Once a customer registers a withdrawal, the original order moves to Withdrawal pending status and a linked withdrawal order is created. From here, the merchant inspects, edits and finalises the withdrawal from the WooCommerce admin.

The Withdrawal order

Each return is stored as a separate order with the type shop_order_withdrawal.

The withdrawal order:

• Inherits its number from the parent order, optionally with the configured prefix and a sequence: {original_order_number} {prefix} {withdrawal_number}.
• Lists the items the customer selected, including quantities.

You can open a withdrawal order from the parent order’s Withdrawals metabox or by browsing the Withdrawal Orders list.

The Withdrawal button on the parent order

On any On hold, Processing, Return pending or Completed order, a Withdrawal button is shown next to the WooCommerce Refund button.

This lets a merchant start a withdrawal on the customer’s behalf – useful for withdrawals reported by phone or email. The flow is the same as the customer-facing one and produces the same withdrawal order.

Completing a withdrawal

To finalise a withdrawal:

1. Open the withdrawal order.
2. Adjust quantities or amounts if needed.
3. Use WooCommerce’s normal Refund button to issue the refund if needed.
4. Optionally tick Restock refunded items so stock is increased.
5. Mark the withdrawal order as Completed.

When the withdrawal is completed:

• If payment has been made, a refund is created on the parent order for the refunded amount.
• The Withdrawn column on the parent order updates to show how many of each line item have been withdrawn.
• The parent order’s status is updated according to the Completed withdrawal order status setting. If set to Do not change order status, the parent order is left as it is.

Email notifications

Two emails ship with the plugin:

• Customer registered withdrawal – sent to the customer when a withdrawal is registered.
• Admin registered return – sent to the shop manager when a withdrawal is registered.

Both can be enabled, disabled and styled under WooCommerce → Settings → Emails, like any other WooCommerce email.

Their content uses the same placeholders as the post-confirmation text – see Withdrawal form text and placeholders.