The inspection process begins the moment the box comes in our doors.  Our receiving department scans all incoming tracking numbers to confirm and document receipt.  Video cameras record our incoming and outgoing dock doors 24/7 as backup documentation.  The box is then routed down specific conveyors to the inspection teams based on the degree of inspection or difficulty.

Your customer returns inspection needs will vary depending on the cost, complexity, quantity and source.  We’ve designed many inspection options to satisfy this wide variety of needs.  Let’s go through them.

Zero Inspection

If profit reCOVERY is your focus and the product cost is low, selecting zero inspection may be your best bet.  Less labor equals less costs before reCOVERY.

We have 2 services with zero inspection.

0 – Liquidations: This is for brand new products that are still sealed.  Of course, they don’t require any inspection.

1 – Returns Simple: This is for customer returns that will be received and counted then quickly moved to the reCOVERY team for reSELL.  Because there is no inspection, there is no condition grade provided and inventory levels are counted as 1 single SKU in our system.  These items will most likely reSELL in our local retail liquidation store in a BIN type fashion.  However, we allow the reSELL team the option to choose the best reSELL option for each item.

Group Inspection

2 – Returns Group: This is the most common inspection choice.  If you’ve been with Back-Track for a long time and were in the reCOVER Green or reCOVER PURPLE program, this is the same level of inspection and the inspection group we moved your account during the transition to more services.

The items are grouped and inspected by Back-Track’s inspection team.  They search for damage, missing parts and signs of use.  There are 4 grade choices possible (A,B,C,D) and the item will be classified into one of these 4 grades.

Inventory tracking in the Back-Track dashboard is 1 ticket = many quantity for the same SKU with the same grade.  For example if we have 12 units of SKU ABC-123, there will be 1 ticket in our system with quantity 12 showing.  As we receive more, the quantity will increase.  As we reSELL, the quantity will decrease.

Detailed Return Inspection

3 – Returns Detailed: This inspection option is best suited for customer direct returns to Back-Track where you require additional information about the return package and the item.  Additional details are gathered such as the tracking number, the LPN barcode and the customer’s name on the label.

With this level of detail, there will be 1 ticket = 1 item in the Back-Track online dashboard.  This helps keep the details organized by customer or by item so you can take appropriate action such as refunding or verifying the item said to be returned matches the item we received.

HIGHEST PRIORITY – the 3 – Returns Detailed inspection level is also the highest priority for receiving and inspecting.  We understand that you have limited time before needing to refund the customer and therefore our receiving department will place these items on the highest priority conveyor for the quickest processing.  These items are also inspected by our most experienced team members with an eye for details.

Electronics Returns

4 – Returns Electronics: This inspection option is for electronic items that need to be powered on and tested.  We inspect a high number of electronic devices every day such as 12 volt car audio and video equipment.

For electronic testing there is 1 ticket = 1 item in the Back-Track dashboard to allow the inspection details to be assigned to each item.  Due to the wide variety of electronic items, the pricing for this service is subject to a quote and below prices are estimates.

Photos (Optional)

Seeing your item’s condition can be helpful if you’re located oceans away.  If you select the photo option, the inspection team will photograph 3 things.

1. The shipping label with barcode and customer name or reference number if they are located on the shipping label.
2. The LPN barcode label.  This is the Amazon FBA License Plate Number barcode for customer returns.  Amazon covers up your original barcode with the LPN barcode which is unique to each return.  Amazon can match the LPN to the customer who returned the item.
3. The item and the item condition.  If there is damage, it will also be photographed.  Some items may receive multiple photos if they are large or complex. Some items may receive only one photo.

NOTE: The “Add Photos” option is only available for the “Grouped”, “Detailed” or “Electronics” inspection levels.

ALSO NOTE: If you’re looking to track customer details but wish to keep things efficient, selecting the “Group Inspection + Photos” is a low-cost solution to provide you (in photo format) with the customer’s name, the tracking# and the LPN for the returns without having to go the “Detailed Inspection” level.

Video (Optional)

The video option is similar to photos.  You will get a 30 second video of the item being inspected with the shipping label and LPN barcodes in the video also.  Video allows for you to see the item from multiple angles or to see the item in action.  Video is very popular for electronic inspections.

Storage Fees

Storage fees are ONLY CHARGED for items we are “Holding” for you.  If the items are in LIQUIDATION or reSELL, there is NO STORAGE FEES.  Yes, that’s right!

If we are holding spare parts, or “A” condition items for you to send back to FBA or to another customer, these will be assessed storage fees described in more details here.  Or if you ask us to hold every item waiting for your instructions, they will also have a storage fee.

Special projects will include storage fees AFTER the items have been processed.  See more details about storage fees here.

Need Credit Card on File

Only some services require having a credit card on file.  This allows for automated invoices due the large volume of transactions we process each day and each week.  Automation is key to keeping your costs down and your recovery levels up.

If we are holding items or doing detailed inspections, a credit card be required.  If we are doing zero inspections or all items go to reSELL, no credit card will be required.