Editing Return merchandise authorization

{{Short description|Part of product return process}}

A '''return merchandise authorization''' ('''RMA'''), '''return authorization''' ('''RA''') or '''return goods authorization''' ('''RGA''') is a part of the process of returning a product to receive a refund, replacement, or repair to which buyer and seller agree during the product's [[warranty]] period.<ref>Dana Dubbs, “Many (unhappy) Returns”, Operations & Fulfillment, Vol. 9, No. 3, March 2001.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/return-merchandise-authorization-RMA|title=What is return merchandise authorization (RMA)? - Definition from WhatIs.com|publisher=}}</ref>

== Reverse logistics ==
The issuance of an RMA/RGA is a key gatekeeping point in the [[reverse logistics]] cycle, providing the vendor with a final opportunity to diagnose and correct the customer's problem with the product. The reasons for a product return vary and include improper installation by the customer or inability to configure the product. RMA/RGA comes before the customer permanently relinquishes ownership of the product to the manufacturer, commonly referred to as a return. A return is costly for the vendor and inconvenient for the customer; any return that can be prevented benefits both parties.

Returned merchandise requires management by the manufacturer after the return. The product has a second life cycle after the return. An important aspect of RMA management is learning from RMA trends to prevent further returns. Depending on what the rules are, the manufacturer may send the customer an advance replacement. RMAs may be minimized in a number of ways. Adding a customer survey capability may prevent RMAs by detecting problems in advance of returns.{{citation needed||date=October 2024}}

Returns are sometimes minimized by reducing transaction errors prior to the merchandise leaving the seller.<ref>“Canon Slashes Chargebacks by Underscoring Accountability”, Chargebacks Solutions Monitor, Vol. 4, No. 4, February 2001, p. 3.</ref> Providing additional information to consumers also reduces returns.<ref>Robert J Bowman, “From Cash to Cash: The Ultimate Supply-Chain Measurement Tool”, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies, Vol. 5, No. 6, June 2001, p. 47.</ref>

== Return to vendor ==
Return to vendor (RTV) is the process where goods are returned to the original [[vendor]] instead of the [[Distribution (marketing)|distributor]]. In many cases the RTV was originally returned to the seller by the end consumer. While RTV transactions usually occur between the seller and the vendor, in some instances the end consumer returns the product directly to the vendor, sidestepping the distributor.<ref name=RTV>{{cite web |url=http://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/emea/dk/frontlines/Collaboration_in_Reverse_Logistics.pdf |last= Daga |first=Ashish |title=Collaboration in Reverse Logistics White Paper |publisher=Wipro Technologies |access-date=March 28, 2014}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Product return]]

== References ==

{{refs}}

[[Category:Contract law]]
[[Category:Computer law]]
[[Category:Product return]]