Whether you get disappointed on every holiday season by undesirable gifts? Don’t worry. Amazon is with you to automatically exchange items before you receive them. For this, Amazon.com has filed a patent for returning unwanted gifts before a recipient receives them, a system that would eliminate the need for regifting.

The system allows Amazon members to create a sort of blacklist for gift-givers. When people on the list attempt to send a gift to the member, it triggers an e-mail alerting the member of the action. If the member doesn’t want the gift, he or she can return it before it’s sent. That saves the member the time and hassle of returning the physical gift. It also saves Amazon the cost of processing the return. The company’s patent also includes a system whereby recipients can “check clothes sizes first” to ensure the gift they’re about to receive is the right size. If it is, they’ll receive it. If not, the system will recognize the wrong size and trigger a conversion that changes the gift to another size.

But gift-returns are a costly, time-consuming proposition for both consumers and businesses, said some analysts. In fact, up to one-third of presents purchased online are returned, according to estimates, and Amazon’s system could save billions of dollars once it’s in place. In addition to shipping, e-tailers must deal with labor costs, processing at distribution centers, and, frequently, the losses associated with selling opened products at dramatically reduced prices. This year, shoppers spent about $28 billion online: That means etailers could see up to $9.3 billion worth of returns in the next few weeks.

Though this new system offers some positive sides, it also raised the concern that this system detracts from spirit of gift-giving. Someone is spending their time and energy to choose a gift for their loved ones and they are returning with just a click away. Do you feel something is missing through all these deals? Yes, the passion is missing!

Via informationweek