OpenSecrets: Charity returns

Welcome to the OpenSecrets Charity returns system.

This system aims to make the problem experienced by online retailers of dealing with return of goods and refunding, a lot easier and 'greener'.

Not worth the bother

Online sales are low cost to service, that is why the retailer can offer low costs to the customer, but a part of the system that causes costs and pain is the return of unwanted goods.

  • Returning goods carries a lot of costs and very few benefits for the seller
    • Costs:
      • Somewhere to return them to
      • Someone to deal with the return classify it A/B/C
      • A process for checking 'A' stock back into the system
      • A process for disposing of 'B' and 'A' stock
      • Usually a disproportionate use of warehouse space and resources
    • Benefits:
      • Some A stock returned to the system for resell
      • Some return on B stock
  • Environmental cost
    • Shipping the goods back uses carrier capacity and fuel, so it has a carbon footprint
    • A lot of returns go 'in the skip' as being too costly to process so end up in landfill
  • Impact on the customer
    • Shipping the goods back can be a hassle, packaging, labelling, etc
    • Delay in getting payment back (depending on resellers policy)

As a result a lot of online resellers either do or would like to take the attitude of "don't bother to send it back".

This however gives the opportunity of "keep it and don't pay for it" to those "customers" who would like to defraud the system. As a result the cost of handling returns is seen as a part of the larger problem of discouraging and preventing fraud, and the goods come back and go into the landfill.

That is not a good idea for the environment, and not a particularly good idea for the reseller, and it makes everything more expensive so it is not a good idea for those who are valid paying customers.

So the proposition is, why not make it a lot easier all around?

  • A system that reduces the need for goods to be returned to the reseller
    • Return the goods to a (subscribing) charity shop
      • These exist on every high street
      • They exist to accept charity gifts of re-sellable goods
      • They are staffed by people used to the process of taking in 'seconds'
      • They support charity causes, local, national, international
      • They have arrangements for disposal of un-resellable materials.
    • What's in it for the reseller?
      • A significant cost reduction on handling returned goods
        • The prospect of having arrangements with specific charities for the return of 'A' goods
        • Not having to handle and dispose of 'B' and 'C' goods
      • The publicity of supporting charities
      • A mechanism for discouraging fraudulent retention of goods
        • Refund authorisation can be tied to confirmation of return
      • A demonstrable and traceable reduction in carbon footprint of the business
    • What's in it for the Charity Shop?
      • A steady stream of 'A/B' goods for resale
      • Closer ties with potential sponsoring retailers
      • Revenue opportunities from 'outsourced' handling for sponsors
      • Opportunity for local specialisation (charity A electricals, B clothing C books etc)
      • Greater footfall, every return is a sales opportunity
      • Support for the cause
    • What's in it for the Customer?
      • Convenience, a visit to the charity shop not the post office
      • Choice, which charity shop do they wish to support
      • Environmental, less road miles
      • Refund speed and certainty, it can be confirmed in shop

        How do I sign up?

As an online reseller

As an online reseller you have the role of authorising the return of the goods that you have supplied.

This system is open to any size of reseller, from the one person start up to the billion dollar international (prices may vary!).

Click here to apply for a supplier identifier and get the documentation of how to authorise a return.Supplier Signup

As a Charity Shop

As a high street charity shop, you have the role of receiving the authorised return of goods in a friendly manner.

This system is open to any size of charity, from the local hospice or animal sanctuary to the international aid organisation.

Click here to apply for a charity identifier and get the documentation of how to process a return.Charity Signup