Returns Information

Bookpoint Ltd operates a centralised returns processing site that can handle returns for clients who are engaged within the Industry Returns Initiative (IRI) and support those outside of this process.

Customers benefit from the returns handling process by being able to package returns for our Hachette Group publishers or Third Party publishers into a single consignment. This allows customers to save on carriage costs as well as reducing the overall cost of the supply chain.

The Bookpoint site procedures cover: 
• An outline of the Industry Standard Process
• The procedures and rules involved in this
• What effect the process has for the client
• The effects for the distributor

IRI Returns:

Bookpoint Ltd is able to offer an Industry Returns Initiative (IRI) as a further service to our client publishers. The returns department offers a service to accommodate both IRI returns and continues to provide the standard service for those publishers and customers who remain outside the Initiative.

Under the IRI process requests to return are sent direct to Bookpoint Ltd using electronic means and are subject to industry agreed parameters built into our Vista software computer programs. The automated and BIC compliant returns system includes all of the IRI functionality, such as non-conformance returns and red/green box RANs.

For overstock returns it uses the average weighted price to calculate the value of credits, replacing the various credit calculation methods in place at present.

The new process has a number of benefits:
• The length of time taken from the point of requesting permission to return to receiving credit is greatly reduced
• Much less working capital is tied up in returns that are being processed
• There are time saving benefits for publishers' accounts staff matching credits and resolving issues and disputes over debit and credit notes, and for booksellers, from a reduction in physical handling and associated paperwork 

Information on the Standard Returns Handling Procedure and IRI Returns Procedure can be found below:

Industry Standard Returns Procedure

Bookpoint Returns Procedure

Taylor & Francis Returns Procedure