Standard Publishing has begun prior approval for product returns. Standard officials said that in an effort to make it easy for customers, a returns authorization form has been added to the company Web site. Customers can also fax, mail or call in their returns and obtain a returns authorization number.

"We believe this step will lead to a more accurate processing of returns and speed up the time that is required to issue credits to our customers," Standard Publishing President Larry Carpenter said. "Our customers are already creating paperwork for their return, so the only additional step is running that list by us in advance and getting a returns authorization number. We will be able to let the customer know in advance if something is not returnable so they can process that product differently."

Standard will offer a six-month grace period in which returns without an authorization number will be accepted, but those returns will be prioritized lowest. Beginning July 1, any return submitted without an authorization number will not be credited.

Karen Grosse, owner of Lighthouse Christian Books in Green Bay, Wis., told Christian Retailing that the change will not impact her orders from Standard. "We are accustomed to having return authorizations needed for music companies and some other vendors, so this change by Standard is not a concern to me," she said. "We do order quite frequently from Standard, but many of their products are children's products which sell regularly, so we never return those anyway."

Grosse added that the change should not impact many retailers. "I realize that some products are not returnable for one reason for another, and it is better to know that before sending it in," she said. "A return authorization form allows you to know exactly what can be returned and what your credit will be. ... I do appreciate that they are allowing a six-month grace period. That will give retailers a chance to get used to sending in the return authorization forms."

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