Initial Idea Presentation for CS410 Instant Receipt Tracker Online Database Fall 2009

2 Outline Introduction Problem Statement Customer Current Return Policies Solution Solution Process Diagram Competition Hardware/Software Benefits Potential Problems References

3 Introduction Computer Science Major Graduating in May 2010 Currently working as a government civilian for SPAWAR –Supporting Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN)

4 Problem Statement Consumers usually purchase products without the intent of having to return them. Thus, causing them to discard of the receipt. However, sometimes products need to be returned (i.e. clothes not fitting properly, malfunctioning equipment, etc.). In some cases, receipts are required to return a product. Therefore, if you don’t have the receipt, you are stuck with a product that you do not want.

5 Customer Any consumer, currently possessing a credit/debit card, that wishes to automatically retain copies of receipts For example, this would include frequent shoppers of Overstock.com, Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy, etc.

6 Current Return Policies Overstock.com – “up to a 30% restocking fee for some open, used, or late items” 1 Target –“technically offers no returns without a receipt, but has an undisclosed policy of allowing a limited number” 1 –90 days from purchase 2 Wal-Mart – 90 days from purchase 2 Best Buy 3 –14 days for computers, monitors, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, and radar detectors –30 days for all other products –in some instances, a restocking fee applies

7 Solution Utilize credit card machines that are currently in place at retail stores When a consumer purchases products with a credit/debit card, the information on the receipt for the transaction would automatically be stored in a online database Consumers would subscribe to this database, thus having the receipt information readily available

8 Solution Process Diagram Consumer makes a purchase Purchase information is sent to bank Bank processes information and stores receipt information in an online database Consumer is able to view receipt information using a web interface

9 Competition Handheld receipt scanner –Allows you to scan receipts easily Pro – do-it-yourself tool Con – not as instantaneous or readily available as the Instant Receipt Tracker Online Database

10 Hardware/Software Utilize existing credit card machines in retail stores Database to store receipt information Web interface for consumer access Anticipated Cost: –~$10K This includes initially designing and building the database and web interface for consumer access

11 Benefits Instantaneous recording and storing of receipt information Easily accessible via a web interface No more losing receipts Able to return items even though you don’t have a hard-copy of the receipt Essentially – more money in your pocket

12 Potential Problems Businesses may not want to support the bank offering a service that may potentially decrease their revenue. –Example: If customers actually use this product, they will always have a means to return an item. Whereas, if they didn’t have this product and lost their receipt, the business would benefit.

13 References policies-the-2007-fine-print/ policies-the-2007-fine-print/ 3 tId= &id=cat tId= &id=cat12098