FAQ
Does ReturnDesk automatically process refunds?
No. Approving a request tells the customer the return is accepted. Issue the refund from the WooCommerce order screen - gateways that support automatic refunds (such as Stripe and PayPal) then refund the customer directly. ReturnDesk Pro adds store credit and a Refund shortcut on approved requests.
Do customers need an account to request a return?
No. Logged-in customers request returns from My Account → Orders → View. Guests can use the Return Center page created with the [returndesk_portal] shortcode - they find their order with the order number and billing email.
Can customers cancel their own requests?
Yes, while the request is pending - from My Account or from the Return Center.
Is the return window calculated from the order date or the delivery date?
From the date the order was completed. If it was never completed, from the date it was paid, and otherwise from the date it was created.
Can customers attach photos of damaged items?
Yes. Customers can attach JPG, PNG, WebP or PDF files to a request. You see them in the request details on the Requests tab.
Can customers return only some items from an order?
Not in the free version - a request covers all eligible items in the order. Partial returns are a ReturnDesk Pro feature.
Can I restrict returns to specific products or categories?
Not in the free version, which applies the same rules to all products (you can block sale items). Excluded products and categories are a Pro feature.
Can I add custom return statuses?
No. Both ReturnDesk and ReturnDesk Pro use four statuses: pending, approved, rejected and cancelled.
What happens to requests if I deactivate or delete the plugin?
Requests and settings are kept in the database when you deactivate or delete ReturnDesk, so they're still there if you reinstall it.