Setting Cancellation Windows and Return Policies That Actually Work

Your cancellation window and return policy are the two settings that shape almost everything customers experience with Post-Purchase Hub. Here’s how to set both well.

Choosing a cancellation window by product type

There’s no single right answer — it depends on how fast you fulfill. A few starting points:

• Standard physical goods: 30 minutes to 24 hours
• Perishables or made-to-order items: 5 to 15 minutes
• Digital downloads: usually no cancellation window at all, since delivery is instant
• Print-on-demand: 10 to 30 minutes, since production starts almost immediately

Store-wide default vs. per-product override

Set one sensible default for your whole catalog, then override it on individual products that need special handling. This keeps the settings screen simple while still covering edge cases like fast-turnaround custom orders.

Writing a return policy people actually read

Skip the legal boilerplate. State the return window in days, what condition items need to be in, and who pays return shipping — in that order, in plain language. Customers skim; a policy they can read in ten seconds gets followed more often than one buried in a wall of text.

Syncing to your fulfillment workflow

Every return request logs to your store-owner dashboard the moment it’s submitted, with the order details attached — so whoever handles fulfillment doesn’t need a separate handoff or spreadsheet to track what’s pending.