On-line rules-based return processing

• US 20040143518A1
• Filed: 01/02/2004
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Global Logistics LLC (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Newgistics Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Siegel, Philip S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,380,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A system and method for providing return labels for remotely purchased merchandise. The system and method include the use of a web access tool (such as a web browser) and a web server to receive, from a customer associated with the web access tool, a request to initiate returns processing. The request is then correlated with return rules of a merchant, and the return is processed according to one or more of the return rules. The return rules can determine various return processes, such as validation of the return, notification to the merchant, crediting of the customer'"'"'s account, and/or disposition of the returned item.

Claims

1. A method of using a computer system for on-line processing of merchandise returns, comprising the steps of:

receiving, via the Internet, a return request representing a request by a customer to initiate a return of at least one item of merchandise; and

processing the return in accordance with one or more return rules associated with the merchandise.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step is performed via an Internet access tool associated with the customer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step is preceded by the steps of storing the return rules in a database and of matching the item to the stored rules.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step is performed by determining if the return is valid.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising step of notifying the customer, via the Internet, whether the return is valid.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step is performed by determining disposition of the item.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step is performed by determining a shipping destination of the item.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step is performed by electronically notifying a merchant associated with the return.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step is performed by crediting an account of the customer.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of electronically delivering data about the customer to a merchant associated with the return.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a user interface to the customer, via an Internet access tool, wherein the user interface displays information associated with return of one or more items purchased by the customer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the user interface displays a list of transactions associated with the customer, listing items for potential return by the customer.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of downloading a return label to the customer via the Internet.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of notifying a shipping agent of the return.

15. An on-line merchandise return system, comprising a computer system programmed to:

receive a return request, via the Internet, representing a request by a customer to initiate a return at least one item of merchandise; and

process the return in accordance with one or more return rules associated with the merchandise.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer system is further programmed to access stored return rules associated with the merchandise and match the item to the return rules.

17. A computer product for facilitating online merchandise return services, the computer product having instructions for:

receiving, via the Internet, a return request representing a request by a customer to initiate a return of at least one item of merchandise; and

processing the return in accordance with one or more return rules associated with the merchandise.

18. The computer product of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further for accessing stored return rules associated with the merchandise and matching the item to the return rules.

19. A method of using a computer for online merchandise returns, comprising the steps of:

receiving one or more return rules representing merchandise return policies of a merchant; and

storing the return rules in a database.

20. An on-line merchandise return system, comprising a computer system programmed to:

receive one or more return rules representing merchandise return policies of a merchant; and

store the return rules in a database.

21. A computer product for facilitating online merchandise return services, the computer product having instructions for:

receiving one or more return rules representing merchandise return policies of a merchant; and

storing the return rules in a database.

22. A method of using a computer system for on-line processing of merchandise returns, comprising the steps of:

receiving, via the Internet, a return request representing a request by a customer to initiate a return of at least one item of merchandise; and

electronically notifying a merchant of the return.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of electronically providing the merchant with information about the customer.

24. An on-line merchandise return system, comprising a computer system programmed to:

receive, via the Internet, a return request representing a request by a customer to initiate a return of at least one item of merchandise; and

electronically notify the merchant of the return.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the system is further programmed to electronically provide the merchant with information about the customer.

26. A computer product for facilitating online merchandise return services, the computer product having instructions for:

receiving return rules representing merchandise return policies of a merchant; and

electronically notifying the merchant of the return.

27. The computer product of claim 26, wherein the instructions are further for electronically providing the merchant with information about the customer.