Return of merchandize through third party locations

• US 20020019777A1
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Published: 02/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Michael Schwab, Frederick Odell Hawkes
• Original Assignee: David Michael Schwab, Frederick Odell Hawkes
• Inventors: Hawkes, Frederick Odell, Schwab, David Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/751,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20020019777A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0837 Return transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted

Abstract

A third party establishment (agent) acts as an agent to an e-commerce or catalog merchant (merchant) and processes product returns for that merchant. The agent utilizes a computer system that is linked to the merchant'"'"'s computer system that enables the agent to establish authenticity of the returned item and correlation to an original purchase, further enables the agent to establish whether or the not the return is acceptable per the merchant'"'"'s return policies, and enables the agent, acting on behalf of the merchant, to issue financial credit instantly to the customer, provided the requirements for returning the item are satisfied. The system has the flexibility to then allow the agent to ship the returned product back to the merchant, or, alternatively, to ship the returned product directly to the original manufacturer or supplier (manufacturer). This system reduces handling, shipping and inspection costs and also improves customer satisfaction and loyalty by providing convenient, local return capability with immediate remuneration to the customer'"'"'s financial instrument.

Claims

1. A system using a telecommunications network for the direct physical return of merchandise, purchased by a buyer from a seller of said merchandise through a transaction over said telecommunications network, by said return of said merchandise to a third party at a remote location from said seller and connected to said seller through said telecommunications network, comprising,

a) means for establishing authenticity of said merchandise by a third party at a local location of said third party, through a telecommunications network, for the direct return of said merchandise at said local location of said third party;

b) means for verifying said authenticity of said merchandise, by said seller through said telecommunications network and issuing an authorization for acceptance of said direct return by said third party at said local location of said third party.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising,

c) means for seller to provide to said third party, at said third party location, parameters for said acceptance of said direct return of said merchandise.

3. The system of claim 1, comprising,

d) means for issuing a credit to said buyer for said direct return of said merchandise.

4. A method of using a telecommunications network for the direct return of merchandise, purchased by a buyer from a seller of said merchandise through a transaction over said telecommunications network, by said return of said merchandise to a third party at a remote location from said seller and connected to said seller through said telecommunications network, comprising the steps of,

a) establishing authenticity of said merchandise by a third party at a local location of said third party for the direct physical return of said merchandise, remote from said seller, through a telecommunications network;

b) verifying said authenticity of said merchandise, by said seller through said telecommunications network and issuing an authorization for acceptance of said return by said third party at said local location of said third party.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising the step of,

c) providing to said third party, at said third party location, parameters for said acceptance of said direct return of said merchandise.

6. The method of claim 4, comprising, the step of,

d) issuing a credit to said buyer for said direct return of said merchandise.

7. A program made of a set of signals recorded on a medium for use in operating a data processor connected to a network for telecommunications for the direct physical return of merchandise, purchased by a buyer from a seller of said merchandise through a transaction over said telecommunications network, by said return of said merchandise to a third party at a remote location from said seller and connected to said seller through said telecommunications network, comprising,

a) means for establishing authenticity of merchandise purchased by a third party at a local location of said third party for the direct return of said merchandise, remote from said seller, through a telecommunications network;

b) means for verifying said authenticity of said merchandise, by said seller through said telecommunications network and issuing an authorization for acceptance of said direct return by said third party at said local location of said third party.

8. The system of claim 7, comprising,

c) means for seller to provide to said third party, at said third party location, parameters for said acceptance of said direct return of said merchandise.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising,

d) means for issuing a credit to said buyer for said direct return of said merchandise.