what is the difference of using a return authorization versus just a credit memo

AI generated answer (using internal Slack threads):

The difference between using a Return Authorization and just a Credit Memo in NetSuite lies in the purpose and the process involved. A Return Authorization is used when a customer wants to return a product. It is the first step in the return process and is used to authorize the return of the items. It includes details about the items being returned, the reason for the return, and the amount to be refunded. It also allows for the tracking of the returned items back into inventory. If you want to include shipping costs in the Return Authorization, you can create a Shipping Cost item and add it to the Return Authorization. On the other hand, a Credit Memo is used to reduce the amount that a customer owes or to refund a customer's money. It is typically used after a Return Authorization, once the returned items have been received and inspected. The Credit Memo is then applied against the customer's balance or refunded to the customer. In terms of inventory management, if an inventory item is on a Credit Memo, it will modify your actual inventory position. If you want to adjust the inventory upon return of the order, you would typically go through the Return Authorization process and then have an item receipt attached to that. The Credit Memo flow is more for capturing the refunded amount. In summary, a Return Authorization is used to authorize and track the return of items, while a Credit Memo is used to reduce a customer's balance or refund their money. Both are part of the return and refund process, but they serve different purposes and are used at different stages of the process. ****** Disclaimer: This response was generated by an artificial intelligence assistant based on previous conversations from multiple Slack channels, and may contain inaccuracies or mistakes. ******