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Rentshelf Docs

Returns workflow

The Returns screen helps staff work through rentals that have ended, are due soon, or still need to be closed after the customer brings the item back.

Open it from Rentshelf → Returns.

What the screen is for

Section titled “What the screen is for”

Use Returns when you need to:

  • find rentals that should already be back;
  • chase rentals that are due soon;
  • filter by rental status or delivery method;
  • record returned condition notes;
  • move a booking into the returned history;
  • print the active return queue for warehouse, studio or front-desk staff.

Filters

Section titled “Filters”

At the top of the screen, use:

  • Rentals ended in the last - controls how many days of ended rentals are included.
  • Rental status - shows rentals that need attention, active/dispatched rentals, returned rentals or all statuses.
  • Delivery method - filters pickup, courier, venue delivery, on-site drop-off or custom delivery options.

The right-hand attention panel highlights overdue and due-soon counts so staff can quickly see what needs action today.

Card view

Section titled “Card view”

Card view is built for day-to-day return handling. Each rental card can show:

  • order or booking reference;
  • customer name and contact details;
  • product and selected rental window;
  • delivery method;
  • return tracking or pickup details;
  • customer notes, access notes or uploaded brief context;
  • status controls;
  • return condition notes.

Use card view when staff need operational context before closing the return.

Table view

Section titled “Table view”

Click Switch to Table View for a denser queue. Table view is best when you need to scan many rentals at once, compare due dates or export/print a compact worksheet.

Switching views keeps the active filters, so you can narrow the queue first and then change layout.

Section titled “Print returns”

Click Print returns to print the currently filtered return queue. The print output should include the same rentals you are viewing, not an empty state from a different filter.

Before printing, set the day range and status filter you want staff to work from. For example:

  • Needs attention for overdue or due-soon work;
  • Active / dispatched to chase items that left the store but have not returned;
  • Returned when you need a record of recently closed returns.

Closing a return

Section titled “Closing a return”

When the item is back:

  1. Open the booking from the return queue.
  2. Review product, dates, deposit, delivery method and customer notes.
  3. Record the return condition, such as Good, Damaged, Missing accessory or an internal note.
  4. Mark the rental as returned.
  5. Refund or retain any security deposit in Shopify if needed.

Returned bookings move out of the active queue and into the returned history panel.

Deposits and balances

Section titled “Deposits and balances”

Returns are also where deposit follow-up becomes operational:

  • Security deposits can be refunded after the item is returned in good condition.
  • Booking deposits leave a remaining balance trail on the booking and order metadata.
  • Pay in full bookings show that the full rental amount was collected up front.

The booking record is the source of truth for deposit amount, due-today amount, remaining balance and payment option.

Testing checklist

Section titled “Testing checklist”

Before relying on returns in production, test:

  • a rental that is due soon;
  • an overdue rental;
  • a returned rental with a condition note;
  • card view and table view with the same filters;
  • print output with at least one matching return;
  • delivery method filtering;
  • deposit/pay-in-full details on the booking.
Section titled “Related”