How does it work?

What happens when a product fails in the field? Or if the customer returns it because it doesn’t quite meet his/her expectations? What happens if there is a manufacturing defect and products sold have to be fixed or modified? For most people, the idea of returning a product they have purchased brings to mind images of waiting in long lines at a department store or post office, hours on the phone arguing with customer services reps, or worse yet, being stuck with something that doesn't work. The way a manufacturer or retailer handles product returns can be either a nightmare or an opportunity to increase customer satisfaction, achieve greater cost reductions, or simply preserve the environment.

Manufacturers and Sellers of goods are quickly realizing that their work is unfinished until their customers are happy, and the bottom line looks good. The business of returns starts when a customer, retailer, dealer or manufacturer finds something wrong with a product (outdated, spoiled, broken or flawed). This single fact should initiate a response that through appropriate automation takes care of blame, return transport, physical processing and eventual redistribution or recycling and finally compensation to the customer. Enter reverse logistics-the process of pushing returns back through the pipeline in an effective and cost-efficient manner and, when possible, recovering some of the products' value.

Simply, "reverse logistics" is all activity associated with a product/service after the point of sale, the ultimate goal to optimize or make more efficient aftermarket activity, thus saving money. Types of activity common with reverse logistics includes: logistics, warehousing, repair, refurbishment, recycling, e-waste, after market call center support, reverse fulfillment, field service and many others.

Contact us for further information at bizdevelopment@blueraven.com