Patent ID: 8719117

Claim:
A method for managing return-processing of a product of a manufacturer, the method comprising: receiving, at a return-processing server separate from the manufacturer, via a network, information from a database regarding the manufacturer's return procedures for the product; receiving, at the return-processing server, via the network, information from a client system regarding the product, wherein receiving the information comprises receiving an expiration date of the product; determining that the product is short-dated by determining whether a difference between the expiration date and a present date is less than a threshold, wherein the threshold is a period of time less than a year; in response to determining that the product is short-dated: transmitting instructions for placing the product in a donation database, and receiving a request from the client system to place the product in the donation database; determining, at the return processing server, an amount to be credited in an electronic debit invoice; creating, at the return-processing server, the electronic debit invoice, wherein the electronic debit invoice includes debit authorization for creating an electronic debit in accordance with the information regarding the manufacturer's return procedures for the product and the information received from the client system regarding the product; and storing the electronic debit invoice in a debit invoice database accessible by the manufacturer for processing return credit.