Merchandise return and/or exchange systems, methods, and media
Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed that provide a merchandise return and/or exchange process for items purchased from brick-and-mortar and/or e-commerce stores. In some embodiments, a mobile computing device of a customer may determine whether the mobile computing device and therefore the customer are in a defined zone for a store. In response to determining that the mobile computing device is in the defined zone, the mobile computing device may notify the customer and request whether the customer wishes to initiate a return and/or exchange of purchased items to the store. The mobile computing device may notify a merchandise pickup system of the customer's desire to return the purchased items.
1. A method, comprising:
receiving a selection, made by a consumer on a mobile communication device, of an item to be returned to a store;
receiving an input, via the mobile communication device, of information identifying the vehicle that is used to return the purchased item;
monitoring a global location of the mobile communication device;
determining the mobile communication device is in a defined zone outside of the store by:
monitoring a signal transmitted from a transmitter of the store,
detecting the defined zone according to the monitored signal, and
comparing the monitored global location of the mobile communication device to the defined zone;
presenting, via the mobile communication device, a notification to initiate the return, wherein the notification is removed if the mobile communication device leaves the defined zone before initiating the return;
upon initiating the return, starting a timer; and
presenting an elapsed time via the mobile communication device.
2. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
upon initiating the return, presenting targeted content to the customer via the mobile communication device.
3. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
upon initiating the return, presenting directions, for executing the return, to the customer via the mobile communication device.
4. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
altering one or more operating characteristics of the mobile communication device in response to receiving a confirmation for the return.
5. A non-transitory computer readable storage device comprising a plurality of instructions, that in response to being executed, cause a mobile communication device to:
transmit a selection, made by a consumer on the mobile communication device, of an item to be returned to a store;
communicate, via the mobile communication device, information identifying the vehicle that is used to return the purchased item;
communicate a global location of the mobile communication device, wherein entry a defined zone outside of the store is confirmed by:
detecting the defined zone according to a monitored signal from a transmitter at the store, and
comparing the global location of the mobile communication device to the defined zone;
receive a notification to initiate the return, wherein the notification is removed if the mobile communication device leaves the defined zone before initiating the return; and
display a timer, upon the return being initiated.
6. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 5 , wherein the mobile communication device is caused to:
present targeted content to the customer, upon the return being initiated.
7. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 5 , wherein the mobile communication device is caused to:
present directions, for executing the return, to the customer, upon the return being initiated.
8. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 5 , wherein the mobile communication device is caused to:
alter one or more operating characteristics of the mobile communication device in response to a confirmation of the return.
9. A system, comprising:
a mobile communication device; an application for the mobile communication device, wherein the application in response to being executed, causes the mobile communication device to:
transmit a selection, made by a consumer on the mobile communication device, of an item to be returned to a store;
communicate, via the mobile communication device, information identifying the vehicle that is used to return the purchased item;
communicate a global location of the mobile communication device, wherein entry a defined zone outside of the store is confirmed by:
a detection of the defined zone according to a monitored signal from a transmitter at the store, and
a comparison of the global location of the mobile communication device to the defined zone;
receive a notification to initiate the return, wherein the notification is removed if the mobile communication device leaves the defined zone before initiating the return; and
display a timer, upon the return being initiated.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the mobile communication device is caused to present targeted content to the customer, upon the return being initiated.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the mobile communication device is caused to present directions, for executing the return, to the customer, upon the return being initiated.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the mobile communication device is caused to alter one or more operating characteristics of the mobile communication device in response to a confirmation of the return.