The present invention provides a computer
system (the “
System”, or the “Return
System”) that is configured and programmed to provide online stores with a fast, simple, convenient way for eCommerce customers of an online store to return merchandise purchased from that store from within that online store. The Return
System provides multi-carrier shipment rating, shipment labeling, shipment tracking, shipment tracking management reports, returns analysis and returns management reporting In an exemplary embodiment, the Return System has three major components: 1.) A Returns Manager Subsystem that provides a
user interface to each Merchant to setup the Merchant's account, setup the Merchant's return policy and rules, and to monitor the status and movement of return shipments; 2.) A
Consumer Returns Subsystem (also sometimes referred to as a “Customer Returns Subsystem”) that provides each
consumer using the Returns System with an online
user interface that leads the
consumer through the returns process, displays the return policies and rules to the
consumer, provides shipping document to ship the return
package if appropriate, and permits the consumer to track their return shipments; and 3.) a Returns
Processing Subsystem that, in the exemplary embodiment, provides background shipping and tracking functionality. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the Online Merchant integrates the Merchant's online
system with the Returns
Processing Subsystem. In another exemplary embodiment, the Returns
Processing Subsystem is provided as an independent web-based application service (referred to as a “Return Merchant
Service System”) operated by a common provider. In such an embodiment, the Merchant'
s system interacts with the Return Merchant
Service System through Application Program Interfaces (“API”).