This article lists the return outcomes to test before you go live with Swap Returns V2, and what to check in Swap and Shopify for each one.
Outcomes to test
Test each outcome you offer your customers:
- Refund: the customer receives money back to their original payment method.
- Gift card: Swap creates a Shopify gift card for the customer.
- Shopify store credit: Swap adds credit to the customer's Shopify account.
- Variant exchange: the customer exchanges for another variant of the same product.
- Exchange for a different product: the customer exchanges for a different product.
- Exchange for a higher-value item: the customer exchanges for a more expensive product and pays the difference.
For each test, submit a return through your Returns Portal, choose the outcome, then process the return in the Swap dashboard.
Refund
Check
- The refund appears on the original order in Shopify.
- The refund goes back to the original payment method.
- The refund amount matches the value of the returned item, less any fees you charge.
- The return status in Swap changes to Completed.
See Processing a Refund (Returns V2).
Gift card
Gift cards need Enable shop later via gift cards turned on in Returns → Settings → Discounts & Credit.
Check
- A gift card is created in Shopify, under Gift cards.
- The gift card value matches the return value, plus any bonus you have set.
- The customer receives their gift card email. If they don't, see How to make sure gift cards reach your customers (Returns V2).
- The return status in Swap changes to Completed.
Shopify store credit
Shopify store credit needs Enable store credit turned on in Returns → Settings → Discounts & Credit, and store credit set up in Shopify. See How to refund to Shopify store credit (Returns V2) for the prerequisites.
Check
- The credit is added to the customer's account balance in Shopify.
- The customer can use the credit at checkout.
- The return status in Swap changes to Completed.
Exchanges
Exchange tests confirm that the exchange item, pricing and inventory are handled correctly.
How an exchange appears in Shopify depends on your setup:
- With the Shopify Returns and Exchange API integration, the exchange item is added to the original order. No separate order is created. See Understanding Swap's integration with Shopify's Returns and Exchange API (Returns V2).
- Without it, Swap creates a new exchange order in Shopify, structured according to your accounting type. See Understanding accounting types (Returns V2).
Variant exchange
Example: size S to size M.
Check
- The exchange item appears in Shopify as described above, with the correct variant.
- If the new variant has a different price, the price follows your Exchange calculation method in Returns → Settings → Discounts & Credit. See Understanding equal exchanges (Returns V2).
- Inventory updates for both the returned and the exchange item.
- The customer receives an email about their exchange.
Exchange for a different product
Example: a T-shirt for a dress.
Check
- The exchange item appears in Shopify with the correct product.
- Any price difference is charged or refunded correctly.
- Inventory updates for both the returned and the exchange item.
Exchange for a higher-value item
Example: a £50 item for an £80 item.
Check
- The customer is asked to pay the £30 difference in the Returns Portal.
- The additional payment is taken successfully.
- With the Shopify Returns and Exchange API integration, the original order shows Paid once the difference is collected.
- Without it, the exchange order matches the structure for your accounting type in Understanding accounting types (Returns V2).
Checks for every test
In Swap
- The return moves through each status and ends at Completed.
- The RMA shows the outcome the customer chose.
- For exchanges, the exchange item is recorded on the RMA.
In Shopify
- The refund, gift card or store credit is recorded on the order or customer.
- The order timeline shows the return activity.
- Inventory is adjusted if you restocked the item.
- Payments and any additional payment are recorded correctly.