How Blackcart’s restocking fee feature works

Blackcart gives merchants the option of implementing a restocking fee as part of their Try Before You Buy program policy. Implementing a restocking fee can help reduce return rate and allows merchants to offset some of the overhead costs associated with returns.

How does the restocking fee work? 

There are three different settings tied to the restocking fee feature: 

1. Restocking Fee Policy: This configuration allows you to enable or disable the restocking fee for your Try Before You Buy program

• • No restocking fee: Feature is disabled and no restocking fees will be applied to any order in the event of a return.
  • Flat fee per order: Feature is enabled and a flat restocking fee is charged on an order based on the customer meeting the restocking fee condition.
    
    

2. Restocking Fee Condition:  This configuration determines when the restocking fee is applied to the order. 

• • All Items Returned: The fee is applied if all items (TBYB and paid upfront) in the order are returned.
  • All TBYB Items Returned: The fee is applied if all TBYB items are returned.
  • Any TBYB Item Returned: The fee is applied if any TBYB item in the order is returned.
  • Any Item Returned: The fee is applied if any item (TBYB and paid upfront) in the order is returned.
    
    

3. Restocking Fee Amount: This configuration determines the amount charged to the customer as a restocking fee. It is set at the order level and can be customized, including cents. 

How to enable and update your Restocking Fee Configurations 

1. Log into your Blackcart Merchant Portal Account here.
2. Navigate to the My Store section
3. Click the Edit button in the top right corner of the page 
4. Find the Return & Exchange Configuration tab 
5. Update your Configurations
6. When satisfied, click save 
7. Navigate to the Theme page 
8. Select Publish to push changes to your storefront. 

When your restocking fee is updated, the amount and condition will be automatically updated in your Learn More modal so that it is clearly communicated to your customers

Restocking Fee FAQs

How can I enable or disable a restocking fee for my store?

You can manage your restocking fee settings through your Blackcart Merchant Portal Admin account. Step-by-step instructions can be found here.

What are the different restocking fee policy options available?

You have the option to either have no restocking fee in your program policy or have a restocking fee in your program policy. 

For merchants who choose to have a restocking fee in their policy, the restocking fee is applied at the order-level. Merchants will also need to determine the conditions for which the restocking fee is applied. More about the conditions available can be found here. 

How is the restocking fee calculated for an order?

The restocking fee calculation:  Refund Subtotal + Total Tax Amount - Deposit - Restocking fee amount 

Can I apply different restocking fees for different types of items (e.g., TBYB items vs. regular items)?

Yes. There are 2 conditions that if enabled, require a shopper to pay a restocking fee only if they’re returning TBYB items.

There are currently no conditions in place to customize this fee for a specific SKU/product

Do I need to contact the Blackcart support team to enable or configure the Restocking Fee feature?

No. There's no need. Your Restocking Fee configuration will be available in your Store Details. More details on how to access it here.

What happens to any existing orders if I change my restocking fee policy?

Restocking Fee configurations are saved at the order level. New restocking fee changes will only be applied to orders placed after the update is made. Already placed orders in the system will have the older configuration.

Will non-returnable items be included in the return condition? If there is a non returnable item in the order will the restocking fee charge if all other items are returned?

If a non-returnable item is Physical and Shippable, then they’ll be categorized as “kept” in the return condition. If a non-returnable item is a Digital/Service that’s not shippable, then they will not be included in the restocking logic.

Do exchanges have any effect on the restocking fee condition equation?

Exchange items are not exempt to the restocking fee policy.

How can I track Restocking Fee Revenue?

If a Restocking fee is charged for a particular order, Shopify will show that amount under the net payment line in the Order Admin. Blackcart will refund the value of the item, minus the restocking fee. You will also see that refund value in the return row when pulling reports from Shopify. 

You can also track restocking fee charges through the Order Reconciliation report in the Merchant Portal. Blackcart populates a column for restocking fee amounts and charges.