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Returns don't update PaymentTerms

Returns don't update PaymentTerms

BlackCart
Shopify Partner
8 0 0

We've developed a purchase options app that allows for try before you buy.  Often customers pay a small deposit to try items and then eventually pay for the full item at the end of the trial period, or they return the item.  One interesting behaviour of returns and refunds is that the outstanding balance on the order (PaymentTerms) does not update in some cases. 

 

Here are some scenarios and the behaviour I see:

  1. Fulfilled, return items but not refund, close the return
    • Order subtotal does not get updated
    • Outstanding amount does not get updated
  2. Fulfilled, return items and issue a $0 refund
    • Order subtotal updates to the remaining item
    • Outstanding amount does not get updated
  3. Fulfilled, return items and issue a refund smaller than the price of the item
    • Order subtotal updates to the remaining item
    • Outstanding amount does not get updated

My questions are

  1. For scenario 1 above, why doesn't the order subtotal update when the items are returned?
  2. How do you get the outstanding amount (paymentTerms) to update?
Replies 4 (4)

Julien_he
Shopify Staff
3 0 0

Hello BlackCart,

 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We acknowledge that the current operation of our PaymentTerms is a recognized issue, and we want to assure you that our team is actively engaged in enhancing its functionality. We will keep this thread updated with any significant developments or improvements.

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

BlackCart
Shopify Partner
8 0 0

Hi Julien,

 

Is there a way for us to update the PaymentTerms outstanding amount?  How can we charge the customer the correct outstanding amount?  Is there a timeline you can offer to fixing this issue?

PeterKost
Shopify Staff
1 0 0

Hi BlackCart,


Unfortunately, there is no way at the moment to update the outstanding amount. Teams are looking into solving the root cause of the problem and we will get back once we have an update.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

BlackCart
Shopify Partner
8 0 0

Hi Peter

 

Reviving this thread after seeing the change https://shopify.dev/changelog/return-sales-and-exchange-apis went live (I think?).  It looks like creating a return on Shopify Admin does lower down the PaymentTerm's outstanding balance.  Great!

 

I just tested it quickly with refunds, it doesn't seem to be adjusting the PaymentTerm's outstanding balance.  I did the following test:

  1. Placed an order with try before you buy items with a 10% deposit
  2. Fulfilled the items
  3. Issue a refund on one of the items, with a refund amount that is smaller than the price of the item
    1. In the refund screen, increase the quantity to 1 of one of the items
    2. Put in $20 to refund (the item's amount is $410)
  4. What I saw is that
    1. The order subtotal adjusted down by the item's amount
    2. The $20 of refund is pending
    3. The PaymentTerm's outstanding balance is the same

In this case, I expect the PaymentTerm's outstanding balance to adjust down by the same amount as the order subtotal but didn't.  Is this the outstanding issue?  Should the PaymentTerm's outstanding balance adjust down (if this is an issue and when it's fixed) or is there a reason why it shouldn't?

 

Thank you so much for digging into this for us.

Matthew