How can I set up a return address for customers without revealing my private address?

[Against]

I want an address to put on my store so that customers can return the products to suppliers. I'm not sure if this means PO Box or Virtual Mailbox. I DON'T want my customers to see my private address. I am not expecting to receive any products at my private address as my customers can send the products to the suppliers overseas or in the United States. I don't know how to accomplish this. Is there a way I can have a second address, that ships back to the suppliers?

[Shay · Accepted solution]

Hi @Against 

This is a very common question we hear from new merchants who run dropshipping businesses. I can understand the need to keep your personal information safe while also making returns easy for your customers. 

When it comes to a dropshipping business, generally customers should not be engaging with your suppliers at all. They aren't buying from the suppliers, they are buying from you and your business. Asking customers to return products overseas or to another country is generally not very feasible and most suppliers won't accept those product returns because they don't know where it came from. 

This is also a great topic of conversation to consider your customer's trust level with your business. A business that doesn't accept returns of it's products is generally not going to be considered as trustworthy as a similar business that does. 

I would recommend looking into using a PO box or contact your local post office to see if you can have packages returned to their address. I would also suggest having a look at our blog article about this to learn more about dropshipping best practices: How to Handle Refunds and Returns as a Dropshipper. 

Of course the decision on how you handle returns as a business is entirely in your hands. I really do encourage you to consider finding a way that works for you that also allows customers to return products to you as well!

[Against]

Hello @Shay.

Thanks for taking the time to clear things up. I'm still unsure if I should look into a PO Box or virtual digital mailbox such as iPostal1 or Shipito. I also seen a glimpse of the Shopify Fulfillment Network. I am confused on which one I should really invest in.

[Shay]

If your business is eligible for it, Shopify Fulfillment Network (SFN) is a great option to consider. The service itself is still fairly new and because of that it does have some strict eligibility requirements. I can share some of those here so that you can decide if your business is a good fit for an application.

• Maximum of 200 active, distinct SKUs (including variants) with 15 additional per average daily order volume (i.e. 10 daily orders = 200 + 150 = 350 variants)
• 3 + US or Canadian orders per day, through your Shopify store and sales channels
• Products that weigh less than 35 lbs or or do not exceed 18 inches in any given dimension
• Straightforward fulfillment; a package cannot exceed weight of 70lbs or girth of 108"
• Inventory managed by Shopify and not a third-party app
• Must have Locations enabled
• Merchants must get their own insurance

If you think that this would work for your business I would definitely reach out to our live support to start the referral process!