In this article, learn about:
The different types of deductions at Dicks Sporting Goods
What the dispute process entails
What eSettlements are
Common acronyms used in Dick’s Sporting Goods documentation
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Being a supplier for Dick’s Sporting Goods means that your products are reaching customers all over the country. But with that opportunity comes the need to stay on top of the operational side of the partnership, including shipping accuracy, invoice matching, and documentation compliance.
Even when everything is set up correctly, issues can still come up. A return might be processed incorrectly, a pricing mismatch might trigger a short payment, or a shipment might be flagged for a compliance error. These situations often result in deductions. If left unaddressed, these deductions can quietly cut into your margins. That’s why it’s important to know what’s being deducted, why, and how to respond when something doesn’t look right.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common deduction types at Dick’s Sporting Goods, and provide guidance on managing and disputing deductions through their eSettlemet portal.
Most Common Deduction Codes at Dick’s Sporting Goods
When a payment from Dick’s Sporting Goods doesn’t match the invoiced amount, chances are a deduction will be applied. A deduction is a reduction in payment made by the retailer, usually tied to specific issues like returns, pricing differences, or compliance violations.
Each deduction type is associated with a code that helps explain why the payment was short. These codes appear in remittance details or within the eSettlement portal and can often be traced back to a specific root cause.
Below is a breakdown of the most common deduction types suppliers may encounter when working with DSG.
Deduction | Codes | Format | Definition |
Defective Return | RTV # 57, 357, 657, 857, or 1057 / Return Authorization # | RTV stands for “Retu rn to Vendor.” The prefix (e.g., 57) indicates the return type. It's followed by the DSG return number and the vendor's return authorization, separated by a slash. For example, 57-1234566/3231209. | Deductions taken when products are returned due to quality or defect issues. |
Claim Accommodation Return (Return Product from Stock) | RTV # 58, 358, 658, 858, or 1058 / Return Authorization # | Similar to the above but used for stock return claims. This includes both DSG’s return number and the vendor’s RA number. | Deductions made when product is returned from store inventory and DSG is accommodating the return. |
Volume Rebate | VR2025_00000XXXXX | "VR" refers to Volume Rebate. The year is embedded in the prefix (e.g., 2025), followed by a sequential invoice ID. | Discount deductions based on volume agreements between the supplier and DSG. |
Audit Claim | #####CA | “CA” at the end signals an Audit Claim. The digits typically start with the last 2 digits of the fiscal year (e.g., 25 for 2025) followed by a claim reference. For example 252345CA. | Deductions issued as a result of internal or external audits. Usually applies to the previous fiscal year. |
New Store Discount | New Store Discount with the Store # | A regular description with the DSG store number at the end. | Allowances given for stocking or supporting new store locations. |
Defective Allowance | DEFALLOWYYYY_### | “DEFALLOW” indicates Defective Allowance. The year (YYYY) is followed by a claim number. For example, DEFALLOW2025_0000001263. | Agreed upon percentage deductions to account for potential product defects. |
BDF | BDFYYYY_### | “BDF” stands for Business Development Funds. It includes the year and a unique transaction ID. | Funds allocated to support marketing, promotions, or other business activities. |
Short Payment | ###### | This is a general deduction invoice with only digits. | The invoice was partially paid, often due to discrepancies in quantities, prices, or receiving issues. |
Denied Invoice | ######DEN | The numbers before “DEN” reference the original invoice that was late. | Invoice was rejected and not processed, often due to duplicate, missing, or incorrect documentation. |
Duplicate Invoice | #####DUP | The numbers before “DUP” reference the original invoice that was duplicated. For example, 12345DUP. | Invoice was submitted more than once and rejected as a duplicate. This results in a $25 charge. |
Late/Missing Invoice | #####LMI | The numbers before “LMI” reference the original invoice that was late. | Invoice was submitted late or never received. This results in a $25 charge. |
Compliance | Code varies: AA#######OR /A-AA-######## | Different prefixes identify the charge type and system used. | Chargebacks due to issues with shipping, labeling, or packaging requirements. |
All of these deduction types are available to dispute in Dicks Sporting Good’s eSettlement vendor portal except for denied invoice, duplicate invoice, late/missing invoice, and compliance.
Dicks Sporting Goods eSettlement Portal
The Dick’s Sporting Goods (DSG) eSettlement portal is designed to give suppliers better visibility into payments, deductions, and invoice activity. While some deductions must be disputed outside of the portal, the eSettlement platform is still a useful resource for tracking transaction history, accessing remittance details, and managing supplier information.
How to Login to eSettlement Portal
To access the above information, navigate to the eSettlements portal or contact eSettlements@dcsg.com.The portal will take you to a Microsoft login, where you can sign in with your DSG username and password.
Once inside the portal, suppliers will have access to:
View Payments
The payment section of the portal gives suppliers visibility into payment history and remittance details. Suppliers can search using reference numbers or filter by date to find relevant transactions. Remittance information can also be exported into Excel for reporting or reconciliation purposes. Remittance information refers to the detailed breakdown of a payment, including which invoices were paid, how much was paid for each one, and any deductions or adjustments applied.
Manage Invoices
Suppliers can view invoice status and access deduction documentation through the invoice management page. Some of the key features on this page include:
Searching for specific invoice numbers
Viewing deduction details by selecting invoice links
Receiving short pay letters by email, organized by invoice or check
Finding the payment reference number tied to each invoice
Only processed invoices will appear in this section.
Update Supplier Information
The portal also provides a way for suppliers to submit updates to company information, including business name, mailing address, or contact details. All submitted changes are reviewed by DSG’s Vendor Management team, who may reach out for confirmation before applying the updates.
Monitor Supplier Announcements
Dick’s Sporting Goods shares important notices and updates through the portal. This section includes operational changes, policy updates, or reminders that could impact supplier workflows. Checking this area regularly can help suppliers stay aligned with DSG’s expectations.
Monitor Supplier Dashboard
The Supplier Dashboard offers access to several reporting tools. Suppliers can retrieve documentation and details related to:
Invoice payment schedules
Short pay and deduction activity
RTV (Return to Vendor) debit memos
Promotional funding and allowances
Defective Allowance and BDF (Business Development Funds) PO backup
Self-Service Invoicing
Some non-merchandise suppliers may qualify to submit invoices directly through the portal. This feature is limited to select vendors, and those eligible will be contacted by DSG’s Expense Payables team with setup instructions.
In addition to invoice and payment tools, the portal allows suppliers to search by chargeback number or date range. Vendor-facing documentation and guides are also available in the portal to support internal processes and improve clarity on DSG requirements.
What Can’t Be Disputed in eSettlement
While the eSettlement portal provides visibility into many types of deductions, there are a few exceptions that require action through other channels. These specific deduction types are not eligible for dispute within the portal itself:
Denied Invoice
A denied invoice means that Dick’s Sporting Goods has reviewed the submitted invoice and rejected it for payment—usually due to missing or incorrect information. These deductions won’t show full backup in eSettlement, and they can’t be disputed there.
How to resolve:
Email the DSG team at Correspondence@dcsg.com with details about the invoice (invoice number, PO, and deduction reference) to understand the reason for the denial and request further guidance.
Duplicate Invoice
If an invoice is submitted more than once, DSG issues a $25 chargeback labeled as a duplicate. This typically happens when the same invoice number is uploaded twice or a correction is submitted without proper formatting.
How to resolve:
Reach out to MerchandiseAcctsPay@dcsg.com with the invoice number and supporting details to confirm whether the charge is valid and, if applicable, request a reversal.
Late or Missing Invoice
Invoices that are submitted after DSG’s required timeline—or not submitted at all—can trigger a $25 deduction.
How to resolve:
Email MerchandiseAcctsPay@dcsg.com with the deduction reference and invoice details. If the invoice was submitted on time or there was a system issue, include that context in your outreach.
Compliance Deduction
Compliance-related chargebacks are tied to violations of Dick’s operational standards—such as improper labeling, missed delivery appointments, or packaging issues. These charges may appear with prefixes like AA, A-AA, LR, or N-EP and are tracked outside of eSettlement.
How to resolve:
Visit www.dsgfreight.com to review documentation related to compliance deductions. For further support or to dispute a charge, email the DSG compliance team at VendorRelationsComplianceTeam@dcsg.com.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Acronym List
Dick’s Sporting Goods uses a wide range of acronyms across invoices, portals, and documentation. To help make sense of the terminology, here’s a quick reference list of common acronyms suppliers are likely to encounter.
Acronym | Meaning |
ACH | Automated Clearing House (electronic payments system) |
AP | Accounts Payable |
ASN | Advanced Shipping Notice |
BDF | Business Development Funds |
BOL | Bill of Lading |
C2FO | Collaborative Cash Flow Optimization (early payment marketplace) |
CINSB | Cancel If Not Shipped By (a date requirement on POs) |
DC | Distribution Center |
DCs | Distribution Centers |
DSG | Dick’s Sporting Goods |
EDI | Electronic Data Interchange |
LMI | Late/Missing Invoice |
MFA | Multi-Factor Authentication |
ORAD | Operational Returns Authorization Denial (deduction code context) |
POD | Proof of Delivery |
PO | Purchase Order |
RA | Return Authorization |
RTV | Return to Vendor |
TMS | Transportation Management System |
UCC128 | Uniform Code Council Label (used in shipping and logistics) |
VAS | Value Added Services |
VR | Volume Rebate |
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