Method and system for improved online auction
DC CAFCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a computer interface configured to enable a plurality of remote sellers to offer at least one item for sale on a website, wherein the plurality of remote sellers includes a first remote seller;
a database configured to store first data comprising;
location information for the first remote seller; and
one or more shipping preferences of the first 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 a price of a first item offered for sale by the first remote seller ;
a rate engine configured to;
(1) determine, for a remote buyer, a shipping rate for the first item, wherein the item is offered for sale by the first remote seller by the computer interface, by performing the steps of;
retrieving, from the database, the first data corresponding to the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller;
retrieving data corresponding to location information for the remote buyer;
determining whether a tax is applicable for the item that is offered for sale on the website based, at least in part, on the location information for the remote buyer;
if a tax is determined applicable, determining, based on the location information for the remote buyer, a tax factor for the first item by further performing the steps of;
identifying, from the location information of the remote buyer, a political division associated with the remote buyer; and
determining a tax rate corresponding to the political division associated with the remote buyer for the purchase of the first item;
calculating the shipping rate of the item based at least in part on the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller;
(2) provide the shipping rate to the remote buyer computer over a network.
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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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a computer interface configured to enable a plurality of remote sellers to offer at least one item for sale on a website, wherein the plurality of remote sellers includes a first remote seller; a database configured to store first data comprising; location information for the first remote seller; and one or more shipping preferences of the first 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 a price of a first item offered for sale by the first remote seller ; a rate engine configured to; (1) determine, for a remote buyer, a shipping rate for the first item, wherein the item is offered for sale by the first remote seller by the computer interface, by performing the steps of; retrieving, from the database, the first data corresponding to the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller; retrieving data corresponding to location information for the remote buyer; determining whether a tax is applicable for the item that is offered for sale on the website based, at least in part, on the location information for the remote buyer; if a tax is determined applicable, determining, based on the location information for the remote buyer, a tax factor for the first item by further performing the steps of; identifying, from the location information of the remote buyer, a political division associated with the remote buyer; and determining a tax rate corresponding to the political division associated with the remote buyer for the purchase of the first item; calculating the shipping rate of the item based at least in part on the one or more shipping preferences of the remote seller; (2) provide the shipping rate to the remote buyer computer over a network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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a computer interface configured to enable a plurality of remote sellers to each offer at least one item for sale on a website, wherein the plurality of remote sellers includes a first remote seller; one or more databases configured to store first data comprising location information for each of the plurality of remote sellers; one or more databases configured to store second data comprising one or more shipping preferences of each of the remote sellers, 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 third data corresponding to a price of a first item offered for sale by the first remote seller; a rate engine configured to determine, for a remote buyer, a shipping rate for the first item offered for sale by the first remote seller via the computer interface, wherein the rate engine is further configured to; retrieve, from the database, the second data corresponding to the one or more shipping preferences of the first remote seller; determine a tax factor for the first item that is offered for sale by the first remote seller on the website based, at least in part, on location information for the remote buyer; and calculate the shipping rate of the first item based at least in part on the one or more shipping preferences of the first remote seller. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification