Returns management systems and methods therefor
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for handling a merchandise return request from a customer of a merchant, comprising:
- receiving customer identification data, said customer identification data being capable of uniquely identifying said customer among customers of said merchant;
receiving a return transaction definition, said return transaction definition includes at least one of a problem type parameter and a return transaction type parameter; and
automatically ascertaining, from a database of items previously ordered, a set of return-eligible items, each return-eligible item in said set of return-eligible items representing an item of merchandise previously ordered by said customer that conforms to said return transaction definition and predefined return-related business rules of said merchant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented method for handling a merchandise return request from a customer of a merchant. The method includes receiving customer identification data, the customer identification data being capable of uniquely identifying the customer among customers of the merchant. The method further includes receiving a return transaction definition, the return transaction definition includes at least one of a problem type parameter and a return transaction type parameter. The method additionally includes automatically ascertaining, from a database of items previously ordered, a set of return-eligible items. Each return-eligible item in the set of return-eligible items represents an item of merchandise previously ordered by the customer that conforms to the return transaction definition and predefined return-related business rules of the merchant.
96 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for handling a merchandise return request from a customer of a merchant, comprising:
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receiving customer identification data, said customer identification data being capable of uniquely identifying said customer among customers of said merchant;
receiving a return transaction definition, said return transaction definition includes at least one of a problem type parameter and a return transaction type parameter; and
automatically ascertaining, from a database of items previously ordered, a set of return-eligible items, each return-eligible item in said set of return-eligible items representing an item of merchandise previously ordered by said customer that conforms to said return transaction definition and predefined return-related business rules of said merchant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-implemented returns management system for handling merchandise return requests from customers of a merchant, comprising:
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a plurality of tables implemented in a relational database;
a user-interface module configured to interact with one of a customer of said merchant and a customer service agent of said merchant, said user-interface module being configured to receive customer identification data and a return transaction definition associated with a request for merchandise return from a customer associated with said customer identification data; and
a business logic module communicably coupled with said user interface module and said plurality of tables, said business logic module including computer instructions for ascertaining whether an item of merchandise previously purchased by said customer is eligible for return based on said return transaction definition and predefined return-related business rules of said merchant. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer-implemented returns management system for handling merchandise return requests from customers of a merchant, comprising:
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means for storing items previously ordered by customers of said merchant and predefined return-related business rules of said merchant;
means for receiving customer identification data and a return transaction definition associated with a request for merchandise return from a customer associated with said customer identification data; and
means for ascertaining, based on said return transaction definition and said predefined return-related business rules of said merchant, whether an item of merchandise previously purchased by said customer is eligible for return, said means for ascertaining being communicably coupled with said means for storing and means for receiving. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification