If you’re asking yourself, "Should I offer a returns service to my US customers?" Then our answer is a resounding, "Yes!" Americans are an e-commerce-savvy bunch, and a returns service is the norm. If you’re wondering how to ship from the US to the UK cheaply. Then read on to find out how you can provide international returns cost effectively.
First off, why do e-commerce trade with the USA at all?
When successful e-commerce companies in the UK think about branching out internationally, naturally they might think about our neighbours in Europe first. However, the US market holds a huge amount of buying potential. Americans generate and earn more than 20% of the world’s income – and much of that is spent online. Plus, shipping anywhere in America can often work out cheaper and easier than delivering to Europe – and you won’t have to worry about charging VAT or obtaining an IOSS number either.
When you look at it like that, shipping to the USA seems like a no brainer. However, if you are seriously considering shipping there, you will want to consider your returns strategy. Without one, you may risk credibility and lose business.
Why offer a returns service from the USA?
American customers are used to buying online, in fact, more than 81% of the population do this according to Yaguara.co. Because of this, US consumers already have elevated expectations of what a company should be offering in terms of back up and support when they buy from them. One of those expectations is having a returns service.
A returns service instils confidence in your company and the goods that you are selling. Satisfied customers often become return customers, and they are much more likely to recommend you to a friend if they’ve had a good experience. The bottom line is, if you want to penetrate the US market and grow your audience, you must build trust and the best way to do that is to provide a transparent returns service.
What makes a good returns service?
Firstly, it helps to remember that you can’t be too upfront about the service you offer. Rather than burying your returns policy deep in your check out system, we recommend having an easily identifiable returns feature on your homepage to let customers know that you’ve got them covered. That’s not to say you can’t remind them about your returns service along the way. Ensuring customers know you have a returns system in place at every major touch point will prevent them from having second thoughts and abandoning their shopping cart at the final hurdle.
Secondly, it pays to invest in a robust returns system, such as an easy to navigate portal. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to be easy to operate for all parties. Your customers don’t want to jump through too many hoops to organise a return. Likewise, you want to be able to access and manage your service easily, no matter where you are.
How much to ship a package from the US to the UK – and can I do it cheaply?
We hear you, it’s all very well building brand trust, but you still need to turn a profit – and returns can quickly chip away at your margins. Even though it feels easy to reach out to the large shipping companies to help with your returns service, it does pay to shop around.
Most of the shipping giants do offer a returns service, but they can be expensive and all too often you find yourself speaking to an automated service instead of a human being. The longer you wait for a resolution, the harder it is to reassure your customer that you have everything under control.
Returns from the USA from just £12.81!
SAMOS specialises in providing simple solutions to shipping problems. With our returns service you can organise a return for an item up to half a kilo for as little as £12.81. We’ll also provide you with complete transparency over the whereabouts of your package and we’re only a phone call away if you need us.
SAMOS provides a fully managed returns service portal that easily integrates with your shipping process. The returns portal can be branded for a seamless shopping experience and customers can access it in just three clicks. They can also print or download a label before returning their parcel to a local collection point. Simple.
What should I look for in a returns service from the states?
These are our top tips to consider when choosing a returns service:
- Costs: Returns are important, but they shouldn’t eat away at your profit.
- Service: If things go wrong, you’re going to want a partner you can rely on.
