Facilitating returns of merchandise purchased from other sources

Abstract

A method for handling goods returned by customers of a plurality of different merchants. Merchants who have authorized return of merchandise transmit data identifying the customer and the merchandise to be returned to a central return facility for inclusion in a database. Customers of these merchants package the merchandise to be returned and are provided with a return authorization shipping label by the central return facility. This label includes a scannable bar code identifying the merchant and the customer. After the merchandise is received at the central returns facility, the scannable bar code is scanned so that the merchandise can be sorted by merchant, and the merchandise is then inspected to determine if the merchandise authorized for return has been received. If so, the appropriate merchant is advised, and the customer is electronically credited for the return of the merchandise. A bar code tag is attached to the returned merchandise that has been received to facilitate automated sorting on a conveyer system. The merchandise is thus directed to a storage bin for temporary storage along with other merchandise designated for the same disposition. When a bin is full, the merchandise contained therein is disposed of as designated.