Method for marketing goods and services

• US 6,853,979 B1
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
• Original Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
• Inventors: Bass, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garg, Yogesh C.
• Application Number:
  US09/855,062
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 709/207, 709/219, 381/124, 283/56, 405/84
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A method of marketing a good or service is provided including the step of providing a sign having a preprinted website address and an indication that a good or service is for sale. The method further includes providing a website where sellers can post information about the particular good or service. Consumers can visit the website indicated on the sign and view the posted information for a particular good or service by reference to a unique identifier, such as an identification number, listed on the sign.

Claims

1. A method for marketing a good via a website having a website address and permitting a seller to post information about said good thereon under a unique identifier, said website further permitting a prospective purchaser to enter said unique identifier in order to view said posted information, consisting essentially of the following steps in the following order:

a) providing a physical sign and accompanying directions for logging onto said website, said physical sign having preprinted thereon said website address, a space for said unique identifier, and an indication that a good is for sale or rent, said physical sign being provided for purchase at a retail store,

b) a seller of said good purchasing said physical sign and accompanying directions from said retail store,

c) said seller, having purchased the sign and following the accompanying directions, logging onto said website to post said information thereon, said unique identifier being provided to said seller or entered by said seller at said website in connection with said seller posting said information on said website, and

d) said seller conspicuously placing said sign physically on or adjacent said good for sale or rent, wherein said unique identifier is displayed on said physical sign and corresponds specifically to said good on said website.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said unique identifier is preprinted on said sign in said space for a unique identifier.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said website provides said unique identifier to said seller in connection with said seller posting said information on said website, thus permitting said seller to thereafter provide said unique identifier in said space on said sign.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said sign is provided with a description of said good preprinted thereon.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said sign is further provided with a space to indicate a seller'"'"'s personal contact information.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said website is further adapted to permit said prospective purchaser to browse a plurality of goods listed on said website by category, and to view posted information therefor without reference to said unique identifier.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said website is further adapted to permit said prospective purchaser to browse a plurality of goods listed on said website by geographic location, and to view posted information therefor without reference to said unique identifier.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said sign has preprinted thereon said accompanying directions.

9. A method according to claim 1, said method being adapted to permit a purchaser of said good to make payment for said good directly to the seller or the sellers agent.

10. A method according to claim 1, said method being adapted to permit a purchaser of said good to make payment for said good to a provider of said website, after which said provider will forward said payment to the seller of said good.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said provider charges a fee to said seller in connection with said payment.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said sign is provided with a container into which said seller can deposit a sheet of paper containing information about said good.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of promoting said website to the general consuming public.

14. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of charging a fee to said seller in connection with said posting of information on said website.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein said prospective purchaser, upon viewing said sign, is informed by said sign of the following points prior to logging onto said website:

i. that said good is for sale or rent;

ii. of said website address for said website; and

iii. of said unique identifier corresponding to information regarding said good on said website.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein said good is a good for sale.

17. A method according to claim 16, said good for sale being an automobile.

18. A method according to claim 16, said good for sale being real estate.

19. A method according to claim 16, said unique identifier being preprinted on said sign in said space for a unique identifier.

20. A method according to claim 16, wherein said sign is provided with a description of said good for sale preprinted thereon.

21. A method according to claim 16, wherein said sign is further provided with a space to indicate a seller'"'"'s personal contact information.

22. A method according to claim 16, wherein said website is further adapted to permit said prospective purchaser to browse a plurality of goods listed on said website by category, and to view posted information therefor without reference to said unique identifier.

23. A method according to claim 16, wherein said website is further adapted to permit said prospective purchaser to browse a plurality of goods listed on said website by geographic location, and to view posted information therefor without reference to said unique identifier.

24. A method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a container into which said seller can deposit a sheet of paper containing information about said good for sale.

25. A method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of promoting said website to the general consuming public.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein, after step (c), said prospective purchaser views said posted information about said good on said website.

27. A method for marketing a good via a website having a website address and permitting a seller who has a good for sale or rent to post information about said good thereon under a unique identifier, consisting essentially of the following steps in the following order:

a) providing a physical sign and accompanying directions for logging onto said website for purchase by said seller, said sign having said website address preprinted thereon, a space for said unique identifier, and an indication that a good is for sale or rent,

b) selling said physical sign to said seller who has a good for sale or rent, and

c) said seller, having purchased the sign and following the accompanying directions, logging onto said website and posting said information thereon, said unique identifier being provided to said seller or entered by said seller in connection with said seller'"'"'s posting said information.

28. A method according to claim 27, said physical sign having preprinted thereon said accompanying directions.

29. A method according to claim 27, said physical sign being offered for sale at a retail store, said seller purchasing said sign at said retail store.