While leveraging Custom Reports, you may notice that Polar Analytics has both "Order "Order Processed Date" and "Processed Date" available as breakdowns. The distinction between "Order Processed Date" and "Processed Date" primarily comes into play when analyzing data related to orders and returns.
Order Processed Date: This breakdown refers to the date when the initial order was processed and confirmed.
Processed Date: This breakdown represents the date when any order adjustment (such as a return or exchange) made on the order was processed. In the case where the order has no order adjustments, the Processed Date will remain consistent with the Order Processed Date.
Key Takeaway: In essence, the critical difference lies in the context in which you're analyzing the data:
For orders, both "Order Processed Date" and "Processed Date" will be identical, signifying the date when the original order was processed.
For returns, "Order Processed Date" remains the date when the initial order was placed, while "Processed Date" reflects the date when the return request was handled, adjusted, or completed. It essentially indicates the date of the most recent event related to the order, which could be the order being processed, adjusted, or returned.
Pro Tip: Keep in mind that you can leverage these breakdowns in a report on Returns to analyze the average time between initial order and return processing. This can help you gain insight into the average amount of time customers wait prior to finalizing a return with your store.