Carrier Options

Overview

If multiple carriers are available for a return, these carrier options can be displayed for your customers in your Returns Portal. Carrier options are displayed on the carrier selection page of the Returns Portal, where your customers can select their preferred return shipment method.

If you only offer one carrier for return shipments, the carrier selection page can be enabled. Depending on the carrier, carrier options can be enabled to let your customers choose between different services (for example: printable return label, QR code, and carrier pickup).

Pickup Options

If your carrier offers pickup for returns, this option can also be displayed. Your customers select a date and time slot for the collection of the return parcel and have the option of editing the pickup address if it differs from the delivery address.

After a pickup is scheduled, your customers can opt to reschedule the date and time of the pickup if the selected return carrier offers this functionality. The pickup date and time can be modified from the return confirmation page.

Drop-off Options

If your return carrier offers drop-off lockers for selection, these can be displayed on the carrier selection page.

Return via parcel locker

Parcel locker options

Depending on the information provided by your return carrier, the nearest drop-off locations can be displayed to make carrier selection easier for your customers. In the following example, the displayed distance to the drop-off location is calculated based on the delivery address. Further details on each drop-off location (for example: operating hours and address) can be displayed as well.

Return In Store

If you offer in-store returns, this option can be displayed on the carrier selection page. Nearby store locations can be displayed based on your customer’s address.

Key Benefits

Enabling carrier selection clearly communicates expectations around the return shipment method to your customers. Offering multiple carrier options lets your customers choose the most convenient option based on their schedule (for example: scheduling a pickup from home instead of having to drop off the return).

Activating the carrier selection page even with only a single carrier option increases transparency around the returns process. This can be valuable when you have different outbound and return carriers to avoid customer confusion.

Configuring the Carrier Options Feature

This section describes the configuration required for displaying carrier options.

Customer Requirements

For the feature to work, you need to provide the following:

• The carriers you are using for return shipments.

• Text for carrier-specific instructions that is displayed within the carrier option.

If you only have one carrier for returns, you can decide if you want to activate the carrier selection page for your Returns Portal. This option will be pre-selected for your customers.

Implementation Process

To activate this feature for your Returns Portal, please contact your parcelLab representative.

Configuring Return Label Rate Optimization

This section describes how you can optimize the display of carrier options by label cost.

The rate optimization feature for carrier selection enables you to optimize the display of carrier options based on the label cost. Rate-based filtering can be added to the configuration of displayed carrier options, enabling cost optimization through the flexibility to display cost-effective options higher on the list while offering your customers multiple carrier options.