Store Credit

What is Store Credit?

Store Credit is a refund resolution method that allows you to issue refunds as credit that customers can use for future purchases in your store.

• Retain revenue by keeping funds in your store ecosystem
• Provide customers flexibility for future purchases
• Offer bonus credit to incentivize store credit over cash refunds
• Seamlessly integrated with Shopify's native store credit system
• Automatic customer notifications when credit is issued
• Easy for customers to apply at checkout

Step 1: Enable Store Credit in Returndotai

Configure store credit settings in Returndotai Returns & Exchanges:

1. 1Go to Settings > Reasons
2. 2Find "Refund to Store Credit" option
3. 3Enable the "Refund to Store Credit" toggle
4. 4Add description text (optional) - This text will be shown to customers
5. 5Configure bonus credit amount:
6. 6 • Set to 0 if no bonus is desired
7. 7 • Enter a value (percentage or flat amount) for additional incentive
8. 8Click "Save" to apply changes

Step 2: Enable Store Credit in Shopify

Store credit must be enabled in your Shopify admin to function properly:

1. 1Navigate to Settings > Customer accounts in Shopify admin
2. 2In the "New customer accounts" section, enable the "Store credit" toggle
3. 3Ensure proper staff permissions are set:
4. 4 • Store credit permission
5. 5 • Edit store credit permission

Important: Classic Customer Accounts

If you use classic customer accounts:

1. 1In Shopify admin, go to Settings > Customer accounts > URL
2. 2Copy the URL that gives customers access to new customer accounts
3. 3Provide your customers with this URL
4. 4Let customers know they must log in using this link to use their store credit
5. 5Consider migrating to new customer accounts for better experience

Update Returndotai App Permissions

Important: Returndotai requires specific permissions to issue store credit:

• Write store credit account transactions
• Read store credit account transactions

Permission Update Notification

If you haven't updated permissions yet, Returndotai will notify you to update scope when attempting to issue store credit for a return request.

1. 1You'll see a notification when issuing store credit without proper permissions
2. 2Click the notification to be redirected to permission update page
3. 3Review and approve the requested permissions
4. 4Return to Returndotai to complete the store credit issuance

In Returns Portal (Customer View)

Customers see store credit as an attractive refund option with bonus incentive:

• Store credit appears as a refund resolution option
• Shows total refund value including any bonus credit
• Displays potential bonus amount clearly
• Example: "$50 refund + $5 bonus = $55 store credit"
• Customers can select this option during return submission

Bonus Credit Calculation

If you enable refund to store credit and set up the bonus amount, the customer will receive an additional fee based on the subtotal price.

1. 1Subtotal price is calculated from returned items
2. 2Bonus percentage or flat amount is applied
3. 3Total store credit = Subtotal + Bonus
4. 4Customer sees the complete breakdown before confirming

In Returndotai Admin (Merchant View)

Merchants can easily manage store credit refunds from the Returndotai dashboard:

1. 1View "Refund to store credit" as resolution of return request
2. 2After approving request and issuing store credit successfully:
3. 3 • Returndotai displays "Credit balance" information
4. 4 • Click the credit balance link to view customer store credit in Shopify admin
5. 5 • Track which customers have received store credit
6. 6 • Monitor total store credit issued

In Shopify Admin

View and manage store credit directly in Shopify:

1. 1Go to Customers and select a customer in the Shopify admin
2. 2Find and open the Store credit entry from the list
3. 3 • Look for the entry ending with the same digits generated in Returndotai Returns
4. 4In Store Credit Details, you will see:
5. 5 • Timeline with all changelogs from when store credit was added
6. 6 • Note explaining the issuer (Returndotai Returns)
7. 7 • Credit amount and Balance of total credit for this customer

Using Store Credit at Checkout

When a customer has store credit available and is logged into their customer account on your store:

1. 1Customer adds items to cart and proceeds to checkout
2. 2Store credit value displays at checkout in the "Store credit" section
3. 3Customer can select "Apply store credit" button
4. 4Store credit is used as a payment method
5. 5Remaining balance (if any) can be paid with other payment methods
6. 6Unused store credit remains in the customer's account for future purchases

Viewing Store Credit Balance

Customers can easily check their store credit balance:

1. 1Log into customer account on your store
2. 2Go to Profile section
3. 3Scroll down to "Payment method" section
4. 4View current store credit balance
5. 5See history of store credit transactions (if applicable)

Automatic Email Notifications

Returndotai automatically emails customers when store credit is issued for their returns using the "Store Credit request refunded" template.

1. 1To enable automatic notifications:
2. 2 • Go to Customization > Notifications in Returndotai
3. 3 • Find the "Store Credit request refunded" template
4. 4 • Enable the email template toggle
5. 5 • Customize the email content if desired
6. 6 • Save changes
7. 7Customers will receive notification when:
8. 8 • Store credit is issued for their return
9. 9 • Email includes credit amount and instructions for use

Setting Bonus Amounts

Strategic tips for configuring bonus credit:

• Start with 5-10% bonus to test customer response
• Higher bonuses (15-20%) for higher-value returns
• Consider your profit margins when setting bonuses
• A/B test different bonus amounts to find optimal rate
• Seasonal promotions can use higher bonus percentages
• Monitor how bonus affects store credit vs cash refund choices

Clear Communication

Help customers understand the value of store credit:

• Clearly explain bonus credit benefit in return policy
• Highlight store credit advantages in return portal
• Use descriptive text in store credit option
• Show math: "$50 refund → $55 store credit" for clarity
• Enable and customize email notifications
• Include expiration dates if applicable