> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aimventory.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Vendor Returns

> Send stock back to the supplier you bought it from and track the credit you expect to get back.

Send stock back to the supplier you bought it from and track the credit you expect to get back.

**Where to find it:** [Open Vendor Returns in AIM](https://aimventory.com/vendor-returns) — you will be asked to sign in first.

## What you can do here

* Start a return to a supplier and pick which items and how many to send back
* Say why they're going back (damaged, wrong item, quality issue, overstock)
* Save it as a draft to finish later, or create and process it to remove the stock
* Track the return through shipping until the supplier credit lands, and see how the actual credit compared to what you expected

## Buttons, fields, and controls

| Control           | Where                   | What it does                                                          | When to use it                                                                  |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| New Vendor Return | Page actions            | Starts a return to a supplier.                                        | Use it when stock should leave your inventory and go back to the vendor.        |
| Vendor            | Filters and return form | Filters returns or selects the supplier receiving the returned stock. | Use it to keep the return tied to the correct source.                           |
| Purchase Order    | Return form             | Links the return to the PO that originally brought in the stock.      | Use it when the vendor return is tied to a specific receiving event or invoice. |
| Add items         | Return form             | Chooses the products, sizes, and quantities being sent back.          | Use it after confirming the physical items and reason for return.               |
| Reason            | Return form             | Records why the stock is being returned.                              | Use it for defective goods, wrong shipment, overage, or agreed vendor credit.   |
| Preview           | Return form             | Shows the inventory and cost impact before creating the return.       | Use it before committing anything that removes stock.                           |
| Submit Return     | Return form             | Creates the vendor return and applies the stock movement.             | Use it after checking vendor, items, quantities, and credit details.            |
| Open return       | Return row              | Opens the vendor return detail page.                                  | Use it to review status, items, credit, or follow-up notes.                     |

## How to: Create a return to a supplier

1. Click "New Vendor Return".
2. Pick the supplier you're returning to. (If you started from a purchase order, the supplier is already filled in.)
3. Optional: narrow the list by purchase order or by status (for example, only items flagged as damaged).
4. In the "By quantity" table, type how many of each size you're sending back. If your items have individual barcodes, you can switch to "By unit" and tick the exact pairs instead.
5. Choose a reason and, if you like, add a tracking number and notes.
6. Click "Save draft" to keep working on it, or "Create & process" to finalize it.

<Tip title="Real-world example">
  You got 6 pairs of Dunk Low Panda from "Kickz Wholesale" and 2 arrived scuffed. Open a return for Kickz Wholesale, set the return quantity to 2 on that line, pick reason "Damaged", and you'll see the expected supplier credit add up to 2 × your cost.
</Tip>

## How to: Understand the credit numbers before you submit

1. "Supplier credit" is what you expect to get back — it adds up your cost for the items you selected.
2. If the supplier agreed to a different amount, type it into "Expected credit amount" to override the estimate.
3. "Estimated valuation" is what those items are currently worth on your books; "Expected variance" is the difference between the credit and that value.
4. Then choose "Save draft" or "Create & process".

<Tip title="Real-world example">
  Returning 2 pairs that cost you $95 each shows a $190 supplier credit. If Kickz only agreed to \$170, type 170 into "Expected credit amount" so your records match.
</Tip>

## How to: Track it until the credit arrives

1. Open a return by clicking its row (or the "View" button).
2. As it moves along, mark it shipped (add a tracking number), then mark it received by the vendor.
3. When the supplier issues the credit, record the actual amount received.
4. The list shows the difference between the credit you expected and the credit you actually got.

<Tip title="Real-world example">
  A $190 return ships with UPS tracking, the supplier receives it, then credits $180. Record $180 as the actual credit so AIM shows the $10 shortfall for follow-up.
</Tip>

## Good to know

* Saving a draft does not remove anything from stock. "Create & process" is the step that actually decrements your inventory, removes the items from your storefront, and takes down any marketplace listings (StockX, GOAT, eBay).
* Only items still on hand can be returned. Pairs that have already sold, were already returned, or were received without unit tracking won't show up in the list.
* If an item shows a zero supplier cost, you'll be asked to confirm — use this when you plan to sort out the credit with the supplier by hand.
* You can return from this page directly, or kick off a return from a specific purchase order so the supplier and items are pre-filled.

## Where to go next

* [Purchase Orders (stock coming in)](/buying/purchase-orders)
* [Inventory](/inventory/inventory)