Refunds versus returns
Money refunded and items physically returned are different, and Aplon separates them.
Most reporting treats a refund as a return. They are not the same, and the difference matters for stock and for margin.
Aplon splits them:
Returned and restocked — the customer sent the item back and it went back into inventory. You lost the sale but kept the goods.
Refunded, not returned — you refunded without the item coming back. Damaged goods, goodwill, a shipping problem. You lost the sale and the goods.
Cancelled — the order never shipped.
There is also a separate line for refunded amounts that are not tied to an item at all, such as shipping, tax or a partial goodwill refund. It is shown separately so the parts reconcile with the headline figure rather than mysteriously falling short.
The practical use: a rising "refunded, not returned" figure is usually a product or fulfilment problem, not a customer-behaviour one, and it costs you twice.
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