Enable Self-Service Returns with Forms

8 min setup
No coding required
Runs automatically

Empower your customers to initiate returns independently by embedding a custom return form on your Shopify store with Forms by MESA. This workflow template triggers a Slack notification upon receiving a return request and sends a confirmation email to the customer, keeping them informed throughout the process. Simplify return management while enhancing customer satisfaction with seamless automation.

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Form
Retrieve Shop
Retrieve Order
Add Row
Send Email
slack logo icon
Send Message

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How it works

6 steps to start receiving automated returns when customers submit requests

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Form

App connector: Form • Time to complete: 2 minutes
Why this matters: This creates the customer-facing return request form that captures all necessary order and return details to initiate the automated process.

This step generates a web form with fields for return reason selection and captures the order ID automatically when customers access it. You'll configure the form header text, return reason options (like "Purchased the wrong item" or "Item was damaged"), and whether to allow custom reasons. The form securely captures the Shopify order ID in a hidden field and passes all submitted data to the subsequent workflow steps for processing.

Retrieve Shop

App connector: Shopify • Time to complete: 0 minutes (Auto-configured)
Why this matters: This pulls your store's basic information needed for personalizing customer communications and internal notifications later in the workflow.

This step automatically connects to your Shopify store and retrieves essential shop details like store name, email, and configuration settings. No manual configuration is required - the step runs automatically when the form is submitted. The retrieved shop data gets passed forward to personalize email signatures and internal notifications with your actual store name.

Retrieve Order

App connector: Shopify • Time to complete: 0 minutes (Auto-configured)
Why this matters: This fetches complete order details using the order ID from the form submission to access customer information, product details, and order value needed for return processing.

This step takes the order ID captured in the form and retrieves the full order record from Shopify, including customer contact details, order total, line items, and order date. The system automatically uses the order ID from the form submission to make this lookup. This comprehensive order data feeds into the spreadsheet tracking, customer email, and team notification steps that follow.

Add Row

App connector: Google Sheets • Time to complete: 2 minutes
Why this matters: This creates a permanent record of the return request in Google Sheets for tracking, reporting, and managing your return process efficiently.

This step adds a new row to your specified Google Sheets spreadsheet with order name, creation date, total price, and return reason. You'll need to connect your Google Sheets account and specify which spreadsheet and worksheet to use for tracking returns. The system automatically maps the order data and form responses to the correct columns, creating an organized log of all return requests for analysis and follow-up.

Send Email

App connector: Email • Time to complete: 1 minute
Why this matters: This sends an immediate acknowledgment to the customer confirming their return request was received and sets expectations for next steps.

This step composes and sends a personalized email to the customer using their email address from the order record. You can customize the subject line and email message, with the system automatically inserting the customer's name, order number, and store name. The default message acknowledges the return request and promises follow-up communication, helping maintain customer satisfaction during the return process.

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Send Message

App connector: Slack • Time to complete: 1 minute
Why this matters: This immediately alerts your team to new return requests so they can take prompt action and provide excellent customer service.

This step sends a formatted message to your designated Slack channel or email with key return details including order number, order value, and return reason. You'll configure your Slack channel or email destination and can customize the message format. The notification includes all essential information your team needs to quickly assess and process the return request without having to look up additional details.

Ready to set this up? It only takes 8 minutes.

Our support team will even help you personalize this workflow for free.

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Make it your own!

Customize this workflow even further:

Create conditional return handling
Set up different approval processes based on order value or return reason, automatically approving low-value returns while flagging expensive items for manual review.
Generate return shipping labels
Connect to shipping providers like ShipStation or Easyship to automatically create prepaid return labels and email them directly to customers.
Update inventory levels automatically
Link returned items back to your inventory management system to adjust stock levels when returns are processed and items are restocked.
Deploy AI for return fraud detection
Use AI agents to analyze return patterns, customer history, and order details to flag potentially fraudulent return requests for additional verification.

Common questions

Will this work for partial returns when customers only want to return some items from their order?

Can I set up different return policies for different product types or price ranges?

What happens if a customer submits multiple return requests for the same order?

Ready to start receiving automated returns when customers submit requests?

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Need help? Our automation experts will help you personalize this workflow for free. Contact support