Internet-based system and method for electronically fulfilling purchase orders for chemical and plastic products

• US 20030130900A1
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ian G. Telford, Mack D. Murrell, Philippe Raynaud De Fitte, Phillip H. Cook
• Original Assignee: Ian G. Telford, Mack D. Murrell, Philippe Raynaud De Fitte, Phillip H. Cook
• Inventors: Murrell, Mack D., Cook, Phillip H., Telford, Ian G., de Fitte, Philippe Raynaud
• Application Number:
  US10/044,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20030130900A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

An Internet-based, web-based computerized system and method of buying and selling a commodity-type product useful in manufacturing and processing industries including the steps of:

(a) providing a web site system offering products that includes a browsable catalog of the products and provides services for allowing customers to electronically choose and purchase the products at a pre-established price and on a self service basis a 24 hour per day, 7 day per week, 365 days per year basis (excluding acceptable network and system downtime);

(b) requiring the customer to agree to an initial purchase agreement for said products, said purchase agreement containing a first set of pre-established terms and conditions and a second set of surcharge-bearing terms and conditions which are activated and implemented upon the purchaser requesting modification of the first set of terms and conditions after the initial purchase order is submitted electronically by the customer and accepted by the manufacturer of said products;

(c) transacting a sale of the product and/or other products of the catalog with the customer through the web site system; and

(d) completing the transaction by fulfilling the purchase order based on the initial purchase agreement or any modification thereof.

The present portiche system and method of the present invention utilizes the Internet and web site to market and sell products on a global basis; and allows buyers, manufacturers and distributors of goods, particularly in the chemical, plastic and process industries, to conveniently participate in the e-commerce marketplace with minimal disruption to existing direct and distribution channels.

Claims

1. A web-based method of buying and selling a commodity-type product useful in manufacturing and processing industries comprising:

(a) providing a web site system offering products and services that includes a browsable catalog of the products and that provides services for allowing customers to electronically choose and purchase the products at a pre-established price and on a self service basis;

(b) requiring the customer to agree to an initial purchase agreement for said products, said purchase agreement containing a first set of pre-established terms and conditions and a second set of surcharge-bearing terms and conditions which are activated and implemented upon the customer requesting modification of the first set of terms and conditions after the initial purchase order is submitted electronically by the customer and accepted by the manufacturer of said products;

(c) transacting a sale of the product(s) of the catalog with the customer through the web site system; and

(d) completing the transaction by fulfilling the purchase order based on the initial purchase agreement or any modification thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the web site is constantly active.

4. The method of claim 1 including transmitting to the customer a confirmation that the order has been received.

5. The method of claim 1 including transmitting to the customer a confirmation that the order has either been confirmed or rejected.

6. The method of claim 1 including transmitting to the customer a confirmation that the order has been shipped.

7. The method of claim 1 including receiving and processing payment for the product purchased by the customer.

8. The method of claim 7 including transmitting to the customer a confirmation that the payment has been received.

9. The method of claim 1 including a plurality of different products from a plurality of different manufacturers.

10. The method of claim 8 including having each manufacturer fulfill each of their own products after the initial order is received via the web site.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the initial terms and conditions of the contract include quantity, price, use of promo code (where decided appropriate by manufacturer) and delivery.

12. The method of claim 1 including the step of registering the customer electronically on the web site.

13. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing promo codes for certain products.

14. The method of claim 1 including the step of applying a surcharge to a particular order or subsequent order.

15. The method of claim 1 including the step of communicating the differentiated business rules per channel to the industry, via media, sales, distributors, agents, e-mail, advertising, or by word-of-mouth.

16. The method of claim 1 including the step of enforcing the differentiation of business rules and discipline to enforce surcharges where appropriate to enforce said differentiation.

17. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing one set of global business rules and terms and conditions in English and translating the English language into one or more different languages.

2. A web-based sales system to allow an Internet user to purchase a commodity-type product useful in manufacturing and processing industries comprising:

(a) a web site system offering products and services that includes a browsable catalog of the products and that provides services for allowing customers to electronically choose and purchase the products at a pre-established price and on a self-service basis;

(b) an initial purchase agreement for said products, said purchase agreement required to be agreed to by the customer, said purchase agreement containing a first set of pre-established terms and conditions and a second set of surcharge-bearing terms and conditions which are activated and implemented upon the purchaser requesting modification of the first set of terms and conditions after the initial purchase order is submitted electronically by the customer and accepted by the manufacturer of said products;

(c) means for transacting a sale of the product and/or other products of the catalog with the customer through the web site system; and

(d) means for completing the transaction and fulfilling the purchase order based on the initial purchase agreement or any modification thereof.

18. A method of selling a bulk chemical product comprising:

(a) providing a web site system offering bulk chemical products that includes a browsable catalog of the bulk chemical products and that provides services for allowing customers to electronically purchase the products;

(b) receiving orders electronically via the web site system;

(c) providing a customer with a business agreement with a set business rules specifying legal terms for purchasing the products;

(d) sending confirmation of order to the customer after customer accepts the business agreement;

(e) transacting a sale of the products and/or other items of the catalog with the customer through the web site system;

(f) shipping out product to the customer through normal distribution channels;

(g) sending confirmation of shipment to the customer;

(h) sending confirmation of customer receiving order to the customer after customer receives and accepts shipment of product;

(i) receiving and processing payment for product by customer; and

(j) sending confirmation of payment to the customer.

19. A method of selling product by multiple manufacturers of bulk chemical products via the Internet in e-commerce comprising:

(a) establishing a host web site for product offerings;

(b) signing manufacturers onto the host web site;

(c) taking orders from customers at pre-established contract terms and conditions;

(d) fulfilling orders at the established contract price; and

(e) delivering product to the customers by normal distribution channels.

20. A method of selling a bulk chemical product comprising:

(a) establishing a web site system offering products that includes a browsable catalog of bulk chemical products and that provides services for allowing customers to electronically purchase the products;

(b) receiving orders electronically via the web site system;

(c) providing the customer with a business contract with a set of pre-established business rules specifying legal terms for purchasing items;

(d) sending confirmation of order to the customer after customer accepts contract;

(e) transacting a sale of the product and/or other items of the catalog with the customer through the web site system;

(f) shipping out product to the customer through normal distribution channels;

(g) sending confirmation of shipment to the customer;

(h) sending confirmation of customer receiving order to the customer after customer receives and accepts shipment of product;

(i) receiving and processing payment for product by customer; and

(j) sending confirmation of payment to the customer.

21. A method of selling product by multiple manufacturers of bulk chemical products via the Internet in e-commerce comprising:

(a) establishing a host web site;

(b) signing manufacturers onto the web site;

(c) taking orders from customers at a pre-established contract terms and conditions;

(d) fulfilling orders at the established contract price; and

(e) delivering product by normal distribution channels.