System and method of handling product returns

Abstract

A method and program product for conducting business transactions, transferring product ownership and handling product returns with paperless receipts. Biometric data and product or transaction specific identification information is included with electronic receipts generated for each purchase. The same information may be collected when a product is presented for a return and refund that is based on an electronic or paper receipt. The information collected at the return is compared against the same information in the electronic receipt, automating the return-handling process and reducing the frequency of fraudulent returns.

1 . A method of conducting business transactions, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) presenting an item for return;    b) collecting identification data for said presented item;    c) retrieving an electronic receipt for said presented item;    d) comparing collected identification data against retrieved electronic receipt data; and when compared data matches    e) completing the return of said presented item.    
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step (b) of collecting identification data comprises collecting personal data for a person presenting said item for return.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein personal data comprises biometric data for said person.  
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein personal data comprises a digital image of said person.  
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said electronic receipt includes purchaser personal data collected when said electronic receipt was generated, collected said personal data being compared against said purchaser personal data.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 5 , wherein when compared said personal data fails to match, said method further comprises selectively contacting authorities.  
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step (b) of collecting identification data comprises retrieving a serial number from said item.  
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step (c) of retrieving said electronic receipt comprises retrieving said electronic receipt from electronic storage.  
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said electronic receipt includes purchaser biometric data and one or more serial numbers of purchased items.  
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said electronic receipt indicates transfer of ownership from said purchaser to a second party and the step (d) of comparing collected identification data compares collected said data against date retrieved for said second party.  
     
     
         11 . A method of conducting business transactions, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) presenting items for purchase;    b) collecting identification data for purchase;    c) generating an electronic receipt for purchase of said items;    d) presenting one or more of said items for return;    e) collecting identification data for each presented item;    f) retrieving said electronic receipt;    g) comparing collected identification data for said each presented item against retrieved electronic receipt data; and when compared data matches    h) completing the return of said each presented item.    
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the steps (b) and (e) of collecting identification data respectively comprises collecting personal data for a purchaser and for a returner.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein personal data comprises biometric data for said purchaser and said returner.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein personal data comprises a digital image of a person.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein serial numbers are collected for one or more purchase items in step (b) and for said each item in step (e).  
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the step (b) of collecting identification data comprises identifying ones of said purchase items above a threshold value, said serial numbers being collected for said ones.  
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein when compared said personal data fails to match, said method further comprises selectively contacting authorities.  
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein the step (c) of retrieving said electronic receipt comprises retrieving said electronic receipt from electronic storage.  
     
     
         19 . A computer program product for conducting business transactions, said computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, said computer readable program code comprising: 
 computer program code means for recording information about goods for sale and goods being returned;    computer program code means for generating electronic receipts for each purchase, said electronic receipts including selected recorded information;    computer program code means for comparing said recorded information included on an electronic receipt against said recorded information for said goods being returned; and    computer program code means for indicating a match of compared said recorded information.    
     
     
         20 . A computer program product for conducting business transactions as in  claim 19 , wherein said computer program code means for recording information comprises computer program code means for receiving biometric information about purchasers and returners, received purchaser biometric information being included on each said electronic receipt.