> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Returning Customer Refund Count: Orders Refunded by Repeat Buyers

> Count orders from returning customers that resulted in refunds. Monitor loyalty program health and identify issues with repeat buyer satisfaction.

<Tip>
  The number of returning customer orders that had a refund issued.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Returning Customer Refund Count** = **COUNT** ( Refunded Orders ) **WHERE** customer\_type = returning\_customer
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                                             | Definition                     |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| [**Refunded Orders**](/reference/metrics/orders/adjustments/refund-count)                          | Orders with refunds issued     |
| [**customer\_type = returning\_customer**](/data-dictionary/measures-and-dimensions#customer-type) | Filters to returning customers |

| Metadata        |                             |
| --------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Type**        | Number                      |
| **Data Source** | [Shopify](/sources/shopify) |
| **Aggregation** | Count                       |

***

## Example

Your store had **89 returning customer refunds** this quarter:

| Channel   | RC Refunds | RC Orders | Refund % |
| --------- | ---------- | --------- | -------- |
| Meta Ads  | 38         | 720       | 5.3%     |
| Email     | 32         | 850       | 3.8%     |
| Organic   | 19         | 430       | 4.4%     |
| **Total** | **89**     | **2,000** | **4.5%** |

***

## How It Works

This metric counts orders placed by repeat customers that Shopify marks as refunded. A customer is classified as "returning" when they have at least one prior order in your Shopify store. The count includes full and partial refunds.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                    | Action                                          |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Monitoring loyalty health   | Compare RC refund count to NC refund count      |
| Evaluating product changes  | Track if updates increase refunds from regulars |
| Calculating refund rate     | Use as numerator in Returning Customer Refund % |
| Identifying retention risks | Rising counts may signal declining satisfaction |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                                                 | Relationship                             |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| [Returning Customer Refund %](/reference/metrics/orders/adjustments/returning-customer-refund-percent) | This count divided by RC orders          |
| [Returning Customer Refunds](/reference/metrics/orders/adjustments/returning-customer-refunds)         | Dollar amount (this metric is the count) |
| [New Customer Refund Count](/reference/metrics/orders/adjustments/new-customer-refund-count)           | Same metric for first-time buyers        |
| [Refund Count](/reference/metrics/orders/adjustments/refund-count)                                     | Total refund count (all customers)       |

[See all Adjustments metrics →](/reference/metrics/orders/adjustments)