Running a business with customers across the globe can be a difficult proposition, especially when you’re trying to improve your returns processing to provide even better service.
If more than a few of your regular shoppers are based in the U.S, it may be time to consider partnering with an American 3rd party logistics company for your reverse logistics handling.
A Few Reasons to Outsource
When you outsource your returns to a company that’s more local to your customers, you’ll soon find that you’re saving money, time and hassle.
Here are just a few reasons to give it a try:
Improved customer experience. Customers hate returning things, but when you make the reverse logistics process easy and responsive, they’re much happier. Instead of a U.S.-based customer sending their return to your non-U.S. facility, waiting weeks for it to arrive, clear customs and then be credited to their account, using a U.S.-based facility for the returns process means that customer can easily exchange or return an item in about a week. That speed means happier customers and more frequent purchases.
Fewer outdated returns. Because returns arrive at your U.S.-based reverse logistics facility much faster, you don’t have to worry that you’ll have a lot of useless return inventory. Instead of having to discount or discard those returns that come from your American customers, you can put them back for sale right away, saving your bottom line.
Lower shipping costs. Shipping products from America to your home facility can be costly and time-consuming. Having to pay postage both ways when the returned product is sold to another American is even worse. You can shave your postage budget rail-thin by keeping a second facility with products intended for your U.S. sales and reverse logistics under one roof. Then, instead of constantly sending boxes across the ocean, you only need to send a single shipment when inventory is low.
Finding an American 3PL Partner
It can be challenging to find an American 3PL partner when you’re based in another country, but referrals can help. Once you’ve researched some companies you think would be good matches, talk to your business associates about their experiences working with foreign companies.
Whether they had a bad experience or a good one, the things your associates learned while doing business with American 3PLs can better inform your decision. After all, a 3PL partnership can be a very profitable proposition when done right, or it can cost you plenty in frustration and inconvenience.
If you can get a referral to a particular company, so much the better. Just make sure you check out the facilities in person and are certain they can provide the services your company requires. 3PLs should always be flexible to the needs of their customers, especially when it comes to returns.
