Customers aren’t just expecting fast shipping anymore, they’re expecting fast refunds. Refund speed now matters as much as shipping speed, and the data backs it up. According to a new PYMNTS study, 63% of consumers now want their money back the same day a return hits the system. Nearly 40% said they’d rather go to the dentist than wait more than a week.
If your refund process feels slow, confusing, or inconsistent, your customer isn’t waiting around. They’re moving on.
Why Refund Speed Is the New Loyalty Driver
When refunds lag, shoppers get anxious. And anxious shoppers don’t come back.
Today’s customers expect the entire post-purchase experience to move fast. If their money’s in limbo, so is their trust in your brand. And if they’ve already dealt with delays, confusion, or return label drama? The slow refund is the final straw.
Refund expectations are no longer flexible. They’re immediate.
What Smart Merchants Are Doing
You don’t have to build a banking system. But you do need to make refund speed part of your operational strategy.
Here’s how merchants are already adapting:
- Automate the trigger
Refunds go out as soon as a return gets scanned—not when someone remembers to check a spreadsheet. - Upgrade the rails
Real-time payment systems or instant refund tools are replacing 3–5 day payout windows. - Set refund expectations early
Clear timelines at checkout, in confirmation emails, and on return labels help reduce support tickets and customer anxiety.
What’s at Risk If You Don’t
Slower refunds can lead to:
- Lost customer trust
- Increased churn
- Negative reviews and support friction
- Delays that clog your ops team’s time and resources
When a customer clicks “return,” your internal clock should start ticking. If it’s not automated, it’s already too slow.
Build a Refund Process Customers Can Trust
Refund speed now matters as much as shipping speed, and it’s become part of the product experience. With smart workflows that connect fulfillment, returns, and payouts, you’ll move faster, support less, and keep customers loyal.
Book a demo with Ordoro and see how faster refunds and automated return workflows help your store run smoother, start to finish.