iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Reviews that mention a return averaged around 1.5 stars lower than other reviews in an analysis of more than 20,000 Trustpilot reviews posted in 2025 for retail companies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Notebookcheck reported the figure from Trustpilot’s DACH Retail Insights 2026; it describes an association in that sample, not proof that returns caused lower ratings or a result that applies to every retailer or market.
Why the customer experience continues after checkout
A purchase is not necessarily the end of a retailer’s relationship with a customer. When an item needs to be returned, the customer still has to find the right instructions, start the process, provide any required information, and learn what happens next. Each step can become another point of friction—and a source of feedback about the retailer.
Notebookcheck’s account of Trustpilot’s DACH Retail Insights 2026 report says reviews mentioning returns averaged around 1.5 stars lower in its analysis. The report used AI-powered analysis of more than 20,000 reviews posted on Trustpilot in 2025 for retail companies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The published account does not state the comparison baseline, detailed methodology, or confidence intervals, so the figure is best read as a reported relationship within that dataset rather than a causal estimate.
Recommended Free Tools
Where return journeys can break down
The problems described in Notebookcheck’s account are often practical rather than abstract: a returns portal may fail, a link may be broken, a document may be missing, or an automated assistant may leave the customer without a useful next step. Any one of these can turn a routine request into repeated effort and uncertainty.
#1 Best Overall
- Bluetooth Wireless Connection: KNAON Bluetooth shipping label printer enables wireless printing. For Mobile users, download the 'FlashLabel Pro' app from APP Store or Google Play for printing. Also, supports Windows and macOS, and can directly connect to the printer by downloading the 'FlashLabel Pro' App. Windows 7 or later computers can also print via Bluetooth by installing the latest advanced driver. Note: All devices CANNOT be connected directly to Bluetooth, and must be used through the 'FlashLabel Pro' app.
- USB Cable Connectivity: This printer ensures seamless USB connectivity with macOS, Windows (7 and above), ChromeOS, and Linux. KNAON printer features a built-in USB drive preloaded with drivers and tutorial videos for a fast and hassle-free setup. For ChromeOS, need to install 'FlashLabel' extension to your Google Chrome.
- Versatile DIY Labeling Options: KNAON Thermal Shipping Label Printer offers a vast selection of pre-designed templates, including 3,000+ templates, 5,000+ icons, and 100+ fonts available in the app. Designed for both professional and personal use, it supports various thermal paper sizes, ensuring effortless customization for all your labeling needs. Ideal for printing DIY shipping labels, barcode labels, thank-you labels, mailing labels, name tags, price tags, and various small thermal labels.
- Seamless Multi-Platform Compatibility: This Bluetooth shipping label printer works effortlessly with all major platforms, including Amazon, eBay, Shopify, USPS, UPS, Etsy, PayPal, Poshmark, DHL, and more, ensuring smooth and efficient label printing. (Note: Save the logistics label as a PDF file on the shipping platforms, then import it into the 'FlashLabel Pro' app for printing).
- Portable & Stylish Design: KNAON multi-function thermal label printer offers user-friendly operation in a compact design. Its perfect size (7.17 x 3.9 x 3.43 inches) makes it simple to store anywhere. With a fast printing speed of up to 180 mm/s and support for paper widths from 1.5 to 4.2 inches. The package also includes 10 test printing papers to get you started right away.
These failures also make after-sales service a test of the retailer’s overall communication. Customers need to know how to proceed, whether their request has been received, and what to expect next. A process that technically accepts returns but leaves those questions unanswered can still feel difficult to use.
Use automation without creating a support dead end
Notebookcheck reports that customers in the DACH context were more critical of AI in complaints, returns, and refunds than in product search and recommendations. That is a qualitative finding in the article, not a quantified split in customer attitudes. It points to a distinction retailers should consider: automation may help with straightforward tasks, while a complaint or refund problem may require explanation, judgment, or reassurance.
Rank #2
- Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity for Flexible Use: The RONGTA RP425 Bluetooth thermal shipping label printer is fully compatible with iOS and Android phones/tablets. Simply download the "RONGTA" App from the App Store or Google Play, connect via Bluetooth through the App, and start printing instantly
- Automatic Label Identification: Rongta shipping label printer automatically detects, grabs, and feeds labels, eliminating manual adjustment hassle. It supports all direct thermal labels with a width range of 0.98" to 4.37", covering common sizes such as 4x6" shipping labels, 2x2" circular labels, 2x1" barcode labels, and 1x1" QR code labels
- Easy Installation for Multiple Systems: The Windows and Mac driver software is available on Rongta official website for easy setup. Compatible with Windows 7 and newer, Mac OS 10.11 and newer, and Chrome OS
- Compact and Portable Design: The Rongta thermal label printer features a space-saving compact build with dimensions of 10.2 x 7.4 x 5.3 inches, making it easy to store anywhere on your desk, in a drawer, or during travel
- High-Speed Printing Performance: Features fast printing speed of up to 150 mm/s with 203dpi resolution and thermal printing method, ensuring efficient label production for warehouses, offices, and on-the-go use
Retailers can use automated tools to guide routine requests, but should make a human escalation route accessible when the tool cannot resolve the issue. The aim is not to remove automation; it is to ensure customers are not trapped repeating themselves or following a dead-end flow when their case needs attention.
How retailers can improve the returns experience
Make it easy to start
Review the return journey from the customer’s perspective. Confirm that the portal opens, links work, instructions are complete, and required documents are available at the point they are needed. Remove unnecessary steps where possible.
Rank #3
- Label maker for Shipping labels & small business labels
- supports multiple-size wide wireless printing
- Download "RONGTA" app for phone to bluetooth print
- Download computer driver for PC/Laptop to USB print
- Inkless Thermal Printing for Sharp Clarity
Send clear, proactive updates
Tell customers when a request has been received and what the next step is. Use plain language and make updates informative enough to reduce uncertainty, rather than sending messages that merely confirm that a process is underway.
Provide a route to a person
Make human help available for complex complaints, returns, and refund issues. If a customer reaches an automated assistant, the path to escalation should be clear when the assistant cannot solve the problem.
Rank #4
- [HIGH TECH LABEL PRINTER] Equipped with a Japanese high tech thermal print head, 203 DPI high printing quality. No ink, No toner, Clean with no mess, economical. Works with both fanfold labels and roll labels. Label size: labels width ranges from 1.57" to 4.1"
- [PRINT WIRELESSLY]The label printer support printing wirelessly. For windows 8 or later and Mac, you can print via Bluetooth. For Android& iOS, you can’t print via Bluetooth on phone, need to download the App "Jadens printer" and print on it.
- [PRINT VIA USB] USB connection works with both Windows (7 and newer) and Mac OS (10.9 and newer) devices. Please long and press the feed button to identify and calibrate label size each time you change labels.
- [WIDE USAGE] JADENS thermal label printer is widely used to print labels from various marketplaces and shipping platforms, such as Endicia, Dazzle, ShipStation, Shipping Easy, Shippo, ShipWorks, Ordoro, eBay, Amazon, Easy, and Shopify. Use JADENS thermal label maker machine to print shipping labels, warehouse labels, market labels, helping increase your productivity. Ideal for your online small business for shipping packages.
- [EASY TO SET UP & RELIABLE AFTER-SALE SERVICE] Set up in one minute. Printer driver, instruction videos and problem shooting videos are provided in U-Disk for better understanding. Offer one year warranty; customer support can be reached out to email, phone, remote control.
Track the experience after the complaint
Review measures that show both how quickly customers receive help and whether the issue reaches a satisfactory resolution:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Return satisfaction
- First response time
- Resolution time
- Escalation rate
- Ratings after a complaint
These measures are operational suggestions reported in Notebookcheck’s account, not benchmarks with published target values. Used together, they can help a retailer identify whether customers are encountering avoidable friction and where the process needs attention.
Best Value
- 【High‑Quality, Energy‑Efficient Thermal Printing】The NULLTONEX shipping label printer uses direct thermal technology, eliminating the need for ink or toner and reducing maintenance and replacement costs. It delivers crisp 203 DPI resolution for sharp barcodes, text, and addresses that scan easily, with print speeds up to 150mm/s (72 labels per minute). Ideal for high‑volume small business shipping, it minimizes downtime during peak hours and boosts operational efficiency.
- 【Bluetooth & USB Dual Connectivity】 Connect seamlessly to your phone, laptop or PC via Bluetooth or USB. Download the free "FlashLabel Pro" app for quick Bluetooth pairing to create and print labels wirelessly. Also, simply use the USB cable to connect directly to your laptop for a steadier, interference‑free office workflow
- 【User‑Friendly Operation】 Easy setup and a dedicated FlashLabel Pro app offer 1,800+ customizable templates, 300+ fonts, and multiple editing tools for everything from daily home organization to express waybill printing. Offline capability allows local storage of templates and designs, so you can start printing immediately without waiting for cloud downloads – perfect for busy small businesses
- 【Wide Compatibility with Popular Shipping Platforms】 Works seamlessly with major shipping carriers and e‑commerce platforms including Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Supports standard 4"×6" shipping labels as well as other sizes from 1.57" to 4.3" wide – ideal for shipping labels, barcode labels, mailing labels, and more.(Note: prints in black & white only)
- 【Durable, Compact & Ready to Use】 Featuring a special matte finish with reinforced coating and a space‑saving design that fits neatly on any desk. Built‑in printhead overheat protection ensures stable long‑run performance. The package includes the thermal printer, power cord, USB cable, and 25 sheets of 4"×6" thermal labels – everything you need to start efficient printing right out of the box
What the 1.5-star figure can—and cannot—tell retailers
The reported gap is a reason to examine the return journey, not proof that a return itself lowers a customer’s rating. The published account does not establish causality, explain the comparison baseline, or show that the same relationship holds outside the analyzed Trustpilot reviews from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Nor does it demonstrate that any particular process change will raise ratings.
The practical case for improving after-sales service is more direct: returns expose customers to portals, instructions, updates, and support at a moment when they need the retailer to follow through. Making those interactions reliable and giving customers a way to reach a person are sensible operational priorities, even while the reported rating difference remains an association rather than a demonstrated effect.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
