Price stabilization for extended services coverage

• US 20080027740A1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Pridgen, Jeffrey Lynn, Chilcoat-Dowdy, Cynthia
• Application Number:
  US11/495,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20080027740A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce

Abstract

A system is disclosed that provides price stabilization for extended services coverage of a product. The system has a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a first value associated with an extended services coverage of a first product. The processor is also configured to determine a set of second values associated with the first product, the set of second values reflecting values associated with the extended services coverage, and determine a third value based on the first value and the set of second values. The processor is further configured to determine a final value for the extended services coverage of the first product based on the first value and the third value, and provide the final value to an entity. The final value is for use in a transaction package involving the extended services coverage for the first product.

Claims

1. A method for providing price stabilization for extended services coverage of a product, comprising:

determining a first value associated with an extended services coverage of a first product;

determining a set of second values associated with the first product, the set of second values reflecting values associated with the extended services coverage;

determining a third value based on the first value and the set of second values to determine whether the first value is within a range defined by the set of second values;

determining a final value for the extended services coverage of the first product based on the first value and the third value; and

providing the final value to an entity for use in a transaction package involving the extended services coverage for the first product.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the set of second values associated with the first product is determined by collecting data associated with one or more second products.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the set of second values includes one or more of a minimum value or a maximum value.

4. The method as in claim 1, wherein determining the final value includes determining a difference between the first value and the third value.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein determining the final value includes determining the final value as a combination of the first value and the third value.

6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the third value reflects one or more of a supplement, a buy down, a write off, or a price support associated with the extended services coverage for the product.

7. The method as in claim 1, wherein the third value reflects one or more of a rebate or a refund associated with the extended services coverage for the product.

8. The method as in claim 1, wherein the final value reflects a cost of the extended services coverage for the product.

9. The method as in claim 1, wherein the final value reflects a price for the extended services coverage of a product.

10. A system for providing price stabilization for extended services coverage of a product, comprising:

a memory including program code for providing price stabilization for extended services coverage; and

a processor configured to execute the program code to determine a first value associated with an extended services coverage of a first product, determine a set of second values associated with the product, the set of second values reflecting values associated with the extended services coverage, determine a third value based on the first value and the set of second values, determine a final value for extended services coverage of the product based on the first value and the third value, and provide the final value to an entity for use in a transaction package involving the extended services coverage for the first product.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the set of second values associated with the first product is determined by collecting data associated with one or more second products.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the set of second values includes one or more of a minimum value or a maximum value.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to determine the final value reflecting a difference between the first value and the third value.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to determine the final value reflecting a combination of the first value and the third value.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the third value reflects one or more of a supplement, a buy down, a write off, or a price support associated with the extended services coverage for the product.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the third value reflects one or more of a rebate or a refund associated with the extended services coverage for the product.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the final value reflects a cost of the extended services coverage for the product.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the final value reflects a price for the extended services coverage for the product.

19. A method for providing price stabilization for extended services coverage of a product, comprising:

determining whether a first value for an extended services coverage for a first product is within a determined range of second values;

if the first value exceeds the range of second values;

determine an offset value,

apply the offset value to the first value to determine a final value,

if the first value is below the range of second values;

determine an incentive value,

apply the incentive to the first value to determine a final value; and

provide the final value to an entity for use in a transaction package involving the extended services coverage and the first product.

20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the final value reflects one of a cost or a price for extended services coverage for the first product.