Measure campaign performance when refunds are uneven

Compare order cohorts after different products finish their return windows.
Assign refunds to the original cohort
Keep original order date and refund date. Use the refund date for cash reconciliation and assign the adjustment to the original cohort when judging acquisition performance.

Compare mature windows
A product with a 45-day return cycle cannot be compared fairly with one already settled after 14 days using both at day 20. Mark each cohort’s maturity and show provisional estimates separately.
Inspect the source of the difference
Group by product, promotion, and acquisition source. A sharp return rate can reflect product fit or delivery expectations. Verify reason data before attributing the issue to an ad.
Try a related tool
Compare revenue per advertising dollar with the return needed to cover ad spend. Enter net revenue and contribution margin before ads.


