Method and system for empowering purchasers to maximize economies of scale

• US 20060047583A1
• Filed: 08/25/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jim Jacobs
• Original Assignee: Jim Jacobs
• Inventors: Jacobs, Jim
• Application Number:
  US10/926,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20060047583A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0605 Supply or demand aggregation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided wherein participating consumers lower an average cost of a product through purchasing larger packaged quantities of the product in a cooperative though anonymous style arrangement. A list of products is displayed on a terminal for participating consumers. The products include bulk-packaged items, for example a case of ketchup, or cargo ship of grain. Each participating consumer chooses a desired number or amount of an item that comprises the larger packaged product. A controller keeps track of the total number of each item orders such that when a large enough number of the item is requested or ordered, an order is placed to a product distributor. Typically, the larger packaged quantity of the product is ordered when a condition is met. Conditions may include either a deadline closure or when enough single items are requested to equal or exceed the number of items packaged in the larger quantity bulk packaged form.

Claims

1. A microprocessor based process that combines the individual purchasing power of consumers to purchase products in bulk from a wholesaler at a discounted cost that is less than a cost when said products are purchased individually from a retailer of such goods, said process comprising:

displaying products to be purchased in large quantities on a participating consumer'"'"'s terminal;

choosing the desired number of products and using a data entry means to enter a desired quantity;

updating the information entered by the participating consumer, such that the total number of items per product is periodically updated; and

automatically placing an order when a triggering condition occurs.

2. The microprocessor based process of claim 1 further including copying information relating to individual ordered items that comprise a larger bulk unit from a first database to a second database after the triggering condition has been met or flagging information in the first database and thereafter resetting fields in the first database that indicate an ordered amount.

3. The microprocessor based process of claim 1 further including storing unique information relating to participating consumers.

4. The microprocessor based process of claim 1 further comprising allowing a participating consumer to purchase unaccounted for items that comprise a larger bulk unit after a predetermined period of time.

5. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a storage device coupled to said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to allow an anonymous consumer to participate in purchasing individual items from a bulk package comprising the individual items to be sold at a discounted price, said storage device including information relating to individual items to be purchased in large quantities on a consumer'"'"'s display device; and

instructions that cause the processor to copy information relating to accounted for individual items from a first database to a second database, or flag information in a database.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including instructions that determine whether a condition has been met before copying the information relating to accounted for individual items from the first database to the second database, or flagging such information in the database.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further including instructions that allow a consumer to purchase unaccounted for items that comprise a larger bulk unit after a predetermined period of time.

8. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method for processing a transaction, said method comprising:

displaying products to be purchased in large quantities on a participating consumer'"'"'s terminal;

choosing the desired number of products and using a data entry means to enter a desired quantity;

updating the information entered by the participating consumer, such that the total number of items per product is periodically updated; and

,

automatically placing an order when a triggering condition occurs.

9. The medium of claim 8 wherein said method further comprises copying information relating to individual ordered items that comprise a larger bulk unit from a first database to a second database after the triggering condition has been met and thereafter resetting fields in the first database that indicate an ordered amount or flagging such information in the database.

10. The medium of claim 8 wherein said method further comprises storing unique information relating to participating consumers.

11. The medium of claim 8 wherein said method further comprises allowing a participating consumer to purchase unaccounted for items that comprise a larger bulk unit after a predetermined period of time.