +61 3 9000 1234 |
Ensure your address is correct and matches your carrier account settings. Mismatched addresses can cause label generation failures.
Address Validation
ReturnMate validates addresses against carrier databases to ensure deliverability. If validation fails, you'll see:
- ⚠ Warning - Address may have issues but can be used
- ❌ Error - Address cannot be validated and needs correction
Common validation issues:
- Incorrect postcode for suburb
- Missing unit/suite number
- Abbreviated street types (use "Street" not "St")
- PO Box addresses (not supported by all carriers)
Multiple Return Locations
If you have multiple warehouses or stores, you can add additional return locations:
Add New Location
Go to Settings → Locations and click Add Location.
Enter Location Details
Fill in the address information for the new location.
Set Location Type
Choose the location type:
- Warehouse - Primary returns processing facility
- Store - Retail location accepting returns
- Drop-off Point - Third-party collection point
Configure Routing
Set up when returns should be directed to this location:
- By customer postcode region
- By product category
- By return reason
- As overflow/backup location
Location Routing Rules
For businesses with multiple locations, you can automatically route returns based on rules:
Geographic Routing
Route returns to the nearest facility:
NSW/ACT → Sydney Warehouse
VIC/TAS → Melbourne Warehouse
QLD → Brisbane Warehouse
WA/SA/NT → Melbourne Warehouse (default)
Product-Based Routing
Route specific products to specialised facilities:
- Electronics → Tech repair centre
- Clothing → Fashion warehouse
- Bulky items → Freight depot
Master Returns Location
If you're using the Master Store feature for multi-store setups, configure your central returns hub:
- Go to Settings → Multi-Store
- Enable Master Returns Location
- Select the primary location for centralised processing
See Master Store / Hub Routing for more details.
Business Hours
Optionally configure business hours for each location:
- Used for SLA calculations
- Displayed to customers on the return portal
- Helps with delivery scheduling
Contact Information
Each location can have specific contact details:
- Email - Location-specific contact
- Phone - Direct line for that facility
- Manager - Primary contact person
After configuring your return address, generate a test label to verify the address appears correctly.
Common Issues
Label Shows Wrong Address
If shipping labels display incorrect address information:
- Check the location settings in ReturnMate
- Verify carrier account address settings
- Clear any cached data and regenerate the label
Postcode Not Recognised
If the postcode validation fails:
- Verify the postcode is correct for your suburb
- Check with Australia Post's postcode finder
- Contact support if the issue persists