Bad gifts may be history with Amazon's idea

December 29, 2010 By BARBARA ORTUTAY , AP Technology Wrter

Bad gifts may be history with Amazon's idea (AP)

In this Nov. 11, 2010 photo, Leacroft Green places a package to the correct shipping area at an Amazon.com fulfillment center, in Goodyear, Ariz. Amazon.com, the source of many presents good, bad or ugly, has patented a system that would let people exchange unwanted gifts for those they want before anything is actually shipped. For now, though, it's just a patent, so until Amazon figures out how to implement it, you may be stuck with that itchy sweater from grandma. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP) -- For some, it's the red reindeer Christmas sweater. For others, it's the diamond-encrusted dreidel. Whatever your worst gift nightmare might be, Amazon may soon give you a reason to cheer.

Amazon.com Inc., the source of many presents good, bad or ugly, has patented a system that would let people exchange unwanted gifts for those they actually want - even before they get them.

For now, though, it's just an idea, so until Amazon figures out how to implement it, you may be stuck with that itchy sweater from Grandma, even if she bought it online.

Amazon did not return messages to speak about its plans.

Based on Amazon's patent filing, recipients of unwanted gifts would be able to exchange Amazon-bought items for something of equal value, pay the difference for a more expensive item or get a gift certificate.

They could do this before they actually receive the gift, thus saving themselves the hassle of re-packaging and mailing the unwanted present.

If they wish, recipients could even send a thank you-note for the original gift. They can disclose to the sender that their gift has been converted, or simply keep it from them and just hope they don't ask about it later.

If there's a friend or family member with a history of giving unwanted presents - the filing calls her "Aunt Mildred" - users could select to convert all gifts from this person into something else.

Amazon says its idea would benefit gift-givers as well, as they can take a chance on a more interesting gift knowing that it can be returned.

A charity could also use it to streamline donations, according to the patent filing. For example, a children's charity asking for mittens could have donations stop once they have 100 pairs. The rest can be converted into hats, scarves or .

Amazon, which is based in Seattle, had applied for the patent in March 2006. The company received it on Nov. 9.

Even if implements the system, it's unclear how many people would use it.

In part because returning gifts purchased online is such a hassle, people who buy presents this way generally make sure it's something the recipient really wants, said C. Britt Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group, a consumer and market research company.

Or they give gift cards.

A decade ago, before gift cards became ubiquitous, about 38 percent of consumers returned presents after Christmas, Beemer said. Last year, this was only about 13 percent. The percentage is even smaller for bought online.

©2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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bottomlesssoul
Dec 29, 2010

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I preferred the old patent process where you had to have a working prototype before application. Amazon can do nothing until the patent expires while profiting on anyone who attempts to realize the idea.

Maybe Edison should have just patented the light bulb instead of putting that enormous effort into realizing it. By his estimate, the idea was 1% of the effort and realization was 99%. Of course we'd all be in the dark now but his life would have been easier.

He was a fool, or maybe we're the fools, I forget which is which sometimes.
wileruilaer
Dec 30, 2010

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What exactly is it that everyone else is now, by patent law, forbidden to do? Return gifts?
Rank 3.5 /5 (6 votes)
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