Claims
- 1. A method for handling of a return item from a customer, said item obtained from a provider and delivered in a package to said customer, comprising the steps of:
picking up said package from said customer; affixing identification means to said package; verifying integrity of said item; arranging for further disposition of said item to another customer; and delivering said item to said another customer without said item returning to said provider.
- 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps of picking, affixing, verifying, arranging, and delivering are performed by a postal service.
- 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of picking up further comprises the steps of said postal service contacting said customer, prior to picking up said package, and arranging for a mutually convenience pick up time and place.
- 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said identification means comprises a transponder.
- 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said identification means comprises a bar code.
- 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of verifying integrity is performed without opening said package.
- 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of verifying further comprises the step of exposing said package to radiation whose detection from said package provides sufficient information to verify integrity of contents of said package.
- 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said radiation are x-rays.
- 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of verifying integrity is performed by opening said package and inspecting contents thereof.
- 10. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of valuating said item.
- 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of arranging for further disposal further comprises the steps of:
indicating value of said item, based on said valuating, to said provider; deciding, at said provider, whether said value warrants return of the item to its manufacture or conveying said item to an auction house with said value; and if said item is conveyed to said auction house, instructing said postal service to performing conveying.
- 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said postal service conveys said items to said auction house only after a predetermined number of conveying orders have been received and wherein said another customer is a highest bidder at said auction house.
- 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said auction house comprises an online auction house.
- 14. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of generating an order by said provider to said postal service to pick up said item and package.
- 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said order is an electronic order and initiated by customer dissatisfaction with said item.
- 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said order is an electronic order and initiated by customer failure to properly compensate said provider for said item.
- 17. The method according to claim 13, wherein said postal service comprises said auction house.
- 18. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of verifying integrity is performed by weighing said package.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application Number PCT/DE01/01386, filed Apr. 9, 2001. Priority is further claimed to priority German patent application number DE 10017574.0, filed 10 Apr. 2000. The aforementioned references are incorporated herein by reference