Process a return (return merchandise authorization and returns to vendor)

Sometimes the same organization that installs parts and equipment at a customer's location needs to process a return of that product or customer asset.

Common examples for why returns may be initiated include:

  • The part or equipment is defective.
  • The customer is dissatisfied.
  • A repair is needed and the repair will not take place on site, but back at the service provider's or manufacturer's location.
  • The equipment was at the customer's location as part of a lease that is ending and will not be renewed.

Field Service supports three out-of-the-box returns:

  • Return to warehouse
  • Return to vendor
  • Change of equipment ownership

Step 1: Create an RMA

  1. From the main menu, go to Field Service > Inventory tab > RMAs.

  2. On the Active RMAs screen, select +New.

  3. Fill in your information. Use the handy tooltips as a guide.

    • If the product was used in a work order, choose the related Work Order where the product was used. The related Service Account is automatically filled in when you choose a work order.

    • Choose an RMA substatus. For example, Exchange, Repair, Retire, or Upgrade. These options are configurable in Field Service > Settings > RMA Substatuses.

    • Select the Date Requested and if it's Taxable or not.

    • Specify the price of the product being returned by choosing a Price List.

  4. When you're done, Save.

Screenshot of an RMA.

Ship via

When you create a Field Service RMA, you can track how the return will be transported. The ship-via field lets you specify different shipping methods used by your company. You can create new options in Field Service > Settings > Ship Via. Common examples include freight shipping, USPS Ground, or FedEx.

Step 2: Add RMA products

Once an RMA is created, you must add the products to be returned. There are two ways to add RMA products — either manually or by choosing a product that was used on a work order.

To add products manually:

  1. In the RMA record, go to the Product section, and then select +Add RMA Product Record.
  2. Use the tooltips to help fill in your information, and then select Save & Close.

Screenshot of an RMA with associated RMA products.

Add products used in a work order

Note

To Add WO Products, a work order must be associated with the RMA.

  1. In the RMA record, on the command bar at the top, select Add WO Products. The Add WO Products dialog box opens.

  2. From the list of Work Order Products, select the Return check box for the products that are being returned.

    Note

    If the full quantity is not to be returned, you can choose a different value in the Return Value column, for example, if 5 units were used on a work order, but only 3 are to be returned.

  3. For each work order product to be returned, choose a Processing Action. This is the type of return. Choose from the following options:

  • Return to Warehouse
  • Create Return to Vendor (RTV)
  • Change of Equipment Ownership
  1. Next, specify the destination of the return. For example, if your Processing Action is Return to Warehouse, then in the Return to Warehouse column, choose the warehouse the product is going back to.

  2. When you're done, in the Add WO Products dialog box, select Ok.

Step 3: Create an RMA receipt

  1. From the RMA go to Related > Receipts.

  2. Select +Add New RMA Receipt.

  3. Use the tooltips to help fill in your information.

Step 4: Add RMA receipt products

  1. From the RMA receipt record, go to the Products section.

  2. Click +Add New RMA Receipt Product.

  3. Fill in your information. Use the handy tooltips as a guide.

  4. Enter the RMA Product and Quantity received.

  5. Select Save.

Note

For products that are tracked in inventory and for returns going to warehouses, an inventory journal is created automatically in the background that increases the "On Hand" warehouse quantity by the RMA receipt product quantity.

Step 5: (Optional) Create an RTV

You only need to create an RTV if the return is going back to the vendor. Once the product is received, you will create an RTV.

  1. In the RMA record, on the command bar at the top, select Create RTV. The Create RTV dialog box opens.

  2. Review the details, and then select the Return check box.

  3. A dialog box opens, confirming the RTV has been created.

  4. To see the RTV record, from the main menu go to Field Services > Inventory tab > RTVs.

  5. Choose the RTV record that you created to open the record.

  6. To track the return, mark when it was approved, shipped, and received.

  7. To credit the customer, go to the RMA, and then click RMA Product.

  8. Set Credit to Account to Yes.

  9. Select Save.

  10. To issue a credit memo, go back to the RMA, and then to RMA Receipts.

  11. Select the RMA receipt.

  12. On the command bar at the top, select Credit to Customer.