Locations & Warehouses
Configure and manage return locations and warehouse operations.
4 min read
Last updated 31 December 2024
ReturnMate supports multiple return locations, allowing you to route returns to the appropriate facility based on various criteria.
Location Types
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Warehouse | Primary return processing facility |
| Distribution Centre | High-volume receiving hub |
| Store | Retail location accepting returns |
| Repair Centre | Specialised repair facility |
| Drop-off Point | Third-party collection location |
Adding Locations
1
Access Location Settings
Go to Settings → Locations → Add Location
2
Enter Details
Fill in location information:
- Name
- Address
- Contact details
- Operating hours
3
Set Location Type
Choose the appropriate location type.
4
Configure Capabilities
Define what this location can handle:
- Standard returns
- Warranty repairs
- Specific product categories
5
Set Up Routing
Configure when returns go to this location.
Location Details
Required Information
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Location Name | Internal identifier |
| Company Name | Name on shipping labels |
| Street Address | Physical location |
| City/State/Postcode | Full address |
| Country | Operating country |
| Phone | Contact number |
| Location email |
Optional Information
- Operating hours
- Capacity limits
- Special instructions
- Manager contact
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Location Configuration
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Location Routing
Routing Rules
Route returns based on:
Geographic:
- Customer postcode
- State/region
- Distance to location
Product-Based:
- Product category
- SKU patterns
- Product tags
Return Type:
- Standard returns
- Warranty claims
- Repairs
- Exchanges
Rule Configuration
- Go to Settings → Locations → Routing
- Click Add Rule
- Define conditions:
- If [condition] → Route to [location]
- Set priority order
- Save rules
Example Rules
Rule 1: If Product Category = "Electronics" → Tech Repair Centre
Rule 2: If Customer State = "WA" → Perth Warehouse
Rule 3: If Return Type = "Warranty" → Central Warehouse
Default: Sydney Warehouse
Primary Location
Setting Primary
Your primary location is the default destination:
- Go to Settings → Locations
- Click on a location
- Enable Set as Primary
- Confirm change
When Primary is Used
- No routing rules match
- Simple return configurations
- New stores before rules are set
Location Capacity
Capacity Management
Set capacity limits:
- Maximum returns per day
- Maximum concurrent returns
- Overflow routing
Overflow Handling
When capacity is reached:
- System detects limit approaching
- New returns route to overflow location
- Staff receives notification
- Original location resumes when capacity frees
Warehouse Operations
Receiving Setup
Configure receiving for each location:
- Required receiving steps
- Inspection requirements
- Photo documentation needs
- Barcode scanning setup
Staff Assignment
Assign team members to locations:
- Edit team member profile
- Select assigned locations
- Team member sees only their locations
Multiple Warehouses
Use Cases
Multiple warehouses work well for:
- Regional distribution
- Product specialisation
- Seasonal overflow
- Disaster recovery
Sync Considerations
- Inventory visibility across locations
- Transfer between locations
- Consolidated reporting
Location Analytics
Per-Location Metrics
Track performance by location:
- Returns received
- Processing time
- Capacity utilisation
- SLA compliance
Comparison Views
Compare locations:
- Volume trends
- Processing efficiency
- Cost analysis
- Staff performance
Best Practices
- Validate all addresses before going live
- Set realistic capacity limits
- Configure routing rules for efficiency
- Test routing with sample returns
- Monitor capacity utilisation
- Review routing effectiveness quarterly
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