In plain English
The key idea is the seller's go-ahead. It refers to approval for the customer to send the purchased goods back.
In context
Here, "return authorization" names the retailer's approval of the customer's requested return.
- Situation
- Requesting returns, exchanges, refunds, replacements, and store credit
- What it communicates
- Names the retailer's approval for a requested return.
Meaning limits
By itself, the term does not state any result beyond that approval.
Examples
“She asked to return the kettle, but she did not have a return authorization yet.”
“After reviewing the complaint, the retailer issued a return authorization for the coat.”