When you migrate or consolidate Shopify stores connected to Ingrid Returns, you need to plan for existing returns, refunds, configuration and carrier integrations during the transition.

In short:

Merchants moving from one Shopify store to another, or consolidating several Shopify stores into one, can keep processing returns for orders placed in their legacy stores during a transition period.

Because refunds in Shopify are processed against the original store where the order was placed, the legacy Shopify store and its Ingrid Returns integration need to stay active while legacy orders are still eligible for returns.

During the transition, customers use the Returns Portal connected to the store where they placed their order. Once the return eligibility period for all legacy orders has passed, the legacy setup can be retired.

A Shopify store migration or consolidation changes which Shopify store receives new orders. It does not move the relationship between existing orders and their original Shopify store. Ingrid Returns therefore treats legacy and new orders as separate flows during the transition period.

There are two common scenarios:

In both cases, the legacy Shopify integration should stay active for as long as Ingrid Returns needs to trigger refunds for orders placed in that store. The store receiving the migrated markets or new orders also needs to be configured for those orders: return rules, markets, translations, portal settings, return addresses and carrier integrations.

Key considerations:

You run several Shopify stores and want to consolidate them into one existing store.

From the migration date, all new orders for the affected markets are placed in the consolidated store. The legacy stores stay connected to Ingrid Returns during the transition, so customers can return existing orders and refunds can still be triggered against the original Shopify orders. Customers with legacy orders keep using the Returns Portal connected to the store where they placed their order.

Before the migration, recreate the relevant return rules, translations, return addresses, portal settings and other configuration from the legacy setups in the consolidated setup.

You replace an existing Shopify store with a new one.

First, connect the new Shopify store to Ingrid Returns by installing the Ingrid – Returns and Exchanges app in it. This is the same installation process as for any other Shopify store. Once the app is installed, the new shop is created and connected to Ingrid Returns, and you can start configuring it.

The old and new Ingrid Returns setups run in parallel during the transition. Orders placed before the migration date use the legacy Returns Portal, and orders placed after it use the new portal.

Before go-live, configure the return rules in Price Setups, markets, translations, return addresses, portal settings and any other relevant settings in the new shop. Then Ingrid can help configure or move the carrier integrations and credentials. Test the complete return flow before directing customers to the new Returns Portal.

Once legacy orders are no longer eligible for return and all outstanding legacy returns are handled, the old setup can be retired.

If complaints are enabled, consider how long customers need to be able to register complaints for legacy orders. Keeping the legacy store and integration active lets these orders continue through the original flow.

Legacy order information can also be made available directly in Ingrid Returns after the original store is disconnected. This lets a return order and return shipment be created for the customer. However, it does not restore the connection to the original Shopify store, so refunds can no longer be triggered automatically against that Shopify order.

The transition is usually simpler. The legacy setup only needs to cover the return eligibility period and any outstanding returns. Once that period has passed and the remaining returns are processed, the legacy portal and integration can be retired.

Before you start, decide the date from which new orders will be placed in the new or consolidated Shopify store.

For example, you can show this on your returns page:

Before moving traffic to the new setup, review the configuration of the store that will receive the new orders. You are responsible for configuring these settings in Ingrid Returns. Depending on the migration, this may include:

Settings from legacy stores are not transferred automatically, whether you consolidate stores or move to a new one. Review the existing configuration and recreate the relevant rules and settings in the store that will receive the orders, so customers ordering after the migration date get the intended return experience and eligibility rules.

If carriers configured for a legacy store need to be available for orders in the new or consolidated store, the carrier integrations and credentials may need to be moved or configured for that setup.

Ingrid will help with this part of the migration. Once you have configured the markets, Price Setup rules, translations, return addresses and other settings and are ready for the transition, contact Ingrid. Carrier configuration should be completed and tested before the new setup goes live.

Scenario: a merchant runs several Shopify stores and consolidates them into one existing store from a set migration date.

Result: existing orders complete their return and refund flow through the right Shopify store, while new orders use the consolidated configuration.

Scenario: a merchant closes an existing Shopify store and replaces it with a new one.

Result: customers can keep returning legacy orders during the transition, while the new Shopify store runs with its own complete Ingrid Returns configuration.

Can I disconnect the legacy Shopify store right after the migration?
No, not while legacy orders can still be returned. Refunds are processed against the store where the order was placed, so the legacy integration needs to stay active for automatic refunds.

Does migrating order data to the new store move the refunds too?
No. Migrating order information to another store does not move the original refund relationship. Refunds still belong to the original store.

What happens to refunds if the legacy integration is no longer active?
Refunds for legacy orders need to be handled separately. Legacy order data can be made available in Ingrid Returns to create returns and shipments, but this does not enable refunds against a disconnected Shopify store.

Are my Returns settings copied to the new store?
No. Return rules, markets, translations, return addresses and other settings are not transferred automatically. Review and recreate them in the new or consolidated store.

How long should the transition period be?
At least as long as your return window, plus extra time if you accept complaints for legacy orders.

Who sets up the carriers for the new store?
Ingrid helps move or configure carrier integrations and credentials. Contact Ingrid once your Returns configuration is ready, and test before go-live.