Remote Sales Return Processing via QR Code Pre-Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional merchant return process is inefficient and inconvenient for consumers, often deterring them from returning products due to the need for physical presence and time-consuming navigation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for pre-processing sales returns, allowing consumers to initiate and process returns electronically through a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and processor, using payment and return codes (e.g., QR codes) to facilitate transactions and communicate with merchants and manufacturers, enabling remote return processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If consumers physically visit the merchant store to return products, then the return process can be completed, but consumers must spend time driving, waiting in line, and locating substitutes, increasing inconvenience and time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing return information, generating return codes, and communicating with manufacturers before the consumer physically visits the merchant. The merchant receives return information electronically in advance, allowing them to prepare for the return transaction ahead of time, thus reducing the time and effort required during the actual return process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical presence system with an electronic information transmission system. Instead of consumers needing to physically drive to the store, wait in line, and manually locate products, the system uses electronic communication to transmit return information, generate return codes, and process returns remotely, substituting the mechanical return process with an automated electronic system.
2Ease of operation
If consumers physically visit the merchant store to return products, then the return can be processed, but the consumer must navigate and locate comparable products, increasing operational complexity and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically processing return information electronically without requiring consumer intervention in the complex navigation and product location tasks. The merchant's system automatically receives return information, generates return codes, and communicates with manufacturers, allowing the return process to serve itself rather than requiring active consumer navigation and product search.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic information transmission system that mediates between the consumer and the merchant. This intermediary system handles the complex tasks of return information processing, return code generation, and manufacturer communication, shielding the consumer from the complexity of physical navigation and product location while still achieving the return objective.
3Productivity
If traditional return processes are used, then merchants can process returns, but the process deters consumers from returning products due to inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing return information and generating return codes before the consumer completes the return transaction. This allows the merchant to prepare for the return process in advance, improving efficiency while simultaneously enhancing consumer satisfaction by eliminating the need for inconvenient physical visits and product location tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical return process with an electronic system that improves both productivity and ease of operation. By substituting the mechanical system with electronic information transmission and automated processing, the system achieves efficient return processing while eliminating the deterrents that caused consumers to avoid returns in the first place.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for pre-processing a sales return. The system may initiate a sales return transaction prior to a customer being physically present at a merchant store. To this extent, the system is also capable of transmitting sales return information to a merchant such that the consumer's presence is not necessary in order to process a sales return transaction. Merchants and Consumers may use QR codes to both process payments for sales transactions and initiate sales return transactions.