Voice recognition method and apparatus using model number lookup

1. A system for use in obtaining return qualification information for a consumer-type product on behalf of a consumer using a non-unique product identifier, the system comprising:

at least one processor;

a subsystem operable to prompt a user for the non-unique product identifier, wherein the non-unique product identifier identifies the product as a member of a defined product group;

a product registration database including a plurality of different, non-unique product identifiers;

a return policy storage location including return policies for each of the non-unique product identifiers, one or more of said return policies being at least partially dependent on a last date associated with at least one of the products identified by the non-unique product identifier; and

an arrangement operable to look up a specific return policy for the non-unique product identifier entered by the user and provide information to the user regarding return qualification for the product identified by the non-unique product identifier,

wherein the at least one processor of the system is configured to make a return qualification of a first product having a non-unique identifier based at least in part on a last date for accepting a return by the consumer associated with a second product having the same non- unique identifier.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the non-unique product identifier is a product model number.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the non-unique product identifier is a Universal Product Code (UPC).

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the non-unique identifier is a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).

5. The system of claim 1 , further including a watchdog process that periodically tests the operation of the system.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the last date is a last ship date from a manufacturer to a retailer.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the last date is a last sell-through date at a retailer.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the database includes return qualification information for purchased products.

9. A method of operating a computer system, the method comprising:

storing different non-unique product identifiers into the computer system;

storing a return policy in the computer system for each of the non-unique product identifiers, wherein the return policy defines criteria under which products having the non-unique product identifier associated with the policy are returnable by consumers;

prompting a user for a non-unique identifier associated with a product for which a return is desired;

determining, via the computer system, whether the entered non-unique identifier corresponds to one of the stored non-unique identifiers in the computer system;

obtaining a stored return policy for the non-unique product identifier based on the determination that the entered non-unique identifier corresponds to one of the stored non-unique identifiers in the computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to qualify a first product having a non-unique identifier for return based at least in part on a last date for accepting a return by the consumer associated with a second product having the same non-unique identifier; and

communicating return qualification information based on the stored return policy back to the user through the computer system.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the system prompts the user for a product model number as the non-unique product identifier.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the system includes a product registration database.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the last date is a last ship date from a manufacturer to a retailer for product having a particular non-unique product identifier.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the last date is a last sell-through date at a retailer for products having a particular non-unique product identifier.

14. The method of claim 13 , further including using a watchdog process that periodically tests the operation of the system.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first product is different from the second product.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first product is different from the second product.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second products are sold at different times.

18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and second products are sold at different times.