×

Processing a return request

  • US 9,652,732 B1
  • Filed: 11/05/2009
  • Issued: 05/16/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A computer implemented method for processing a return request, the method comprising:

  • receiving data representative of a returning customer;

    receiving data representative of a return request, wherein the return request data is associated with one or more items and includes one or more item identifiers;

    accessing a customer transactions data server and identifying historical transaction data associated with the returning customer from data stored in the customer transactions data server;

    identifying with a sales and returns processing server an item-level return policy associated with the one or more items;

    identifying with the sales and returns processing server a customer-specific set of return privileges selected from a plurality of return privilege tiers, based on the historical transaction data associated with the returning customer, wherein a first return privilege tier includes return privileges for customers having a net spending amount that exceeds a first predetermined value over a predetermined period of time, wherein a second return privilege tier includes increased return privileges for customers having a net spending amount that exceeds a second predetermined value, higher than the first predetermined value, over the predetermined period of time, and wherein a third return privilege tier includes reduced return privileges for customers spending less than a predefined amount over the predetermined period of time;

    optionally identifying a registry-related set of return privileges, based on an association of the returning customer with a gift registry;

    the sales and returns processing server determining a first return authorization decision based on the item-level return policy, the first return authorization decision being a decision to approve or deny the return request;

    the sales and returns processing server determining a second return authorization decision based on the customer-specific set of return privileges, the second return authorization decision being a decision to approve or deny the return request;

    the sales and returns processing server optionally determining a third return authorization decision based on the registry-related set of return privileges, the third return authorization decision being a decision to approve or deny the return request;

    the sales and returns processing server processing the return request based on the first, the second and, if determined, the third return authorization decisions; and

    storing data in the customer transactions data server representative of the processed return request to update the previously identified historical transaction data.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×