Merchandise return system with value added returns processing (dispositioning)
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, performed by a returns provider, of handling customer returns of items on behalf of multiple merchants, comprising the steps of:
- storing a set of item merchant returns rules in a processing system, such that a set of returns rules is associated with each merchant, receiving packages containing returned items at one or more returns centers;
wherein affixed to each package is a printed label, the label having machine readable data representing at least the identification of a merchant associated with the returned item;
scanning the machine readable data on each package;
correlating at least a portion of the machine readable data with a set of returns rules; and
differentiating packages for further disposition, based on the results of the correlating step.
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Abstract
A method that facilitates customer returns of merchandise. The method makes use of a distributed system of returns centers. Customer returns are made using machine readable return labels. The labels are addressed so that they are initially shipped to a returns center closest to the customer, thereby enabling “reverse zone skipping”. The labels also identify the package, such as by invoice number. Once a package is received at the returns center, the label is scanned into a processing system that also stores various returns “rules”, including rules for dispositioning returns.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method, performed by a returns provider, of handling customer returns of items on behalf of multiple merchants, comprising the steps of:
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storing a set of item merchant returns rules in a processing system, such that a set of returns rules is associated with each merchant, receiving packages containing returned items at one or more returns centers;
wherein affixed to each package is a printed label, the label having machine readable data representing at least the identification of a merchant associated with the returned item;
scanning the machine readable data on each package;
correlating at least a portion of the machine readable data with a set of returns rules; and
differentiating packages for further disposition, based on the results of the correlating step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20)
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18. A method, performed by a returns provider, of handling customer returns of items on behalf of multiple merchants, comprising the steps of:
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storing a set of item merchant returns rules in a processing system, such that a set of returns rules is associated with each merchant, receiving packages containing returned items at a returns center;
wherein affixed to each package is a printed label, the label having machine readable data representing at least the identification of a merchant associated with the returned item;
scanning the machine readable data on each package;
correlating at least a portion of the machine readable data with a set of returns rules;
opening the package to reveal the item;
scanning item-level machine readable data associated with the item;
correlating the item-level machine readable data with the set of returns rules; and
differentiating packages for further disposition, based on the results of at least one of the correlating steps. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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21. A system for handling customer returns of items on behalf of multiple merchants, the returns being made by customers in packages having machine readable labels, comprising:
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a number of return centers, having at least a scanning station for scanning the machine readable label;
a sorting station for sorting the packages; and
an examination station for determining the final disposition of the item; and
a processing system for storing return rules from each merchant, for receiving the machine readable data from the scanning station, for linking the package identification with the rules of a particular merchant, and for transmitting return rules for display at one or more of the return center stations;
wherein the return rules specify at least how the package is to be dispositioned. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A merchandise return computer system, comprising:
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at least one client system programmed to acquire machine readable return label data, the return label data containing at least merchant identification data; and
a rules processing system programmed to receive the return label data from the client system, to access the a set of merchant return rules, and to match return rules to return data, and to deliver at least one rule to the client system. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A merchandise return computer system for enabling a customer to return a package containing one or more items previously acquired from a merchant during a unique transition, the system comprising:
a label generating process for generating return labels, the label containing a shipping destination and integrated machine readable data representing at least a shipping origin of the package and identification of a merchant. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A computer storage medium containing programming, the programming operable to:
generate return labels, the label containing a shipping destination and integrated machine readable data representing at least a shipping origin of the package and identification of a merchant. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A computer storage medium containing programming, the programming operable to:
acquire machine readable return label data, the return label data containing at least merchant identification data;
to access a set of merchant return rules, and to match the return rules to the return data.
Specification