Pre-System Returns

When a company starts on Odoo, customers still return goods that were invoiced in the old system, and vendors receive returns of old purchases, so there is no source document to reverse. This module lets warehouse staff validate a direct return picking, and it generates the credit note or debit note with a price taken from the chosen method. It extends Inventory transfers and Accounting invoices, links every generated invoice to its picking, and posts detailed chatter messages. Stock and accounting stay consistent without recreating historical documents.

1. 1

   Configure pricing methods

   In the settings the administrator chooses the price method for pre-system customer returns and for vendor returns. For vendor direct returns a stock policy is also chosen, deciding what happens when available stock is insufficient. The values are stored per company.

   • Customer return pricing method
   • Vendor return pricing method
   • Vendor direct return stock policy
2. 2

   Grant the group

   Users who may create direct returns are added to the pre-system returns group. The Inventory picking form then shows the return option and its fields. Users outside the group keep the standard flow.

   • Group: pre-Odoo returns
   • Return flag visible on picking
   • No effect for other users
3. 3

   Create a direct return picking

   In Inventory the user creates a receipt or delivery and marks it as a pre-system return, then names the partner and the products. The system checks the partner is set and warns when stock links cannot be prepared. Source pickings and invoice lines can be linked for traceability.

   • Flag: is pre-system return
   • Partner is mandatory
   • Source picking count shown
4. 4

   Validate the return

   Validating the picking runs the return logic. For vendor returns the system checks the available quantity and stops with a shortage message unless the policy allows it. It also sets the done quantities and can log negative stock in the chatter.

   • Button: Validate
   • Shortage message for vendor returns
   • Chatter log of negative stock
5. 5

   Price the return automatically

   The system allocates prices by the chosen method, for example last price for the product or remaining allocations from earlier invoices. Each invoice line records the allocation kind and the source or reference line. The product must match the referenced line, otherwise validation fails.

   • Price method per company
   • Allocation kind on each line
   • Product must match source line
6. 6

   Generate the return invoice

   A return invoice is created as a draft credit note or debit note in the right journal and linked to the picking. If no journal is configured a clear error is shown. The user can open it from a smart button on the picking.

   • Draft credit or debit note
   • Smart button to the invoice
   • Error when journal is missing
7. 7

   Trace from the invoice

   On the invoice a counter shows the related return invoices, and buttons open the source picking. When the return invoice is posted the module writes a formatted chatter message. Reallocation logic rebalances lines if quantities are edited.

   • Return invoice counter
   • Open the source picking
   • Chatter message on posting

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