E-commerce volume pricing

• US 7,689,469 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2006
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• 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:
  US11/464,376
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

In the volume pricing methodology, a seller initially establishes a price structure for a product which provides for lower prices as larger quantities of the product are purchased. The price structure is electronically made available to potential buyers of the product. For example, the price structure may be displayed on an Internet site. The sellers further establish an “open session” period during which orders for the product are accepted. During the open session period, multiple buyers are able to place orders for the product up to a maximum available quantity. At the end of the open session, the total quantity of products collectively ordered by all of the buyers is calculated. Based on the total quantity ordered, the final price to all buyers is the lowest price provided from the price structure regardless of whether the lowest price had been reached at the time a particular buyer placed their order during the open session.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates volume pricing, comprising:

at least one processor coupled to a memory that executes the following computer executable components;

a first component that generates a virtual forum configured to host a private deal room that displays an offer for an item for sale by a seller;

a second component that grants or forbids access to the private deal room, access is granted to a potential buyer who qualifies based at least in part on criteria chosen by the seller; and

a third component that determines a lowest price for the item.

2. The system of claim 1, access is granted to the potential buyer selected by the seller.

3. The system of claim 1, the criteria are terms and conditions.

4. The system of claim 1, the criteria must be accepted by the potential buyer.

5. The system of claim 1, the criteria must be met by the potential buyer.

6. The system of claim 1, the lowest price is based at least in part upon a price schedule that varies according to a total quantity ordered via the private deal room.

7. The system of claim 1, the offer includes at least one of a price schedule for the item, a current price level for the item, a total quantity of the item made available, a total quantity of the item purchased to date, or a total available quantity of the item remaining, which is displayed only in the private deal room.

8. The system of claim 1, the private deal room is configured to accept an order for the item from a buyer such that a bid for the item at a sale price displayed in the offer guarantees the order for the item at or below the sale price.

9. The system of claim 8, the seller sells the item to the buyer at a price equal to the lowest price, irrespective of a price associated with the order.

10. The system of claim 8, the buyer receives a line of credit in order to accept the offer.

11. The system of claim 1, the seller limits at least one of a maximum quantity available for the item and a maximum time during which the offer can be accepted.

12. The system of claim 1, the forum comprises a plurality of private deal rooms.

19. The system of claim 12, each of the plurality of private deal rooms includes a different price schedule for the item.

13. A method for facilitating volume pricing, comprising:

employing at least one processor to execute computer executable instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts;

selecting a set of buyers who qualify for access to a private deal room as a function of seller terms and conditions;

presenting an offer for a product or service to a buyer at a current price in the private deal room;

accepting a quantity of the product or service by the buyer;

aggregating a total quantity ordered via the deal room; and

updating a price point based at least in part upon the total quantity ordered.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising limiting the set of buyers to buyers selected by a seller of the product or service.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising limiting the set of buyers to buyers that accept or agree to a seller'"'"'s terms and conditions.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising limiting the set of buyers to buyers that meet or satisfy a seller'"'"'s terms and conditions.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising filling all orders at a final updated price point.

20. The method of claim 13, updating the price point as a function of a price schedule associated with the deal room.

18. A method for facilitating volume pricing, comprising:

employing at least one processor to execute computer executable instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts;

displaying an offer for an item at a specified price in a private electronic forum;

limiting access to the forum to participants satisfying a seller'"'"'s terms and conditions;

receiving an order for the item from at least one participant;

reducing the specified price when an amount of the item ordered exceeds a threshold; and

agreeing to fill all orders at the lowest specified price.