Online marketplace for moving and relocation services

• US 7,487,111 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: U-Haul International Incorporated (U-Haul Holding Co.)
• Original Assignee: U-Haul International Incorporated (U-Haul Holding Co.)
• Inventors: Venkataraman, Srinivasan, Shoen, Edward J., Shoen, Samuel J., Kestner, John Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Pond; Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US10/083,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20030078852A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,664 Days
• Field of Search: 705 26- 27
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A method of providing auxiliary services in a computer network marketplace relating to an originating transaction between a customer and a host is described. The originating transaction typically involves self-help moving and relocating, such as reserving a moving truck or trailer and other moving equipment. The originating transaction is processed by accepting customer input requested by the host. The customer can access content describing an auxiliary service relating to the originating transaction, such as services from other vendors relating to moving and relocating. The service provider is listed in the marketplace at the discretion of the host and the customer input for the originating transaction is used by the host to expedite processing of a secondary transaction for the auxiliary service between the customer and the auxiliary service provider. The customer can use the marketplace to view information on the auxiliary service provider and to purchase the auxiliary service.

Claims

1. A method of providing, via a computer network marketplace, auxiliary services or goods relating to an originating transaction between a customer and a host, the method comprising:

processing an originating transaction by accepting customer input requested by a host;

enabling a customer in the computer network marketplace to access content regarding an auxiliary service or good relating to the originating transaction;

processing a secondary transaction for the auxiliary service or good between the customer and a vender listed in the marketplace;

accepting a payment from the customer for the service or good;

issuing to the customer a confirmation code associated with the secondary transaction; and

after performance of the service or delivery of the good, activating a payment for the service or good in response to the vendor entering the confirmation code.

2. A method of providing, via a computer network marketplace, auxiliary services or goods relating to moving or relocating upon completion of an originating transaction relating to moving or relocating, the method comprising:

processing an originating transaction by accepting customer input;

enabling a customer in the computer network marketplace to access content describing an auxiliary service or good relating to the originating transaction;

listing at least one vendor that can provide the auxiliary service or good;

processing a secondary transaction for the auxiliary service or good between the customer and a vender; and

accepting a payment from the customer for the auxiliary service or good;

issuing to the customer a confirmation code associated with the secondary transaction; and

after performance of the service or delivery of the good, activating a payment for the service or good in response to the vendor entering the confirmation code.

3. A method of providing, via a computer network marketplace, auxiliary services or goods relating to moving or relocating upon completion of an originating transaction between a customer and a host, wherein the originating transaction also relates to moving or relocation, the method comprising:

processing an originating transaction by accepting customer input requested by a host;

enabling a customer in the computer network marketplace to access content regarding an auxiliary service or good, wherein the auxiliary service or good and the originating transaction relate to moving or relocating;

processing a secondary transaction for the auxiliary service or good between the customer and a vender listed in the marketplace;

accepting a payment from the customer for the service or good;

issuing to the customer a confirmation code associated with the secondary transaction; and

after performance of the service or delivery of the good, activating a payment for the service or good in response to the vendor entering the confirmation code.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein enabling a customer in the computer network marketplace to access content occurs after the originating transaction has been processed.

5. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the content regarding an auxiliary service or good includes loading/unloading service information.

6. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the content regarding an auxiliary service or good includes packing/unpacking service information and house cleaning service information.

7. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the content regarding an auxiliary service or good includes landscaping service information, carpet cleaning service information, painting service information, and garbage removal service information.

8. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the content regarding an auxiliary service includes hotel reservation information.

9. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising displaying, in the marketplace, advertisements for goods or services relating to moving or relocating.

10. A method of providing, via a computer network marketplace, a first service or good relating to a second service or good, the method comprising:

processing an originating transaction by accepting customer input requested by a computer network marketplace;

enabling a customer in the marketplace to access content describing the second service or good relating to the originating transaction;

processing a secondary transaction for the second service or good between the customer and a vendor wherein the vendor is introduced to the customer by the marketplace and wherein the customer input for the originating transaction captured by the marketplace is used by the host to expedite processing of the secondary transaction;

issuing to the customer a confirmation code associated with the secondary transaction; and

after performance of the second service or delivery of the second good, activating a payment for the second service or good in response to the vendor entering the confirmation code.

11. A method of providing a service or good relating to moving using a computer network marketplace, wherein the service is offered upon completion of an originating transaction between a customer and a marketplace, the method comprising:

processing an originating transaction by accepting customer input requested by a computer network marketplace;

enabling a customer in the marketplace to access content describing an auxiliary service or good relating to the originating transaction, wherein the auxiliary service or good and the originating transaction relates to moving;

processing a secondary transaction for the service or good between the customer and a vender listed in the marketplace;

accepting a payment from the customer for the service or good;

issuing to the customer a confirmation code associated with the secondary transaction; and

after performance of the service or delivery of the good, activating a payment for the service or good in response to the vender entering the confirmation code.

12. A computer system for providing auxiliary services or goods, via an online marketplace, relating to an originating transaction between a customer and a host, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

a computer readable memory accessible by the one or more processors, the computer readable memory containing programming instructions for;

processing an originating transaction by accepting customer input requested by a host;

enabling a customer in the marketplace to access content describing an auxiliary service or good relating to the originating transaction;

processing a secondary transaction for the auxiliary service or good between the customer and a vender listed in the marketplace;

accepting a customer payment for the service or good;

issuing a customer a confirmation code associated with the secondary transaction; and

after performance of the service or delivery of the good, activating a payment for the service or good in response to the vender entering the confirmation code.