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SNC-WF-008 · Free Tier · Returns & Reverse Logistics

Triage Customer Return Requests & Enforce Policy Gates Before Reverse Pickup

SNC-WF-008 · Return Request Intake and Triage Ledger (Free Tier)

A free, self-hosted Python tool that ingests customer return requests, validates them against your store return window and non-returnable category policies, checks for required defect proof, deduplicates repeat claims, and applies reverse freight economics to recommend either carrier reverse pickup, supervisor review, or instant store credit.

PRODUCT SUMMARY AT A GLANCESNC-WF-008
Primary OutcomeEvaluates return requests against store policy windows, excludes final-sale categories, checks defect photo proof, and optimizes reverse freight economics.
How It RunsSelf-Hosted Python 3.8+ (Runs on your own computer or server)
Setup ExpectationsFree to self-host on your own hardware. Free workflows never run on Sanocea infrastructure. Optional assisted setup: ₹500 one-time.
Verification StatusCode & Logic Tested: Tested on clean, out-of-window, defective, and high-value return datasets with 100% test pass rate
The 3-Step Process in Simple English
1. Input

Batch return requests export CSV from your store or support portal.

2. Transformation

Evaluates requests against return windows, filters non-returnable categories, checks defect photo proof, deduplicates repeated claims, and calculates reverse shipping economics.

3. Output

Segregated CSVs for approved pickups, supervisor review, and polite policy rejection notices.

Free to self-host. Want Sanocea to set it up? ₹500 one-time.

Setup scope covers installation on customer-controlled infrastructure, configuration of authorised integrations, functional testing and handover.

Hosting, third-party charges and ongoing support are excluded unless separately agreed. Free workflows must never run on Sanocea-hosted infrastructure.

Direct Download or Assisted Setup: Download the free toolkit below, or contact engineering on WhatsApp for ₹500 assisted setup on your machine.
01 · The Everyday Problem

What Goes Wrong in an Ordinary Working Day

E-commerce brands waste thousands in courier reverse pickup charges on expired returns, non-returnable merchandise, and duplicate requests, while unverified defect claims trigger friction and merchant-customer disputes.

02 · Why It Matters

The Impact on Your Business & Customers

Reverse pickup freight costs ₹120 to ₹180 per parcel regardless of whether the return is legitimate. Enforcing policy gates before generating carrier reverse labels eliminates invalid freight waste and stops inventory bleed.

03 · The Solution

What This Tool Does & What Changes for You

Reads return requests from CSV or JSON, evaluates eligibility, deduplicates against past requests, flags defect claims lacking photo proof, and exports segregated CSVs for approved pickups, supervisor review, and policy rejections.

What Changes in Practice:

Your support and warehouse teams operate from a clean triage ledger instead of chaotic customer inboxes. Reverse pickups are only generated for policy-compliant returns.

Real-World Transformation

Concrete Before & After Example (Actual Code Output)

Demonstrates how incoming return claims are evaluated and routed to prevent wasteful reverse freight.

INPUT: Unscreened Return Request in Intake QueueInput File
Order: ORD-9043\nSKU: PHONE-CASE-CLR\nValue: ₹149.00\nCategory: Accessories\nReason: Ordered by mistake\nDays Since Delivery: 4
OUTPUT: Evaluated Decision & Reverse Logistics Triagenormalized_inventory.csv
Status: KEEP_ITEM_REFUND\nAction: ISSUE_STORE_CREDIT_WITHOUT_PICKUP\nReverse Freight Saved: ₹120.00\nFlag: REVERSE_FREIGHT_UNECONOMICAL

Reverse pickup prevented. ₹120 reverse courier charge saved; customer given instant store credit.

What Changed vs. What Remained Unchanged

✓ What Changed (Normalized):
  • Automatically blocked out-of-window requests past 7 days
  • Quarantined defect claims without photographic proof into a review queue
  • Eliminated wasteful reverse pickups on low-value items below freight cost
ℹ What Remained Unchanged:
  • Original return export files remain untouched on your machine
  • Zero customer PII transmitted across external networks
04 · Prerequisites

What You Need Before Getting Started

  • Return request export CSV (from Shopify, Zendesk, Typeform, or custom portal).
  • Python 3.8+ on any computer or server.

Technical Setup Guidance:

05 · Setup Effort

Setup Difficulty & Expected Time

Step-by-Step Run Instructions (Zero-Code Terminal Run)

  1. Download and extract snc-wf-008-return-intake-ledger.zip.
  2. Place your return requests in returns.csv.
  3. Run: python3 returns_triage.py triage returns.csv --approved-out approved.csv --review-out review.csv --rejected-out rejected.csv.
  4. Upload approved.csv to your reverse courier portal (e.g. Shiprocket Returns).
06 · Package Contents

What You Receive in the Download Archive

Every deliverable is clean, self-contained, and ready for immediate deployment. You receive the complete files, configuration templates, setup guides, and automated tests.

File NameDeliverable Description
returns_triage.pyStandalone Python 3.8+ return request intake and triage engine
README.mdSetup guide, policy rules, and operational boundaries
SETUP.mdQuickstart execution and cron scheduling guide
COSTS.mdZero-cost operating disclosure
LICENSING.mdSanocea Open Workflow License (MIT Compatible)
fixtures/returns_clean.csvBenchmark policy-compliant return requests dataset
fixtures/returns_rejected.csvBenchmark out-of-window and non-returnable dataset
fixtures/returns_manual_review.csvBenchmark high-value and missing-proof dataset
fixtures/sample_returns.csv10-request comprehensive mixed benchmark dataset
tests/test_returns_triage.pyAutomated test suite verifying policy gates and ledger exports
07 · Technical Details & Verification

Architecture Diagram & Tested Capabilities

For technical teams or developers assisting your business, below is the visual execution architecture and automated verification breakdown:

Triage Customer Return Requests & Enforce Policy Gates Before Reverse Pickup Architecture Pipeline Diagram
⚡Deterministic execution flow: runs on your own compute without telemetry tracking.

Verification Disclosure

Pure Python 3.8+ standard library script. Return window enforcement, category exclusions, evidence gates, reverse shipping economics, duplicate suppression, and multi-tier CSV export. 9/9 tests passing.

Deterministic Return Window Gates

Enforces strict 7-day remorse and 10-day defect return windows from confirmed delivery.

Fully Tested

Non-Returnable Category Guard

Automatically rejects return requests on innerwear, cosmetics, and clearance items.

Fully Tested

Defect Photographic Evidence Check

Requires photo proof for damage/defect claims before reverse pickup authorization.

Fully Tested

Reverse Logistics Cost Optimization

Recommends Keep Item & Store Credit for low-value items (≤₹200) to avoid reverse freight loss.

Fully Tested

Duplicate Request Suppression

Deduplicates repeat claims for the same order and SKU within the intake batch.

Fully Tested
08 · Operational Disclosures

Documented Limitations & Third-Party Costs

We believe in complete transparency. Review the documented technical boundaries and external service fee breakdown below prior to obtaining the package:

⚠️Documented Boundaries & Considerations

  • Deterministic Policy Rules: Evaluates eligibility against store policy configuration; does NOT physically inspect returned goods.
  • Customer-Controlled Infrastructure: Runs locally on your machine or server; does not transmit order data to Sanocea.
  • Offline Decision Engine: Runs offline without querying paid third-party APIs.
ComponentEstimated CostDetails & Free Tier Allowances
Return Request Intake & Triage Toolkit₹0 (Free to self-host)Download full source code and self-host
Optional Assisted Setup₹500 one-timeAssisted installation, environment setup, and handover
Third-Party Services₹0 additionalRuns offline with zero external API fees
System Compatibility

Platform Compatibility & Technical Specifications

Operating System
Linux, macOS, Windows
Runtime / Python
Python 3.8+
Supported Platforms
Shopify, WooCommerce, Custom Returns Portals
Required Inputs
  • Returns CSV/JSON containing request ID, order ID, SKU, customer phone, value, category, reason, and delivery date
Generated Outputs
  • approved_pickups.csv containing validated returns ready for courier reverse pickup
  • review_queue.csv containing high-value items or claims lacking photo proof
  • rejected_requests.csv containing out-of-window or excluded items with rejection reasons
Free Self-Hosted SoftwareInstant Download · Optional ₹500 Setup

Download or Set Up SNC-WF-008

Receive the complete distributable archive containing returns_triage.py, step-by-step setup guides, mock fixtures, and automated test suites.

Free to self-host. Want Sanocea to set it up? ₹500 one-time.

Setup scope covers installation on customer-controlled infrastructure, configuration of authorised integrations, functional testing and handover.

Hosting, third-party charges and ongoing support are excluded unless separately agreed. Free workflows must never run on Sanocea-hosted infrastructure.

Download Free Package (.zip)Chat on WhatsAppWe reply within 2 business days (Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM IST)
Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tool physically inspect the returned merchandise?

No. This utility performs pre-pickup policy and data gatekeeping on customer return claims. It validates that the claim complies with your store return policy before spending money on reverse courier pickups.

How does the "Keep Item" recommendation save money?

Reverse pickup freight typically costs ₹120 to ₹180 in India. If a customer requests a return for a ₹149 phone case, paying ₹120 for reverse shipping yields an immediate net loss. Recommending store credit without return pickup saves reverse freight while keeping the customer happy.

Can I configure the return window days for my store?

Yes. The default return window (7 days for remorse, 10 days for defects) and all review thresholds can be customized via command-line flags (--window-days) to match your store policy.

Operational Field Guide & Research

Return Request Intake: Policy Gates, Defect Verification, and Reverse Logistics Triage

How e-commerce operators evaluate customer return requests, enforce return window policies, verify defect evidence, and prevent wasteful reverse shipping fees.

Read Field Guide on Sanocea Insights →
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