METHODS FOR SELECTION, PURCHASE AND SHIPPING OF ITEMS FOR SALE

• US 20090254447A1
• Filed: 04/06/2009
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Global Launch Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Global Launch Incorporated
• Inventors: Blades, Rusty A.
• Application Number:
  US12/418,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20090254447A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering

Abstract

Methods for the selection, purchase and shipping of items offered for sale. Said methods are enabled by computer software modules that allow a consumer to: (1) pay for items sold through an e-commerce website by using check and cash payment methods; (2) specify a future payment date and a future shipping date for a designated transaction with an e-commerce vendor; (3) specify a price at which the consumer is willing to purchase a particular item offered through an e-commerce website, after which the website crawls the Internet and automatically purchases the item and/or notifies the consumer if the item is found at or below the specified price; (4) arrange a customized installment payment schedule for purchasing items through an e-commerce website; and (5) create and manage a gift registry with an e-commerce vendor with a great degree of flexibility.

Claims

1. A method for arranging payment by check for the purchase of at least one item offered by a vendor through an electronic commerce website, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by check;

(b) the website providing a billing document that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the billing document and at least one check in the specified amount to a banking affiliate of the vendor; and

(d) the banking affiliate depositing the check into an account maintained by the vendor.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the billing document and to deliver the billing document and said at least one check to the banking affiliate.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the banking affiliate notifying the vendor of the deposit.

4. A method for arranging payment by cash for the purchase of at least one item offered by a vendor through an electronic commerce website, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by cash;

(b) the website providing a payment form that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the payment form and a cash payment in the specified amount to a specified cash processing agent; and

(d) the cash processing agent crediting an account maintained by the vendor with the cash payment.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the payment form and to deliver the payment form and the cash payment to the cash processing agent.

6. The method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising the cash processing agent notifying the vendor of the payment.

7. A method for arranging payment for the purchase of at least one item offered by a vendor through an electronic commerce website, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will pay a total purchase price of said at least one item in a plurality of portions using at least two payment means;

(b) the consumer communicating to the website an amount of each portion of the total purchase price that the consumer will pay using each of said at least two payment means;

(c) the consumer paying each of the specified portions with said at least two payment means;

(d) a vendor shipping said at least one item after a sum of the specified portions paid is equal to at least the total purchase price.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will pay a specified portion by check;

(b) the website providing a billing document that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the billing document and at least one check in the amount of the specified portion to a banking affiliate of the vendor; and

(d) the banking affiliate depositing the check into an account maintained by the vendor.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the billing document and to deliver the billing document and said at least one check to the banking affiliate.

10. The method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the banking affiliate notifying the vendor of the deposit.

11. The method in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will pay a specified portion by cash;

(b) the website providing a payment form that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the payment form and a cash payment in the amount of the specified portion to a specified cash processing agent; and

(d) the cash processing agent crediting an account maintained by the vendor with the cash payment.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the payment form and to deliver the payment form and the cash payment to the cash processing agent.

13. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the cash processing agent notifying the vendor of the payment.

14. A method for arranging a purchase and shipment of at least one item, the method comprising:

(a) on a first date, a consumer specifying a second, later date on which the consumer will pay for said at least one item;

(b) the consumer specifying a third date on which a vendor must ship said at least one item;

(c) the consumer paying for said at least one item on the second date; and

(d) the vendor shipping said at least one item on the third date

wherein the first date is before the third date.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising the vendor monitoring a price of said at least one item and reducing an amount of a payment due from the consumer if the price decreases between the first date and the second date.

16. The method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising the vendor monitoring a price of said at least one item and issuing a refund to the consumer if the price decreases between the second date and the third date, wherein the refund is equal to the difference between the price and the amount paid by the consumer on the second date.

17. A method for arranging a purchase and shipment of at least one item offered through an electronic commerce website, the method comprising:

(a) on a first date, a consumer communicating to the website a second, later date on which the consumer will pay for said at least one item;

(b) the consumer communicating to the website a third date on which a vendor must ship said at least one item;

(c) the consumer paying for said at least one item on the second date; and

(d) the vendor shipping said at least one item on the third date

wherein the first date is different from the third date.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising the website notifying the consumer that payment is due.

19. The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the step of the consumer paying for said at least one item on the second date comprises:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by check;

(b) the website providing a billing document that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the billing document and at least one check in the specified amount to a banking affiliate of the vendor; and

(d) the banking affiliate depositing the check into an account maintained by the vendor.

20. The method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the billing document and to deliver the billing document and said at least one check to the banking affiliate.

21. The method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising the banking affiliate notifying the vendor of the deposit.

22. The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the step of the consumer paying for said at least one item on the second date comprises:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by cash;

(b) the website providing a payment form that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the payment form and a cash payment in the specified amount to a specified cash processing agent; and

(d) the cash processing agent crediting an account maintained by the vendor with the cash payment.

23. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the payment form and to deliver the payment form and the cash payment to the cash processing agent.

24. The method in accordance with claim 22, further comprising the cash processing agent notifying the vendor of the payment.

25. The method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising the website crawling the Internet to monitor a price of said at least one item and reducing an amount of a payment due from the consumer if the price decreases between the first date and the second date.

26. The method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising the website crawling the Internet to monitor a price of the item and issuing a refund to the consumer if the price decreases between the second date and the third date, wherein the refund is equal to the difference between the price and the amount paid by the consumer on the second date.

27. A method for arranging a purchase of at least one item that is offered for sale at a first price, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer specifying a second price that is less than the first price;

(b) the consumer providing a means for paying the second price;

(c) a vendor monitoring a current price of said at least one item;

(d) the vendor purchasing said at least one item for the consumer with the payment means provided by the consumer if the current price becomes no greater than the second price; and

(e) the vendor shipping said at least one item to the consumer.

28. The method in accordance with claim 27, further comprising notifying the consumer if the current price of said at least one item changes.

29. The method in accordance with claim 27, further comprising the vendor issuing a refund to the consumer if the current price is less than the second price, wherein the refund is equal to the difference between the current price and the second price.

30. A method for arranging a purchase of at least one item that is offered for sale at a first price, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer specifying a second price that is less than the first price;

(b) a vendor monitoring a current price of the item; and

(c) the vendor notifying the consumer if the current price of said at least one item becomes no greater than the second price.

31. The method in accordance with claim 30, further comprising notifying the consumer if the current price of said at least one item becomes less than the first price but more than the second price.

32. A method for arranging a purchase of at least one item offered through an electronic commerce website wherein said at least one item is offered for sale at a first price, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer communicating to the website a second price that is less than the first price;

(b) the consumer providing a means for paying the second price;

(c) the website crawling the Internet to monitor a current price of said at least one item;

(d) the website purchasing said at least one item for the consumer with the payment means provided by the consumer if the current price becomes no greater than the second price; and

(e) a vendor shipping said at least one item to the consumer.

33. The method in accordance with claim 32, further comprising the website notifying the consumer if the current price of said at least one item become less than the first price but more than the second price.

34. The method in accordance with claim 32, wherein the step of the consumer providing a means for paying the second price comprises:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by check;

(b) the website providing a billing document that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the billing document and at least one check in the specified amount to a banking affiliate of the vendor; and

(d) the banking affiliate depositing the check into an account maintained by the vendor.

35. The method in accordance with claim 34, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the billing document and to deliver the billing document and said at least one check to the banking affiliate.

36. The method in accordance with claim 34, further comprising the banking affiliate notifying the vendor of the deposit.

37. The method in accordance with claim 32, wherein the step of the consumer providing a means for paying the second price comprises:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by cash;

(b) the website providing a payment form that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the payment form and a cash payment in the specified amount to a specified cash processing agent; and

(d) the cash processing agent crediting an account maintained by the vendor with the cash payment.

38. The method in accordance with claim 37, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the payment form and to deliver the payment form and the cash payment to the cash processing agent.

39. The method in accordance with claim 37, further comprising the cash processing agent notifying the vendor of the payment.

40. The method in accordance with claim 32, further comprising the website issuing a refund to the consumer if the current price is less than the second price, wherein the refund is equal to the difference between the current price and the second price.

41. A method for arranging a purchase of at least one item offered through an electronic commerce website wherein said at least one item is offered for sale at a first price, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer communicating to the website a second price that is less than the first price;

(b) the website monitoring a current price of the item; and

(c) the website notifying the consumer if the current price of said at least one item becomes no greater than the second price.

42. The method in accordance with claim 41, further comprising the website notifying the consumer if the current price of said at least one item becomes less than the first price but more than the second price.

43. A method for arranging installment payments for a purchase of at least one item, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer specifying;

i. a first date on which the consumer will begin paying for said at least one item;

ii. a second, later date on which a vendor must ship said at least one item; and

iii. a payment frequency, f with which the consumer will make installment payments;

(b) calculating an installment payment amount, P that allows the consumer to pay a total purchase price, T of said at least one item in a time period, t between and including the first date and the second date;

(c) presenting to the consumer a payment schedule that instructs the consumer to make installment payments in the payment amount, P on the first date and with the payment frequency, f thereafter;

(d) the consumer making payments according to the payment schedule; and

(d) the vendor shipping said at least one item on the second date.

44. A method for arranging installment payments for a purchase of at least one item, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer specifying;

i. a first date on which the consumer will begin paying for said at least one item;

ii. an installment payment amount, P; and

iii. a payment frequency, f with which the consumer will make installment payments;

(b) calculating an amount of time, t it will take for the consumer to pay a total purchase price, T of said at least one item;

(c) presenting to the consumer a payment schedule that instructs the consumer to make installment payments in the payment amount, P on the first date and with the payment frequency, f thereafter until, but not including, a second date that is removed from the first date by the amount of time, t, and that instructs the consumer to make a final installment payment on the second date in an amount equal to the total purchase price, T reduced by a sum of the installment payments that are to be paid before the second date;

(d) the consumer making payments according to the payment schedule; and

(e) a vendor shipping said at least one item after the final installment payment is made.

45. A method for arranging installment payments for a purchase of at least one item, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer specifying a payment schedule including;

i. a total number of installment payments that the consumer will make to pay for said at least one item;

ii. a payment date for each of the total number of installment payments;

iii. a payment amount for each of the total number of installment payments, wherein a sum of all the payment amounts equals a total purchase price of said at least one item; and

iv. a payment method for each of the total number of installment payments;

(b) the consumer making payments according to the payment schedule; and

(c) a vendor shipping said at least one item after all of the total number of installment payments have been received.

46. A method for arranging installment payments for a purchase of at least one item offered through an electronic commerce website, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer communicating to the website;

i. a first date on which the consumer will begin paying for said at least one item;

ii. a second, later date on which a vendor must ship said at least one item; and

iii. a payment frequency, f with which the consumer will make installment payments;

(b) the website calculating an installment payment amount, P that allows the consumer to pay a total purchase price, T of said at least one item in a time period, t between and including the first date and the second date;

(c) the website presenting to the consumer a payment schedule that instructs the consumer to make installment payments in the payment amount, P on the first date and with the payment frequency, f thereafter;

(d) the consumer making payments according to the payment schedule; and

(e) the vendor shipping said at least one item on the second date.

47. The method in accordance with claim 46, further comprising the website notifying the consumer that an installment payment is due.

48. The method in accordance with claim 46, further comprising the consumer communicating to the website a payment method that the consumer will use to pay each installment payment.

49. The method in accordance with claim 46, further comprising:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by check;

(b) the website providing a billing document that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the billing document and at least one check in the specified amount to a banking affiliate of the vendor; and

(d) the banking affiliate depositing the check into an account maintained by the vendor.

50. The method in accordance with claim 49, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the billing document and to deliver the billing document and said at least one check to the banking affiliate.

51. The method in accordance with claim 49, further comprising the banking affiliate notifying the vendor of the deposit.

52. The method in accordance with claim 46, further comprising:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by cash;

(b) the website providing a payment form that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the payment form and a cash payment in the specified amount to a specified cash processing agent; and

(d) the cash processing agent crediting an account maintained by the vendor with the cash payment.

53. The method in accordance with claim 52, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the payment form and to deliver the payment form and the cash payment to the cash processing agent.

54. The method in accordance with claim 52, further comprising the cash processing agent notifying the vendor of the payment.

55. A method for arranging installment payments for a purchase of at least one item, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer specifying;

i. a first date on which the consumer will begin paying for said at least one item;

ii. an installment payment amount, P; and

iii. a payment frequency, f with which the consumer will make installment payments;

(b) calculating an amount of time, t it will take for the consumer to pay a total purchase price, T of said at least one item;

(c) presenting to the consumer a payment schedule that instructs the consumer to make installment payments in the payment amount, P on the first date and with the payment frequency, f thereafter until, but not including a second date that is removed from the first date by the amount of time, t, and that instructs the consumer to make a final installment payment on the second date in an amount equal to the total purchase price, T reduced by a sum of the installment payments that are to be paid before the second date;

(d) the consumer making payments according to the payment schedule; and

(e) a vendor shipping said at least one item on the second date.

56. The method in accordance with claim 55, further comprising the website notifying the consumer that an installment payment is due.

57. The method in accordance with claim 55, further comprising the consumer communicating to the website a payment method that the consumer would like to use to pay each installment payment.

58. The method in accordance with claim 55, further comprising:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by check;

(b) the website providing a billing document that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the billing document and at least one check in the specified amount to a banking affiliate of the vendor; and

(d) the banking affiliate depositing the check into an account maintained by the vendor.

59. The method in accordance with claim 58, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the billing document and to deliver the billing document and said at least one check to the banking affiliate.

60. The method in accordance with claim 58, further comprising the banking affiliate notifying the vendor of the deposit.

61. The in accordance with claim 55, further comprising:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by cash;

(b) the website providing a payment form that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the payment form and a cash payment in the specified amount to a specified cash processing agent; and

(d) the cash processing agent crediting an account maintained by the vendor with the cash payment.

62. The method in accordance with claim 61, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the payment form and to deliver the payment form and the cash payment to the cash processing agent.

63. The method in accordance with claim 61, further comprising the cash processing agent notifying the vendor of the payment.

64. A method for arranging installment payments for a purchase of at least one item offered through an e-commerce website, the method comprising:

(a) a consumer communicating to the website a payment schedule including;

i. a total number of installment payments that the consumer will make to pay for said at least one item;

ii. a payment date for each of the total number of installment payments;

iii. a payment amount for each of the total number of installment payments, wherein a sum of all the payment amounts equals a total purchase price of said at least one item; and

iv. a payment method for each of the total number of installment payments;

(b) the consumer making payments according to the payment schedule; and

(c) a vendor shipping said at least one item after all of the total number of payments have been received.

65. The method in accordance with claim 64, further comprising the website notifying the consumer that an installment payment is due.

66. The method in accordance with claim 64, wherein the step of the consumer specifying a payment method for each of the total number of installment payments comprises:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by check;

(b) the website providing a billing document that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the billing document and at least one check in the specified amount to a banking affiliate of the vendor; and

(d) the banking affiliate depositing the check into an account maintained by the vendor.

67. The method in accordance with claim 66, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the billing document and to deliver the billing document and said at least one check to the banking affiliate.

68. The method in accordance with claim 66, further comprising the banking affiliate notifying the vendor of the deposit.

69. The method in accordance with claim 64, wherein the step of the consumer specifying a payment method for each of the total number of installment payments comprises:

(a) the consumer communicating to the website that the consumer will make a payment in a specified amount by cash;

(b) the website providing a payment form that contains information identifying a transaction to the consumer in an electronic format;

(c) the consumer printing and delivering the payment form and a cash payment in the specified amount to a specified cash processing agent; and

(d) the cash processing agent crediting an account maintained by the vendor with the cash payment.

70. The method in accordance with claim 69, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the payment form and to deliver the payment form and the cash payment to the cash processing agent.

71. The method in accordance with claim 69, further comprising the cash processing agent notifying the vendor of the payment.

72. A method for establishing and managing a gift registry with a vendor, the method comprising:

(a) a registrant identifying at least one item as a desired gift;

(b) the registrant specifying a shipping date on which the vendor must ship said at least one item;

(c) the registrant specifying a plurality of invitees;

(d) issuing invitations to the invitees to participate in the gift registry;

(e) at least one of the invitees paying an amount as a payment toward the purchase of said at least one item;

(f) decreasing the purchase price of said at least one item by an amount of any payments made toward the purchase of said at least one item and displaying the decreased purchase price to the invitees; and

(g) the vendor shipping said at least one item on the shipping date if a sum of all payments made toward the purchase of said at least one item is equal to at least the purchase price of said at least one item.

73. The method in accordance with claim 72, further comprising at least one invitee contributing money to a general registry fund.

74. The method in accordance with claim 73, further comprising the registrant allocating at least a portion of any money in the general registry fund to a payment toward the purchase of said at least one item.

75. The method in accordance with claim 73, further comprising the registrant receiving money in the general registry fund in the form of a monetary payment.

76. The method in accordance with claim 72, further comprising the registrant paying an amount toward the purchase of said at least one item.

77. The method in accordance with claim 72, further comprising:

(a) the registrant allocating at least a portion of any amount previously paid toward the purchase of a first of said at least one item to a payment toward the purchase of a second of said at least one item;

(b) increasing the purchase price of the first item by the amount allocated and displaying the increased purchase price to the invitees; and

(c) decreasing the purchase price of the second item by the amount allocated and displaying the decreased purchase price to the invitees.

78. The method in accordance with claim 72, further comprising the registrant receiving payments made toward the purchase of said at least one item in the form of a monetary payment.

79. A method for establishing and managing a gift registry with an electronic commerce website, the method comprising:

(a) a registrant identifying to the website at least one item as a desired gift;

(b) the registrant specifying to the website a shipping date on which said at least one item must be shipped;

(c) the registrant specifying to the website a plurality of invitees;

(d) the website issuing invitations to the invitees to participate in the gift registry;

(e) at least one of the invitees paying an amount toward the purchase of said at least one item;

(f) the website decreasing the purchase price of said at least one item by an amount of any payments made toward the purchase of said at least one item and displaying the decreased purchase price to the invitees; and

(g) a vendor shipping said at least one item on the shipping date if a sum of all payments made toward the purchase of said at least one item is equal to at least the purchase price of said at least one item.

80. The method in accordance with claim 79, further comprising the website presenting at least one invitee contributing money to a general registry fund.

81. The method in accordance with claim 80, further comprising the registrant instructing the website to allocate at least a portion of any money in the general registry fund to a payment toward the purchase of said at least one item.

82. The method in accordance with claim 80, further comprising the registrant receiving money in the general registry fund in the form of a monetary payment.

83. The method in accordance with claim 79, further comprising the website presenting the registrant paying an amount toward the purchase of said at least on item.

84. The method in accordance with claim 79, further comprising:

(a) the registrant instructing the website to allocate at least a portion of any amount previously paid toward the purchase of a first of said at least one item to a payment toward the purchase of a second of said at least one item;

(b) the website increasing the purchase price of the first item by the amount allocated and displaying the increased purchase price to the invitees; and

(c) the website decreasing the purchase price of the second item by the amount allocated and displaying the decreased purchase price to the invitees.

85. The method in accordance with claim 79, further comprising the registrant receiving payments made toward the purchase of said at least one item in the form of a monetary payment.

86. The method in accordance with claim 79, further comprising:

(a) one of said invitees communicating to the website that the invitee will make a payment in a specified amount by check;

(b) the website providing a billing document that contains information identifying a transaction to the invitee in an electronic format;

(c) the invitee printing and delivering the billing document and at least one check in the specified amount to a banking affiliate of the vendor; and

(d) the banking affiliate depositing the check into an account maintained by the vendor.

87. The method in accordance with claim 86, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the billing document and to deliver the billing document and said at least one check to the banking affiliate.

88. The method in accordance with claim 86, further comprising the banking affiliate notifying the vendor of the deposit.

89. The method in accordance with claim 79, further comprising:

(a) one of said invitees communicating to the website that the invitee will make a payment in a specified amount by cash;

(b) the website providing a payment form that contains information identifying a transaction to the invitee in an electronic format;

(c) the invitee printing and delivering the payment form and a cash payment in the specified amount to a specified cash processing agent; and

(d) the cash processing agent crediting an account maintained by the vendor with the cash payment.

90. The method in accordance with claim 89, further comprising the website instructing the consumer to print the payment form and to deliver the payment form and the cash payment to the cash processing agent.

91. The method in accordance with claim 89, further comprising the cash processing agent notifying the vendor of the payment.