Write a clear ecommerce returns policy page

What does this setup do?

Draft a returns and refund policy page that answers shopper questions in plain language, with you and a lawyer approving the final wording.

Who is it for?

Online store owners who need a returns policy without hiring a lawyer for the first draft.

How do you set it up?

Tools

• A ChatGPT or Claude account (free tier works)
• Your actual return terms: window, condition rules, exclusions, who pays return shipping
• Your refund method and timing (store credit, original payment, how many days)
• A lawyer or legal template service for final review

Steps

1. List your real terms first: return window in days, acceptable condition, final-sale exclusions, and who pays for return shipping.
2. Add how a return starts (email, form, portal) and what the customer must include.
3. State the refund method and timing plainly, for example refund to original payment within a set number of business days.
4. Have the AI draft the page in short sections with one heading per question shoppers ask.
5. Check the draft against the FTC's mail-order rule: if you promise a shipping time, you must meet it or offer cancellation and a prompt refund.
6. Get a lawyer to review the final page before it goes live, then link it from the footer and checkout.

Draft a returns and refund policy page for my online store in plain language.

My terms:
- Return window: [number of days from delivery]
- Item condition required: [e.g. unworn, tags attached, original packaging]
- Final sale items: [categories that cannot be returned]
- Who pays return shipping: [me / the customer]
- How returns start: [email address / form / portal]
- Refund method and timing: [e.g. original payment within 5 business days of receiving the return]

Write short sections with one heading per question: How long do I have? What condition must items be in? What can't be returned? Who pays for return shipping? How do I start a return? When and how do I get my refund?

Rules: use only my terms above. Do not invent policies, timelines, or legal claims. Mark anything that needs a lawyer's review with [LEGAL REVIEW]. Show me the draft first. This is a first draft only; a lawyer reviews before publishing.

Which chat tools work with this prompt?

Paste the prompt into any of these assistants (free or paid tiers).

• ChatGPT
• Claude

What tips make it smoother?

• Put the return window and who pays shipping in the first two lines; that is what shoppers scan for.
• Match the policy to what you actually do; a policy you cannot honor creates disputes.
• Link the policy from the footer, the product page, and checkout so it is findable before purchase.

Where do the claims come from?

Summaries use public sources linked below, not independent verification. How setups are picked.

• Read Federal Trade Commission’s write-up (www.ftc.gov)

  Federal Trade Commission: The mail-order rule: ship within the stated time or 30 days, seek consent for delays, and give a prompt refund when the customer cancels.

• Read ReturnPrime’s write-up (www.returnprime.com)

  ReturnPrime: Seller-side basics: ship on time or notify, keep listings accurate, and follow the FTC rule on refunds for unshipped merchandise.