Verzögerte Gutschriften und Forderungslaufzeit durch langsame Remittendenabwicklung

Definition

PRH Distribution’s policy requires that no‑fault returns (damage, duplications, picking errors) be reported within seven days of proof of delivery and returned within 30 days of the returns authorisation date; credits are raised once returns are dealt with to ensure they are processed quickly, fairly and accurately.[1] However, the process relies on bookshops submitting claims via phone or email (Excel/TXT), receiving RAs and labels, shipping goods back, and then waiting for validation and credit issuance.[1] Similar Australian publishers specify that refunds are only issued after the returned book is received and inspected (e.g. BC Publishing, Wilkinson Publishing).[2][5] During this window, retailers frequently net expected credits against open invoices, leading to short‑payments and disputes, or they delay paying until credits appear, effectively increasing the publisher’s accounts‑receivable days and lowering cash flow velocity. In an environment where 15–30 % of units shipped may ultimately be returned and large chains operate on substantial credit limits, even a one‑week delay on credits can tie up hundreds of thousands of dollars in receivables. For a publisher with AUD 10m annual credit sales and an average DSO of 60 days, an additional 5 days of delay attributable to slow returns processing represents roughly AUD 1.37m of extra receivables outstanding (10m × 5/365). Even if only 20–40 % of this is directly attributable to returns timing, that still implies AUD 270k–550k in working capital drag.

Why This Matters

The Pitch: Australian 🇦🇺 book distributors routinely add 5–10 extra days to their time‑to‑cash because returns claims and credit notes are processed only after physical inspection. Automating claim validation and issuing provisional credits based on RA data can release AUD 200k–600k in working capital for a mid‑size list.

Affected Stakeholders

Credit Manager, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Sales Director / Key Account Manager, Bookseller Finance / Accounts Payable, Treasurer / CFO

Related Business Risks