Rebate card system

Background of the invention

The traditional system and method of obtaining a rebate is to make a rebate request with the manufacturer (or its) along with other proof of purchase, such as a receipt and / or UPC (Universal Product Code) from the package of the purchased product. Request the purchaser to mail it to the agent). If the rebate request is approved, a check will be mailed to the purchaser. Application inspections often take approximately 90 days, and rebates are often rejected if the application has some formal flaws. Just as a "sale price" attracts consumers, a rebate attracts customers by effectively lowering the price of the item after the rebate. When a merchant enjoys increased sales, but many customers fail to complete and mail the rebate request, or otherwise submit the wrong application for which the rebate is denied, the merchant rebates. Will avoid the cost of.

However, the traditional rebate redemption process involves a considerable amount of time and energy costs on the part of the customer to redeem the rebate check, which is often relatively small compared to the opportunity cost of the customer's time. The not-so-small possibility of refusal of rebates makes the benefits of rebates more uncertain and also reduces the perceived value of rebates to customers and their incentive effects. Due to the well-known processing delays, the perceived profits are further reduced, which also tends to make the value of the rebate considered separately from the regular purchase price.

Outline of the invention

The present invention discloses methods and systems for using rebates cards. In some embodiments, the method relates to initiating a purchase transaction, determining whether the purchase is eligible for a rebate, determining the rebate value based on the purchase, and the rebate card. It may include activating the rebate value in the attached rebate card account and distributing the rebate card to the customer during the purchase transaction.

In some embodiments of the rebate card system of the present invention, the purchaser of a product eligible for rebate may be provided with a rebate card by a retailer. A debit card may have an associated value that may be used for subsequent purchases from that particular retailer only, or instead, from any retailer, and a debit card. The return card may behave like a debit card. The activation of the rebate card may depend on the purchaser who meets the required conditions, such as not returning the product for a certain period of time or purchasing the related goods or services. The value associated with the rebate card may be fixed or may vary based on standards set by the retailer or manufacturer. A value beyond the initial rebate may be associated with the rebate card based on additional purchases of the product or other factors specified by the retailer or manufacturer. In addition, any future transaction with the rebate card may be associated with the initial rebate transaction. This associated data may be shared by the manufacturer or retailer.

In some embodiments according to the present invention, the rebate card system is intended to facilitate the payment of a manufacturer's or distributor's rebate associated with the purchase of a particular product. Traditionally, product buyers wishing to obtain such a rebate mail a coupon to the manufacturer (or contracted agency) with proof of purchase such as a receipt and / or a UPC code from the product package. Must. Products may be goods and / or services.

In some embodiments according to the rebate card system of the present invention, the purchaser of a product eligible for rebate may be provided with a rebate card by a retailer. Rebates cards have an associated value that may be used for subsequent purchases from that particular retailer only, or instead, from any retailer, such as a debit card. May be good. The activation of the rebate card may depend on the purchaser who meets the required conditions, such as not returning the product for a certain period of time or purchasing the related product or service. The value associated with the rebate card may be fixed or may vary based on any measure chosen and specified by the retailer or manufacturer. If the retailer or manufacturer wishes to do so, the value beyond the initial rebate may be associated with the rebate card.

The rebate card itself may be similar to other prepaid cards. A typical rebate card may have a unique identifier that may be included on the magnetic stripe along with other information. The rebate card may also have a barcode containing a unique identifier that assists in entering information into the retailer system. The rebate card may be provided to the retailer by the central card processor in the unactivated state. Alternatively, the rebate card may be affixed to or in the manufacturer's package.

The rebate card may be presented to the purchaser at the time of purchase of a product eligible for rebate, or may be sent to the purchaser later. The card may be activated when it is received by the purchaser or may be activated later. The boot request may be sent from the retailer terminal to the central processor. The launch request may include information about the purchased product. The central processor may match the request received from the authenticated location with the purchase of the product qualifying the purchaser for a rebate, which includes communication with the product distributor. May be good. The central processor may verify that the purchaser meets the required obligation that the retailer or manufacturer links to the activation of the rebate. The central processor may activate the rebate card by setting a value for the card in the database recording associated with the card. The value associated with the card by the central processor may vary based on standards established by the retailer or manufacturer. The central processor may send a confirmation message to the retailer terminal.

Linking rebate activation and rebate value to criteria managed and tracked by a central processor is of great value to retailers, manufacturers and buyers for the following reasons: That is, (i) reduce fraud commonly associated with the distribution of traditional debit cards, (ii) reduce the significant manual labor required of retailers and buyers in the current rebate process, (iii). ) Reduce the time required to process the rebate, (iv) Increase the reliability of the rebate offer. The credibility of traditional models of rebate offerings has recently been put under pressure by law.

Once activated, you can use the rebate card for additional purchases up to the value associated with the card, or for greater value if the purchaser compensates for the difference in value. Can be used. When a purchase is made, the value associated with the card is reduced and additional purchase data may be associated with the initial transaction.

When the rebate request is matched and the rebate value is associated with the rebate card account, the central processor sends information to the seller, manufacturer and / or other guarantor to request payment for the rebate. You may. The amount of the rebate may be returned to the retailer immediately or may be held by the central processor and paid to the retailer when the rebate card value is redeemed.

In some embodiments according to the present invention, the rebate card is not pre-related to a particular product or value, but may have a unique identifier sign. In some embodiments, the already activated rebate card held by the purchaser may have additional value based on criteria set by the retailer or manufacturer. In some embodiments, the additional action must be completed by the purchaser before the rebate card is activated. For example, a buyer may be required to visit a seller's website and complete a questionnaire. When the additional operation is complete, the central processor is informed that the rebate card should be activated.

In some embodiments according to the present invention, rebates cards may be used to obtain additional relevant data. Generally, the manufacturer (distributor) offering the rebate receives restricted data, receipts, UPC labels and the customer's name and address from the customer. By using a uniquely identified rebate card, subsequent transactions with the uniquely identified rebate card can be associated with an initial sale transaction. This type of associated customer behavior information is of great value in marketing and is often not available through other standard rebates systems.

For example, if a customer purchases a computer, the rebate card can later be used for computer-related purchases. Manufacturers will probably learn that computer buyers tend to buy larger monitors a month after the initial purchase of a computer. Manufacturers may use that information to increase monitor sales by targeting computer buyers with coupons or rebates for large computer monitors approximately one month after the initial purchase of the computer.

The following US patents describe the technical status of cards, rebates and incentive systems and are incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,355, 5,202,826, 5,777,305, 5,806,045, 6,330,544, 6,847,935, 6,865,544, 6,918,537.

The following US patent application publications are also incorporated by reference. US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2001/0001856, 2003/0004737, 2004/0064412, 2005/0021400, 2004/013351, 2004/0153402, 2003/0172031, 2005/0051619 No. 2005/0017502, 2005/0060248, 2004/0129777, 2004/0118914, 2004/0195316.

These and other perspectives, along with the drawings, will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments below, which will result in modifications and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the new concepts of the present disclosure.

The present invention will be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description along with the accompanying drawings in which the same reference indicator is used to indicate the same element.

Detailed description of embodiments

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. Any singular term used herein may be interpreted as plural, and instead, any plural term may be interpreted as singular.

In addition, the term "product" may refer to a product or service. The terms "manufacturer" and "retailer" also include service providers. The term "purchase" also includes renting.

The term "card" comprises an identifying mark (such as embossed numbers, coded magnetic stripes, embedded electronic chips, optical codes such as barcodes and other signs known to those of skill in the art). Widely defined as including, but not limited to, plastic cards. The term "card" also includes information storage devices that are not physically card-like in shape, such as memory stripes, USB (uniform serial bus) flash devices, and the like.

Figure 1 is the prior art showing the general process for obtaining a manufacturer rebate. At block 110, the customer purchases a product with a manufacturer rebate.

At block 120, the customer takes the product home, opens the package, removes the UPC from the package, and removes the rebate form from the package. Alternatively, the rebate form may be supplied by the retailer.

At block 130, the customer fills out a rebate form (generally by hand), fills the envelope with the destination address, affixes a stamp, puts a receipt, UPC and rebate form on the envelope, and stamps on the envelope. Paste and mail.

At block 140, the manufacturer (or processing company) receives the envelope, posts the handwritten customer data (minimum name and address) to the database, prints the check, and mails the check to the customer. Checks are typically printed and mailed as part of a folding sheet with cut edges. The coupon may consist of part of an envelope.

At block 150, the customer waits for a check for 4 to 8 weeks and then deposits the check in the bank.

At block 160, the customer waits for the check to be paid and the funds available.

In block 170, the customer spends rebates from his bank account. It should be understood that rebates are cash that can be spent anywhere and that the manufacturer has no idea how these funds are being spent.

Figure 2 is the prior art showing the general process for obtaining manufacturer and retailer rebates from a single product purchase. This process is very difficult to use, time consuming and expensive.

Blocks 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 and 270 are similar to blocks 110-170 in Figure 1 above, except that a copy of the receipt and UPC must be taken at block 220. In addition, there are parallel paths for processing and spending retailer rebates, including blocks 235, 245, 255, 265 and 275.

It should be understood that Figure 2 includes four independent shipments: envelopes to the manufacturer, envelopes to the retailer, envelopes from the manufacturer, and envelopes from the retailer. It should be further understood that parallel paths represent an inefficient duplication of effort at each parallel step.

FIG. 3 shows a broad perspective of many elements of the invention. Embodiments may include some or all the various combinations of these elements.

In block 310, the customer purchases one or more products from the retailer.

In Block 320, rebates may, but are not limited to, be authenticated by one or more of the following various parties:

Manufacturer only Retailers only Manufacturers and retailers · Other parties like the school to school equipment

In block 322, eligibility for rebates may be determined based on, but is not limited to, a variety of factors:

A specific product is purchased A specific combination of products is purchased The minimum total value is purchased · The minimum total value from a particular manufacturer is purchased · Other (for example, do not return the customer identifier or class, or the product for a specific period of time)

In block 324, the amount of rebate may be determined by, but is not limited to, the following various factors:

· Fixed amount associated with eligible product Variable amount (based on rate) that depends on the value of the eligible product Amounts that will be determined later depending on the customer's behavior, such as filling out questionnaires and making choices

In block 326, the rebate card may be given to the customer by the retailer at the Point of Sale, may be affixed to the product, or may be an old rebate card that the customer had.

In block 328, the rebate card may be activated at the Point of Sale or for some of the largest rebates at the Point of Sale (after certain conditions are met, the rest are cards). (May be related to), even if it is not launched until certain conditions are met (such as filling out a survey, purchasing a related product, or not returning a product for a certain period of time) Good.

In block 330, card use may be restricted by, but not limited to, the following specific locations:

-Exactly the same Point of Sale (Retailer A in State E, City D, Street B) · Same retailer (Retailer A at any location) · Some group of retailers (eg, all retailers in a particular mall) Unlimited use, such as bank debit cards

In block 332, the use of the card may be limited to the following specific products: That is, there may be no products from the same manufacturer, accessories associated with the initial purchase (eg, a monitor for the initially purchased computer), or product limitations.

In block 334, the initial rebate request procedure may include, but is not limited to:

The manufacturer must be billed when the customer initiates the purchase and pay the retailer before the rebate card is activated. The manufacturer is charged when the customer initiates the purchase and must pay the third party before the rebate card is activated (in this case, the third party is when the rebate card is used). And will only pay the retailer if the card is not fully used and probably expires after a year, any unused value may be refunded). -The card is activated and the rebate amount is credited to the card account or associated with the card account. -Manufacturers are billed after the card is activated and must pay the retailer or third party immediately or within a commercially reasonable time. The manufacturer is charged when the card is used and must pay the amount used before the transaction is completed. -Manufacturers are billed when the card is used and must pay immediately or within a reasonable amount of time.

In Block 336, the initial purchase transaction information includes products eligible for rebates, rebate amounts, points of sale, dates, other products purchased at the same time, and retailer credits, general credits or debits. If purchased using a card, it may include customer data such as name and address. Initial transaction information may be recorded by the retailer or central processor, may be associated with the customer in the customer database, and may be shared by the manufacturer.

In block 338, after the initial transaction, further follow-up actions may occur, including, but are not limited to:

· Customers may activate an unactivated card by visiting a website (or calling) and providing information such as name and address. · Rebates are determined based on how much information the customer has provided, or based on other factors (eg, name and address earn the minimum rebate and provide an email address) Maximum rebates may be earned by doing and completing a 30-questionnaire). The rebate amount may be determined by the customer's choice (eg, the rebate amount may be the minimum for the rebate in normal use and is from the same retailer or the same manufacturer. It may be intermediate for rebates, but may be maximal for purchasing products from the same retailer and the same manufacturer). Alternatively, or at the same time, the value of the rebate may diminish over time. Retailers or manufacturers may send targeted advertisements, such as sales or coupons, by mail or email.

In block 340, the customer uses a rebate card for additional purchases. Additional purchases may include:

-If the additional purchase is equal to the value of the card, the card will be zeroed. If the additional purchase is more than the value of the card, the customer will make up for the difference with cash, check or credit. If the additional purchase is less than the value of the card, the value is reduced and some value remains on the card (if the value is small, perhaps less than $ 5, the small value is returned to the customer as cash, The card may be zeroed). If the additional purchase is less than the value of the card, some surplus value will be returned to the customer as cash (in this way, the rebate card will only be used for one purchase transaction and will never be reused).

The zeroed card may be closed like a zeroed bank account, or some if the customer receives another rebate and wants to reuse the zeroed card. May be left open for the duration of the period. However, customers may not want to carry a zero-value card unless some additional incentive to reuse the card (such as an increased rebate on the reused card) is provided.

In block 342, when a customer uses a rebate card to purchase an additional product that is eligible for a rebate, an additional rebate is generated by the customer. The additional rebate may be credited to the old rebate card or a new rebate card may be generated. In addition, a bonus rebate or a higher rebate rate may be offered to the customer when the rebate card is also used to purchase additional products that are eligible for the rebate.

Block 344 associates, for example, product identification, rebate amount, amount of other products purchased at the same time, sale date, location of sale, customer identifier and customer during the use of the rebate card for additional purchases. Important information such as other data obtained may be generated.

This purchase information may be as follows.

· Recorded by retailers, central processors or websites · Related to previous transactions that have generated rebates Related to the card Relationship with customers · Shared by the manufacturer

In addition, subsequent transactions with the rebate card may be similarly recorded, associated, shared, and associated with the initial transaction. These subsequent transactions generate relevant information that cannot be obtained by the traditional (prior art) rebate methods of Figures 1 and 2.

At block 346, there may be a follow-up action after the customer makes a purchase using the rebate card. These follow-up actions may be similar to the follow-up actions of block 338 described above. One difference is that at least two transaction data (first purchase and use of rebate card) are now available to determine which follow-up action is desirable. Another difference is that the additional rebate value is based on criteria established by the retailer or manufacturer, such as the purchase of related products over time, or in the case of services, the ongoing customer holdings. Is related to.

In block 348, the card may remain in normal use, the card may be lost, the card may have expired, probably due to one year of inactivity, or the card has been zeroed out. , The account may be closed.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment according to the present invention, where initial eligibility determination and final matching may be performed by a central processor. The manufacturer may receive information about the transaction and may pay the (current) rebate during or immediately after the initial purchase of a product eligible for rebate, or the use of a rebate card. You may pay a rebate (later) in between or shortly after. The specific timing may vary. The manufacturer may pay the rebate directly to the central processor, to the retailer or to a third party.

At Block 410, the customer initiates a purchase of a potentially rebate-eligible product at a retailer's point of sale (POS). This is the first purchase.

In block 412, the retailer evaluates the purchase to the central processor and sends a request to perform the relevant operation.

In block 414, the central processor determines eligibility, determines the rebate amount, determines whether the buyer has met the required obligations, activates the card, associates the purchase transaction information with the card, and retails. You may send the verification to the vendor and the information to the manufacturer. There may be additional "handshake" type communication with the retailer to verify that the card is actually activated.

At block 416, the manufacturer may receive transaction information, including customer information, "currently" (immediately before the card is activated, immediately after the card is activated, or after the card is activated, which is commercially valid. You may pay the rebate (within a reasonable amount of time). Payments may be sent to a third party and stay with the third party while the card is actually in use.

At Block 420, retailers may give customers activated cards, products eligible for rebates and receipts.

At block 430, the customer may use the rebate card to make another purchase (second purchase).

At block 432, the retailer may request the central processor to reduce the value stored in the rebate card account or associated with the rebate card account. If the price of the desired product exceeds the present value of the rebate card, the customer may be required to make up for the difference by using cash or credit. If the price of the desired product is lower than the value of the rebate card, some remaining value may be left on the rebate card, or the remaining value is paid in cash and the rebate card is zeroed or It may be discarded. In addition, retailers may require that any product currently purchased is eligible for a rebate.

At block 434, the central processor may reduce or zero the value stored in the rebate card account or associated with the rebate card account, and rebate information from new transactions and / or previously. It may be related to the transaction that caused the rebate, the verification may be sent to the retailer, or the information may be sent to the manufacturer. In addition, the central processor may determine the eligibility of new products that will be purchased for additional rebates, or (such as customer ownership of related services or purchase of related products). ) Additional value may be associated with the card based on certain criteria established by the retailer or manufacturer.

At block 436, the manufacturer may receive transaction information regarding the use of the rebate card and may pay the rebate during or shortly after the use of the rebate card (after). The manufacturer may pay the full value of the rebate card or the value purchased using the rebate card. The manufacturer may pay the central processor, the retailer or a third party. The manufacturer may pay just before the rebate card purchase is verified, immediately after the rebate card purchase is verified, or within a commercially reasonable time when the rebate card is used. You may pay to.

At Block 440, the retailer returns the card (with reduced value), newly purchased products and receipts to the customer.

In block 450, the customer uses the card for other purchases (third purchases).

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment according to the present invention, in which the retailer determines the rebate eligibility and the manufacturer and the central processor qualify for the rebate before the card is activated. From another point of view, FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 described above.

At block 510, the customer initiates the purchase of a potentially rebate-eligible product at the retailer POS. This is the first purchase.

In block 512, the retailer makes a preliminary decision as to whether the product is eligible for a rebate, verifies the eligibility, activates the card, and sends a request to the central processor to execute the relevant transaction. May be good.

At block 514, the central processor may match eligibility based on several factors and request confirmation from the manufacturer.

At block 516, the manufacturer may confirm eligibility, pay or accept payment, and send confirmation. The manufacturer may pay the rebate "currently" (immediately before the card is activated, immediately after the card is activated, or within a commercially reasonable time after the card is activated). The payment may be sent to a third party and stay with the third party while the card is actually in use.

At block 520, the central processor may send a match, activate the card, and associate the transaction with the card account. The launch may be completed at the time of purchase, or a specific request to not return the product, complete the survey, or, in the case of the service, remain the customer for a specific period of time after installing the service. It may be completed after the purchase, based on what the customer is satisfied with. There may be additional "handshake" type communication with the retailer to verify that the card is actually activated.

At block 522, retailers may give customers activated cards, products eligible for rebates and receipts.

At block 530, the customer may use the card to make another purchase (second purchase).

At block 532, the retailer may request a reduction in the amount associated with the rebate card and qualify the product purchased during the second purchase. If the price of the desired product exceeds the present value of the rebate card, the customer may be required to make up for the difference by using cash or credit. If the price of the desired product is lower than the value of the rebate card, some remaining value may be left on the rebate card, or the remaining value may be paid in cash, no rebate card Is converted or destroyed.

In block 534, the central processor reduces the value associated with the rebate card by up to the amount of the new purchase, associates information about the new transaction with the card or previous transaction, and qualifies for the rebate of the new product. Match and increase the value associated with the rebate card if there is a new rebate.

At block 536, the manufacturer confirms that the new product is eligible, pays or agrees to pay, and sends a confirmation. The payment may be sent to a third party and stay with the third party while the card is actually in use.

In block 540, the central processor sends a match to the retailer to increase the value stored on or associated with the card and transfer the information from the second transaction to the card, to the first transaction or to the customer. It may be related. The central processor may associate additional value with the rebate card based on criteria that are not linked to a particular purchase at the retailer, such as holding a contract with a service provider or upgrading related services. This information may be shared by the manufacturer.

At block 542, the retailer returns the card, purchased product and receipt to the customer.

At Block 550, the customer may use the card for another purchase (third purchase).

In some embodiments according to the present invention, the rebate card system may include: That is, the customer initiates a purchase transaction for one or more products, determines the eligibility of the purchase transaction for a rebate, determines the rebate amount, and the purchaser meets the relevant requirements. Determining if you are, activating the card, and distributing the card to your customers as part of a purchase transaction.

Some embodiments according to the present invention may further include one or more of the following: That is, the customer is physically present at the location of the purchase transaction, the customer is not physically present at the location of the purchase transaction, and determining the eligibility of the purchase transaction for the rebate is determined at the location of the purchase transaction. The eligibility of the purchase transaction for the rebate is determined by the central processor, and the eligibility of the purchase transaction for the rebate is determined at the location of the purchase transaction, matched by the central processor and manufactured by the manufacturer. To determine the rebate value based on the identification of a particular product, to determine the rebate value based on the identification of a combination of products, and to determine the rebate value of a product from a single manufacturer. A card by determining the rebate value based on the total value, determining the rebate value based on the total value of all products, and associating the rebate value with the account associated with the card. To activate, associate purchase transaction information with the account associated with the card, send the associated purchase transaction information to the manufacturer, and physically put the card at the location of the purchase transaction. Distributing the card to the customer as part of the purchase transaction by handing it to the customer, distributing the card to the customer as part of the purchase transaction by shipping the card to the customer along with the purchased product, and retailing Manage card value based on buyers who meet specific requirements set by the vendor and manufacturer, and use rebates for second purchase transactions to relate to rebates It was associated with reducing the value given, associating the second purchase transaction information with the previous purchase transaction information, and sending the associated second purchase transaction information to the manufacturer. Analyze second purchase transaction information, relate additional value based on factors other than later product purchases, and market to customers or other potential customers based on the analysis.

In some embodiments according to the present invention, the rebate card system may include: That is, at the retailer location, the customer initiates an initial purchase transaction for one or more products, the retailer determines the eligibility of the purchase transaction for a rebate, and the retailer or central processor discounts. Determining the rebate amount, sending a boot request from the retailer to the central processor, and verifying that the boot request was received from the authenticated location and that the product is eligible for rebate. To do, the central processor communicates with the manufacturer, retailer or rebate guarantor to ensure that the product is eligible for rebates, to uniquely identify the card and to purchase. Activating the card and initial purchase by verifying by the central processor whether the person meets the specified requirements and by associating the rebate value with the account associated with the card by the central processor. Sending transaction information and payment requests to the manufacturer, retailer or other rebate guarantor, sending a verification message from the central processor to the retailer that the card has been activated, and the same retail as the initial purchase. Restricting the use of the card for purchases by retailers, reducing the value associated with the card when the card is used to make additional purchases, and purchasing products that are eligible for additional purchases. When, or when a customer meets an additional request, increasing the value associated with the card and relating transaction information or other factors from the additional purchase to the transaction information from the initial purchase, and the manufacturer. Sending additional purchase transaction information associated with the retailer or rebate guarantor.

In some embodiments according to the present invention, the purchaser of a product eligible for a rebate may be provided with a rebate card by the retailer. Products eligible for rebates may be goods and / or services. The rebate may be from one or more manufacturers, service providers, or retailers. The rebate card may be associated with the account and the account may be associated with the rebate value. The activation of the rebate card may depend on the purchaser who meets the required conditions, such as not returning the product for a specific period of time or purchasing the relevant product or service. The value associated with the rebate card may be fixed or may vary based on criteria that may be specified by the retailer or manufacturer. The rebate value may be reduced when the rebate card is used for an additional purchase, and the rebate value may be increased when an additional rebate is obtained. Initial purchase transaction information may be associated with the account and may be shared by the manufacturer or service provider. Later purchase transaction information may be associated with the account and may be shared by the manufacturer or service provider.

In some embodiments according to the present invention, multiple rebates may be added to the same rebate card, and rebates from different merchants may be added to the same rebate card at different point of sale. You may. The value of a rebate card can be used to purchase a product that is eligible for a rebate, and therefore it is possible that the same rebate card will be given an additional rebate value. Multiple rebate card values may be used to purchase additional goods or services at a physical store or an internet-accessible online storefront. It is further believed that the rebate card value can be used to credit a variety of other accounts. Various other accounts include, but are not limited to, prepaid telephone accounts and other prepaid accounts.

The systems and methods disclosed herein address the problems mentioned above as well as other problems that exist in the prior art. The various products, methods or devices described in "Background of the Invention" and their drawbacks are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or of products, methods and devices known to the invention. It does not indicate that some or all of the various elements are not included in one form or in the other. In fact, various embodiments of the invention are described in the product "Background of the Invention", retaining some or all of the various elements of well-known products, methods and devices in one form or in the other. It will be possible to overcome some of the shortcomings.

The scope of embodiments of the present invention is not limited by the particular exemplary embodiments described herein. In fact, numerous variants, modifications, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description and accompanying drawings. For example, the various blocks shown in the figure may be omitted and / or reordered.

<figref num="1">Figure 1 shows the prior art of purchasing a product at the manufacturer's rebate.</figref><figref num="2">Figure 2 shows the prior art of purchasing a product with a manufacturer's rebate and a retailer's rebate.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 shows a broad view of the many elements of the invention. Embodiments may include various combinations of some or all of these elements.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 shows some embodiments according to the present invention, in which the final collation is performed by a central processor.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 shows some embodiments according to the present invention, in which the manufacturer confirms the rebate eligibility before the card is activated.</figref>