Processing a return request
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a point of return device can be configured to gather information related to a return request and a returning customer. Upon providing the information to an authorization server, the server can identify historical transaction data of the returning customer from data stored in a repository. Based on the historical transaction data and on the return request, the authorization server determines a return authorization decision based on an item-level return policy, another decision based on customer-specific return privileges, and optionally, another authorization decision based on registry-related return privileges. Upon processing the return request based on a selected return authorization decision, data representative of the processed return request is optionally stored in the repository to update the previously identified customer transaction data.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for processing a return request, the method comprising:
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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 Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification