Methods, Apparatus, and Systems for Enabling Feedback-Dependent Transactions
First Claim
1. A computer-assisted method for selling through a distributed marketplace system, comprising:
- on an ongoing basis, indicating items available to be exchanged for value which is at least partly indeterminate;
looking up prospective buyers in an information base which includes, for previous transactions based on at least partly indeterminate value, the seller'"'"'s assessment of the fairness of the value actually exchanged or set to be exchanged for that item by that buyer, and the buyer'"'"'s assessment of the fairness of the value set to be exchanged by the buyer; and
conditionally performing an indeterminate-value transaction with that prospective buyer, in at least partial dependence on the results of the looking up step.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, apparatus, and methods for facilitating feedback-dependent transactions are provided. For example, feedback is collected on transactions involving particular buyers, with respect to the buyer, and then used to facilitate the process of pricing future transactions involving that buyer, selectively leading to further sales. In some embodiments, offers are made to buyers on behalf of sellers on the basis that the buyer may is permitted to set the price for the product/service after taking delivery of the item and then determining its actual value to the buyer. In such embodiments, the offer terms can optionally specify that the price setting will be tracked with respect to the buyer and reported through the computer network system, and specify that that information, with attribution to that buyer, can later be used by the seller (and/or other sellers) to determine whether to extend and fulfill other similar offers in the future.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A computer-assisted method for selling through a distributed marketplace system, comprising:
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on an ongoing basis, indicating items available to be exchanged for value which is at least partly indeterminate; looking up prospective buyers in an information base which includes, for previous transactions based on at least partly indeterminate value, the seller'"'"'s assessment of the fairness of the value actually exchanged or set to be exchanged for that item by that buyer, and the buyer'"'"'s assessment of the fairness of the value set to be exchanged by the buyer; and conditionally performing an indeterminate-value transaction with that prospective buyer, in at least partial dependence on the results of the looking up step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for buying remotely through a distributed marketplace system, comprising:
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reviewing items which are offered in exchange for value which is at least partly indeterminate; under at least some circumstances, using a machine-assisted process to determine; (1) what value a seller is expected to accept as satisfactory (2) what value the buyer predicts to be an acceptable value exchange for the buyer (3) any explanations the buyer expects to provide to justify any difference between (1) and (2); and conditionally performing an indeterminate-value transaction with that prospective seller, in at least partial dependence on the results of the determining step, and in at least partial dependence on possible damage to the buyers reputation which can be expected from the difference between (2) and (1) in light of (3). - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20-33. -33. (canceled)
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34. A method for buying through a distributed marketplace system, comprising:
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reviewing items which are offered in exchange for value which is at least partly indeterminate; under at least some circumstances, looking up the prospective seller of an item which is offered in exchange for indeterminate value, to see what assessments of the fairness of value set to be exchanged by buyers have been posted by that seller, as well as at least some buyers'"'"' inputs on the fairness of the assessments posted by that seller; and conditionally performing an indeterminate-value transaction with that prospective seller, in at least partial dependence on the results of the looking up step, for at least one said item.
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35-155. -155. (canceled)
Specification