Patent ID: 6269344
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: G06Q,G07F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of reducing unauthorized returns of purchased products from a first location to a second location, comprising:(a) maintaining a product information database remote from the first location for each purchased product, wherein the product information database includes return criteria for purchased products;(b) transmitting unique product identification information from the first location to a host system having access to said product information database, wherein the unique product identification information uniquely identifies a product for which a return is sought;(c) using the host system to access the product information database to determine a return criteria for the product based on the unique product identification information;(d) determining whether the product qualifies for return based on the return criteria;(e) transmitting to the first location a return qualification message if the product qualifies for return; and(f) accepting the product for return at the second location if the return qualification message has been transmitted to the first location.