Identifying incentives for a qualified buyer

• US 8,290,824 B1
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valentine Communications LLC
• Original Assignee: Ewinwin Incorporated
• Inventors: Mesaros, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): FADOK, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US09/922,884
• Time in Patent Office: 4,089 Days
• Field of Search: 705/80, 705 26- 28, 705/37, 705/400, 705/10, 705/14, 705/14.1, 705/14.23, 705/14.51
• US Class Current: 705/26.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A system and method that facilitates e-commerce volume pricing is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the system includes an offers and orders component that receives and aggregates orders for a product from a plurality of buyers. The system also includes a logistics component that determines a shipping price for the product for a subset of the plurality of buyers. The shipping price is determined at least in part upon the subset of buyers sharing a shipping method. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which buyers within an aggregated purchasing group may be subject to different pricing structures for the same product.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores instructions executable by a processor to perform a method to identify an extra incentive for a qualified buyer, the method comprising:

publically presenting an offer for an item, the item comprising a product or service, wherein the offer includes a single discounted price for the item and is contingent on a minimum quantity of orders for the item being received prior to a known and specified time;

aggregating orders for the item from a set of buyers;

determining that the minimum quantity of orders for the item has been satisfied; and

identifying an extra incentive for a qualified buyer from the set of buyers, wherein the extra incentive is provided to the qualified buyer by way of a private account and is contingent upon satisfaction of the minimum quantity of orders for the item prior to the known and specified time.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable to verify that funds available to a buyer from the set of buyers are adequate to meet an associated order for the item.

3. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein the buyer is a logged-in, registered accountholder, and the verification is associated with a system account for the buyer based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the item.

4. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein the buyer is a logged-in, registered accountholder, and the verification is associated with a system line of credit for the buyer based upon stored information that relates to the buyer or based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the item.

5. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein the buyer is a logged-in, registered accountholder, and the verification is associated with a third party account for the buyer based upon stored information that relates to the buyer or based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the item.

6. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein the buyer is a logged-in, registered accountholder, and the verification is associated with a third party line of credit for the buyer based upon stored information that relates to the buyer or based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the item.

7. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein the buyer is an unregistered buyer or not logged-in, and the verification is associated with a third party account for the buyer based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the item.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein the buyer is an unregistered buyer or not logged-in, and the verification is associated with a third party line of credit for the buyer based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the item.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the orders is a contractual obligation for an associated buyer to purchase the item when the minimum quantity of orders for the item is satisfied within the specified time.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the orders is a non-binding order in which an associated buyer is not contractually obligated to purchase the item.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the non-binding order is associated with a buyer for whom available funds were not verified.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the non-binding order is associated with a buyer for whom available funds were insufficient.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the non-binding order is excluded from a count of orders employed to satisfy the minimum quantity of orders for the item.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to manage terms and conditions associated with the offer.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present multiple sets of terms and conditions in connection with the offer.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a system provider and a buyer included in the set of buyers.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a system provider and a merchant associated with the item.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a system provider and a third party associated with the item.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a merchant associated with the offer and a buyer included in the set of buyers.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a merchant associated with the offer and a third party associated with the offer.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a buyer included in the set of buyers and a third party associated with the offer.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions defined by or on behalf of a system provider.

23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions defined by or on behalf of a merchant associated with the item.

24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions defined by or on behalf of a third party associated with the offer.

25. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present a first set of terms and conditions in connection with a first buyer included in the set of buyers, and a second set of terms and conditions in connection with a second buyer included in the set of buyers.

26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to provide multiple options for the item associated with the offer.

27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 26, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to aggregate orders for different options to meet the minimum quantity of orders for the item.

28. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 26, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain a first minimum quantity associated with a first option and a second minimum quantity associated with a second option.

29. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to create invoices associated with a transaction fee or recurring fee charged by a system provider.

30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to provide a single-order option for the item at a non-aggregated, single-order price.

31. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein purchase of the item is not contingent on the minimum quantity of orders being received.

32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein purchase of the item is at a single-order price that differs from the discounted price.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the item is immediately available at the single-order price.

34. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to automatically submit the offer.

35. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 34, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present the offer based upon a time schedule.

36. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 34, wherein further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present the offer based upon an analysis of inventory or available capacity.

37. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 34, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present the offer based upon an analysis of orders associated with the offer or the minimum quantity of orders.

38. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to determine a rating associated with a buyer included in the set of buyers.

39. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to determine a rating related to a merchant associated with the offer.

40. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to determine a rating related to a third party associated with the offer.

41. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to determine a rating related to a system provider associated with the offer.

42. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain feedback associated with a buyer included in the set of buyers.

43. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain feedback associated with a merchant associated with the offer.

44. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain feedback associated with a third party associated with the offer.

45. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain feedback associated with a system provider associated with the offer.

46. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is an additional price reduction applied to the single discounted price for the item.

47. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is a credit applied to the single discounted price for the item.

48. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is an upgraded option associated with the item.

49. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is a credit associated with a different item.

50. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is a discount associated with a different item.

51. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is a voucher associated with a different item.

52. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is a discount code provided to a buyer included in the set of buyers by the system provider.

53. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is provided to a buyer based at least in part on online activity of the buyer.

54. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the extra incentive is available for use for a limited time.

55. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to apply the extra incentive to the offer.

56. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to apply the extra incentive to a distinct offer that differs from the offer.

57. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores instructions executable by a processor to perform a method to identify an extra incentive for a qualified buyer, the method comprising:

publically presenting a site accessible via a computer network, the site including an offer for a product or service, wherein the offer includes a single discounted price for the product or service that is available only when a minimum volume of orders for the product or service are received before a known and specified time, and wherein the offer may be canceled before the specified time;

analyzing orders for the product or service from a plurality of buyers in order to determine the aggregate number of orders for the product or service;

determining that the minimum volume of orders for the product or service has been satisfied; and

identifying an additional incentive for an eligible buyer included within the plurality of buyers, wherein the additional incentive is made available to the eligible buyer by way of a private account only when the minimum volume of orders for the product or service are received before the known and specified time.

58. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to verify that funds available to a buyer included in the plurality of buyers is adequate to meet an associated order for the product or service.

59. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein the buyer is a logged-in, registered accountholder and funds associated with the buyer are verified based upon stored information that relates to an account of the buyer.

60. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein the buyer is a logged-in, registered accountholder and funds associated with the buyer are verified based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the product or service.

61. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein the buyer is not logged-in and funds associated with the buyer are verified based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the product or service.

62. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein the buyer is an unregistered buyer and funds associated with the buyer are verified based upon information received in connection with an associated order for the product or service.

63. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein at least one of the orders analyzed is a contractual obligation for an associated buyer to purchase the product or service if the minimum volume of orders for the product or service is met within the specified time.

64. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein at least one of the orders analyzed is a non-binding order in which an associated buyer is not contractually obligated to purchase the product or service.

65. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 64, wherein the non-binding order is associated with a buyer for whom available funds were not verified or available funds were insufficient.

66. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 64, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to exclude the nonbinding order from a count of orders employed to satisfy the minimum volume of orders for the product or service.

67. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, further comprising further comprising instructions executable by a processor to manage terms and conditions associated with the offer.

68. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein further comprising instructions executable by a processor to provide multiple sets of terms of terms and conditions in connection with the offer.

69. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a system provider and a buyer from the plurality of buyers.

70. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a system provider and a merchant associated with the offer.

71. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a system provider and a sponsor associated with the offer.

72. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a merchant associated with the offer and a buyer from the plurality of buyers.

73. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a merchant associated with the offer and a sponsor associated with the offer.

74. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions between a buyer from the set of buyers and a sponsor associated with the offer.

75. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions defined by or on behalf of a system provider.

76. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions defined by or on behalf of a merchant associated with the offer.

77. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions defined by or on behalf of a sponsor associated with the offer.

78. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the multiple sets of terms and conditions includes a set of terms and conditions defined by or on behalf of the buyer.

79. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to provide a first set of terms and conditions in connection with a first buyer from the plurality of buyers, and a second set of terms and conditions in connection with a second buyer from the plurality of buyers.

80. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to provide multiple options for the product or service associated with the offer.

81. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 80, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to aggregate orders for different options to the minimum volume of orders for the product or service.

82. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 80, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain a first minimum volume associated with a first option and a second minimum volume associated with a second option.

83. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to create invoices associated with a transaction fee or recurring fee charged by a system provider.

84. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to provide a single-order option for the product or service at a single-order price.

85. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 84, wherein purchase of the product or service at the single-order price is independent of the minimum volume of orders.

86. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to automatically present the offer.

87. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 86, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present the offer based upon a time schedule.

88. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 86, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present the offer based upon an analysis of inventory.

89. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 86, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present the offer based upon an analysis of available capacity.

90. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 86, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present the offer based upon an analysis of orders associated with the offer.

91. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 86, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to present the offer based upon an analysis the minimum volume of orders.

92. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to determine a rating associated with a buyer from the plurality of buyers, a merchant associated with the product or service or offer, a sponsor or third party associated with the product or service or offer, or a system provider associated with the product or service or offer.

93. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to determine a rating associated with a merchant associated with the offer.

94. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to determine a rating associated with a sponsor associated with the offer.

95. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to determine a rating associated with a system provider associated with the offer.

96. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain feedback associated with a buyer from the plurality of buyers, a merchant associated with the product or service or offer, a sponsor or third party associated with the product or service or offer, or a system provider associated with the product or service or offer.

97. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain feedback associated with a merchant associated with the offer.

98. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain feedback associated with a sponsor associated with the offer, or a system provider associated with the product or service or offer.

99. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to maintain feedback associated with a system provider associated with the offer.

100. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the additional incentive is a further price reduction applied to the single discounted price for the product or service.

101. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the additional incentive is a credit applied to the single discounted price for the product or service.

102. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the additional incentive is an upgrade associated with the product or service.

103. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the additional incentive is an accessory associated with the product or service.

104. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the additional incentive is an upgraded option associated with the product or service.

105. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the additional incentive is a credit associated with a different product or service.

106. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the additional incentive is a discount associated with a different product or service.

107. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the additional incentive is a voucher associated with a different product or service.

108. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable by a processor to apply the additional incentive to an order for an associated product or service.

109. A method for providing extra incentives to eligible buyers, the method comprising:

publically presenting an online offer for an item characterized as a product or service via a web site, the offer including a discounted price for the item, and wherein the online offer is contingent upon receiving a minimum quantity of orders prior to a known predetermined time;

aggregating orders for the item from multiple buyers at a computing device connected to a network;

executing instructions stored in memory of the computing device to determine that the minimum quantity of orders is met; and

providing an extra incentive to an eligible buyer from amongst the multiple buyers by way of a private account, the extra inventive contingent upon receiving the minimum quantity of orders prior to the known and predetermined time.

110. The method of claim 109, further comprising verifying that funds available to a buyer who places an order for the item are adequate.

111. The method of claim 110, further comprising designating the order as a binding order if the funds available to the buyer are adequate, wherein the binding order is characterized by a contractual obligation for the buyer to purchase the item if the minimum quantity of orders for the item is satisfied with the predetermined time.

112. The method of claim 110, further comprising designating the order as a non-binding order if the funds available to the buyer are inadequate to cover the order.

113. The method of claim 112, further comprising excluding the non-binding order from a count of orders employed to satisfy the minimum quantity of orders.

114. The method of claim 109, further comprising structuring the online offer for presenting multiple option packages associated with the item.

115. The method of claim 114, further comprising aggregating orders for the multiple option packages collectively.

116. The method of claim 114, further comprising aggregating orders for the multiple option packages independently.

117. The method of claim 114, further comprising providing the extra incentive to an eligible buyer based at least in part on online behavior of the eligible buyer.