Return

Returns

Returns can be done when a cardholder needs to be refunded for the sale transaction. Returns can only be done to sale transactions that are in a closed batch. If the sale transaction is still in an open batch, the sale must be voided. If the entire sale needs to be canceled (in the event where the virtual card will not be used) the cancel functionality can be used instead.

Sales Returns will be debited from your account as part of the Daily Funding process. Sales Returns can be tracked on the “Sales Returns and Voids” in the Daily Data file that is emailed each morning and also in various reports within Analytics.

Returns may be declined. For more information about declined returns, please see the Return Authorizations section below.

Developers can find technical information on Returns in our Developer Docs.

Voiding Returns

Returns can be voided in the CXP Portal or via API.

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A Return can only be Voided before Midnight ET of the day the Return was processed.

To Void a Return via API call the Void endpoint and include the ReturnGuid in the SaleGuid property

To Void a Return via the CXP Portal, you can simply click this button (see screenshot below)

Return Authorizations

Visa, Mastercard, and Discover introduced an authorization requirement, or mandate, for return transactions (also known as a cardholder refund). Authorizing a return enables the card issuer to validate the cardholder account, decline potentially fraudulent cards, and minimize chargebacks if the account does not exist or has been closed. The return authorization message is intended to improve the return process, minimize return inquiries and improve the customer experience for cardholders by enabling them to view a credit/return on their online banking account/statement in real-time and receive other services from the card issuer such as text alerts. Most Point of Sale (POS) systems were not previously designed to obtain authorization to return money to the cardholder. Prior to this update, a return transaction was stored in the system until submitted for a settlement.

How to Handle Declined Returns

There are a couple of reasons issuers may decline a credit voucher authorization. The most common scenario is that the account used for the original purchase is no longer available or valid (for example, the original card has been replaced due to expiration or being reported lost or stolen, or was a Prepaid card that has since been discarded). When the authorization request for the refund transaction was declined by the issuer, a merchant may process the refund via an alternative method.

Alternative methods include:

• Attempting to process the return to a different credit card via API (details below)
• Issuing/mailing a check (outside of ConnexPay)
• In-store credit / gift card (outside of ConnexPay)
• Cash (if in person) (outside of ConnexPay)

Processing the Return to a Different Credit Card

Using the ‘Returns’ Endpoint, you can send a retry request by populating the ReturnRetryCard object fields. This tells us this is a retry at which point we validate some things to make sure it’s a legitimate return (we make sure it wasn’t already returned, we make sure the amount is for the original return amount, etc). A couple of things to keep in mind:

• This can only be performed on a return that was previously declined - The return will fail if there isn’t an original, declined return response
• You have thirty days from the original declined return attempt to process the return to a different credit card.
• The return will fail if the attempt is for more than the original return request amount

See developers documentation here.

Below are the response codes and descriptions for Return Authorization declines:

FAQs

A Return Authorization is a mandate or a directive that enables a card issuer to authorize and validate a refund for a cardholder and minimize chargebacks and fraudulent cards if the account doesn’t exist or has been closed.

The return authorization mandate is intended to improve the current cardholder experience by allowing them to view a credit/return on their online banking statement in real-time, receive text alerts and minimize return inquiries.

Visa, Mastercard and Discover support the Return Authorization mandate.

Unfortunately no. The decision to decline a Return Authorization is completely up to the issuer of the consumer’s credit card.

There are a couple of reasons issuers may decline a credit voucher authorization. The most common scenario is that the account used for the original purchase is no longer available or valid (for example, the original card has been replaced due to expiration or being reported lost or stolen, or was a Prepaid card that has since been discarded). When the authorization request for the refund transaction was declined by the issuer, a merchant may process the refund via an alternative method.

Alternative methods include:

• Issuing/mailing a check
• In-store credit / gift card
• Cash (if in person)

Supporting Documentation

Visa - https://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/global/support-legal/documents/new-purchase-return-vbs-10-apr-17.pdf