Method and system for improved online auction
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving, at a server computer, first data from a remote seller computer over a network, wherein the first data comprises;
location information for the remote seller; and
one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller, wherein the shipping preferences comprise any one of, or some combination of;
(i) a flat fee,(ii) a fee set by the seller,(iii) one or more rates charged by one or more common carriers,(iv) a distance between the seller location and the buyer location,(v) size of the item,(vi) weight of the item,(vii) free shipping, and(viii) one or more dimensions of the item;
storing the first data in a database;
receiving, at the server computer, second data from a remote buyer computer over a network, wherein the second data corresponds to location information for the remote buyer;
storing the second data in a database;
receiving, at the server computer, third data from the remote seller computer over a network, wherein the third data corresponds to a price of an item that is offered for sale on an online auction website;
storing the third data in a database;
determining, for the remote buyer, a shipping rate for the item, wherein the step of determining the shipping rate comprises;
retrieving, from the database, the first data corresponding to the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller;
retrieving, from the database, the second data corresponding to the location information for the remote buyer;
determining an applicable tax factor for the item that is offered for sale on the online auction website based, at least in part, on the location information for the remote buyer, by;
identifying, from the second data corresponding to location information of the remote buyer, a state associated with the buyer; and
determining a tax rate corresponding to the state associated with the remote buyer for the purchase of the item;
calculating the shipping rate of the item based at least in part on the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller; and
providing to the remote buyer computer over the network the shipping rate of the item that is offered for sale on the online auction website.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for improving auction-based online commerce are provided, including methods and systems for facilitating advance, rapid, accurate estimation of shipping costs between a seller and the winner of an online auction. Methods and systems include an application for facilitating seller estimation of shipping costs, including various components of shipping costs, and for providing to the buyer a shipping estimate based on the circumstances of the buyer and the auction.
55 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, at a server computer, first data from a remote seller computer over a network, wherein the first data comprises; location information for the remote seller; and one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller, wherein the shipping preferences comprise any one of, or some combination of; (i) a flat fee, (ii) a fee set by the seller, (iii) one or more rates charged by one or more common carriers, (iv) a distance between the seller location and the buyer location, (v) size of the item, (vi) weight of the item, (vii) free shipping, and (viii) one or more dimensions of the item; storing the first data in a database; receiving, at the server computer, second data from a remote buyer computer over a network, wherein the second data corresponds to location information for the remote buyer; storing the second data in a database; receiving, at the server computer, third data from the remote seller computer over a network, wherein the third data corresponds to a price of an item that is offered for sale on an online auction website; storing the third data in a database; determining, for the remote buyer, a shipping rate for the item, wherein the step of determining the shipping rate comprises; retrieving, from the database, the first data corresponding to the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller; retrieving, from the database, the second data corresponding to the location information for the remote buyer; determining an applicable tax factor for the item that is offered for sale on the online auction website based, at least in part, on the location information for the remote buyer, by; identifying, from the second data corresponding to location information of the remote buyer, a state associated with the buyer; and determining a tax rate corresponding to the state associated with the remote buyer for the purchase of the item; calculating the shipping rate of the item based at least in part on the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller; and providing to the remote buyer computer over the network the shipping rate of the item that is offered for sale on the online auction website. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 22)
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13. A system comprising:
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a computer interface configured to enable a remote seller to offer an item for sale in an online auction; a database configured to store first data comprising; location information for the remote seller; and one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller, wherein the shipping preferences comprise any one of, or some combination of; (i) a flat fee, (ii) a fee set by the seller, (iii) one or more rates charged by one or more common carriers, (iv) a distance between the seller location and the buyer location, (v) size of the item, (vi) weight of the item, (vii) free shipping, and (viii) one or more dimensions of the item; a database configured to store second data corresponding to location information for a remote buyer; a database configured to store third data corresponding to a price of the item; a rate engine configured to; determine, for the remote buyer, a shipping rate for the item by performing the steps of; retrieve, from the database, the first data corresponding to the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller; retrieve, from the database, the second data corresponding to the location information for the remote buyer; determine an applicable tax factor for the item that is offered for sale on the online auction website based, at least in part, on the location information for the remote buyer, by; identifying, from the second data corresponding to location information of the remote buyer, a state associated with the buyer; and determining a tax rate corresponding to the state associated with the remote buyer for the purchase of the item; calculate the shipping rate of the item based at least in part on the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller; and provide the shipping rate to the remote buyer computer over the network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24)
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Specification