Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method for purchasing a product in an electronic commerce environment includes, conducting a product search from a catalog to obtain a product from the catalog, and purchasing the product by placing an order. In another embodiment, a system for providing the capabilities for purchasing a product in an electronic commerce environment includes, one or more storage devices for enabling a product search to be conducted from a catalog to obtain a product from the catalog and for purchasing the product by placing an order.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for handling a merchandise return request from a customer of a merchant. The method includes receiving customer identification data, the customer identification data being capable of uniquely identifying the customer among customers of the merchant. The method further includes receiving a return transaction definition, the return transaction definition includes at least one of a problem type parameter and a return transaction type parameter. The method additionally includes automatically ascertaining, from a database of items previously ordered, a set of return-eligible items. Each return-eligible item in the set of return-eligible items represents an item of merchandise previously ordered by the customer that conforms to the return transaction definition and predefined return-related business rules of the merchant.