Returns in e-commerce are inevitable. How a seller handles them increasingly determines whether it will expand sales on Amazon - or fall into a spiral of losses and negative feedback. 

Marketplace expert David Cikanek, who has been helping brands expand overseas for years, points out: "The best sellers win not by speed of delivery, but by how they handle returns." 

And this is where Expandeco gives retailers an edge. 

Why is a local return address crucial? 

The lack of a local address means that Amazon can automatically refund a customer without having to send the product back. Even with the "returnless refund" option turned off. 

David cites an example: a seller with a Czech address on Amazon in Germany lost €200 in automatic refunds in one month. After changing to a German return address - the problem disappeared. 

Expandeco solves this problem by offering local return addresses in many European countries. This makes the seller look professional in Amazon's eyes and, more importantly, avoids unnecessary losses. 

The difference between a good seller and a bad seller 

As Cikanek points out: 

• good sellers have prepaid labels, fast return process, pro-client service, 

• poor vendors - delay, complicate and risk A-to-Z claims that reduce account health. 

With Expandeco's help, you can automate the handling of returns, consolidate them and speed up the refund process - and that directly translates into better account metrics, greater listing visibility and protecting listings from negative feedback. 

The most common vendor myth 

Many sellers mistakenly think they can handle returns as if they were in their own store. Meanwhile, Amazon requires speed and often refunds even before the product is received. 

"On Amazon, it's not about fighting for every return, it's about the smoothness of the process," - David says. - "That's what makes Amazon a favorite platform for customers." 

Expandeco responds to these demands by ensuring that the product is returned quickly to a local address - and the seller can instantly close the return process and protect their account. 

Returns vs. customer reviews 

David notes, "Most reviews are not from satisfied customers, but from those who had a problem. If a return goes badly, a 1-star review is almost guaranteed." 

That's why it's crucial that refunds and returns be as smooth as possible. By consolidating returns and providing local addresses in multiple countries, Expandeco helps avoid unnecessary negative reviews and safeguards the listing's reputation.

A strategy to get started - simple and effective 

Cikanek advises: 

• FBA - ideal because Amazon handles returns for the seller. 

• FBM - necessarily prepaid labels and local address. 

Expandeco allows you to implement this strategy without having to build your own infrastructure in each country. It's a fast market entry with minimal risk and maximum compliance with Amazon's expectations.

Summary 

Handling returns on Amazon is not an expensive "add-on," but a strategic part of the business. Local addresses mean fewer automatic refunds, faster merchandise circulation, better account metrics and listing protection from bad reviews. 

👉 "On Amazon, those who make the returns process simple and fast win," concludes David Cikanek. 

Make an appointment for a no obligation consultation with Expandeco 

If you sell on Amazon or are planning to expand into new markets, don't let returns become a brake on your growth. 

Contact our Expandeco expert and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. 

You'll learn how, with local return addresses and shipment consolidation, we can help you reduce losses, streamline processes and improve sales performance.