EP1203333A1 - Correlated individual unit sales price reduction based on cumulative sales - Google Patents
Correlated individual unit sales price reduction based on cumulative salesInfo
- Publication number
- EP1203333A1 EP1203333A1 EP00910126A EP00910126A EP1203333A1 EP 1203333 A1 EP1203333 A1 EP 1203333A1 EP 00910126 A EP00910126 A EP 00910126A EP 00910126 A EP00910126 A EP 00910126A EP 1203333 A1 EP1203333 A1 EP 1203333A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- price
- product
- sales
- service
- purchaser
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000001186 cumulative effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 4
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- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 48
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000013500 data storage Methods 0.000 claims description 5
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- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000013479 data entry Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 18
- 238000012384 transportation and delivery Methods 0.000 description 13
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 5
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- BSYNRYMUTXBXSQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Aspirin Chemical compound CC(=O)OC1=CC=CC=C1C(O)=O BSYNRYMUTXBXSQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229960001138 acetylsalicylic acid Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 235000021168 barbecue Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000013550 pizza Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000013439 planning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 244000287680 Garcinia dulcis Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000008331 Pinus X rigitaeda Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011613 Pinus brutia Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000018646 Pinus brutia Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000004789 Rosa xanthina Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000109329 Rosa xanthina Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
Definitions
- Internet search engines are available to assist prospective purchasers in locating websites where specific products, or types of products are being offered for sale. Manufacturers and distributors of various types of products and services have provided detailed descriptions and specifications at websites which they maintain. In some cases, manufacturers and distributors provide interactive purchase order display screens that permit customers to order, confirm the availability of, and pay for products via the Internet without any direct contact with the seller's personnel.
- the method and apparatus of the invention for operating a website on the Internet at which one or more products and/or services are offered for sale to consumers at an initial or base price and at one or more prospective lower prices that are correlated to or determined by the total number of sales orders for the specific product or service that are received by the seller.
- the discount, or reduced selling price can be based on each individual unit sold during a given time period, or can be reduced incrementally as the number of orders received reach specified numerical levels.
- the information for the product will include at least one target date in the future or a time limit by which the final selling price of the product will be confirmed to the buyer.
- the method of the invention can also be programmed to operate the system for the purchase of products at a special daily price if a sufficient number of orders are received, then the product will be sold at the specified lower price.
- the purchase order can be accepted with the understanding that it will be canceled if the volume of orders is insufficient to trigger the reduced final sales price and that the product will be shipped without further confirmation and the buyer billed at the end of the day, or other announced sale time.
- Also posted at the website in association with the product identification information is at least one lower alternative price and an associated number of prospective sales of the product that must be concluded in order for the initial or current price to be reduced ot the next lower alternative price
- a prospective purchaser or browser who visits the website is provided with information that establishes a direct correlation between the initial or current offering price for the product and the reduction in the price that will result from the confirmation of a specified number of prospective sales.
- the individual purchaser can therefore obtain the benefit of a specified quantity discount so long as the indicated number of purchase orders are confirmed in the future.
- a time period is also established during which the required number of purchase orders must be confirmed in order to secure a specified reduction or a lower price.
- incremental increases in the number of confirmed purchase order results in corresponding incremental decreases in the eventual final sales price of the product or service.
- the final sales price is entered into a data processing system and compared to all confirmed purchase orders.
- Purchase orders reflecting a sales price that is greater than the final selling price are sorted, and a credit for the price difference is transmitted to the purchaser's debit or credit account holder.
- a final confirmation of sale is also transmitted via e-mail, telephone, or facsimile to the purchaser.
- the final purchase order confirmation list is also transmitted to the fulfillment center, which may be the product's manufacturer, a regional or national distributor, wholesaler or local merchant.
- a notice can be transmitted to the purchaser with an option to rescind the purchase order, or to maintain the order for a further specified period of time. If the purchaser elects to rescind the order, a credit notice is transmitted to the purchaser's debit or credit account holder in the amount of the purchase price previously billed.
- the apparatus and method of the invention further comprehend according a purchaser of multiple units shipped to the same address a reduction from the pro rata shipping charges for a single unit to the same address; and according discounts to individuals or entities whose names appear on a "membership" list and/or to repeat purchasers, i.e. , to those who have completed a prescribed number of previous purchases in a prescribed period of time.
- Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a presently preferred embodiment of the method of the invention
- Figs. 2-5 are schematic illustrations of website screens depicting several aspects of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention
- Text and graphic or visual displays indicating the base price, target price, target date and current price can also be provided on the same page or on a separate page with the partially completed order form for the product or service.
- the webpage can include a visual display such as that depicted in Fig. 2 which depicts a series of bar graphs reflecting time and increasing quantities purchased.
- an appropriate instruction or icon is provided to guide the prospective purchaser, and to assist in completing the purchase order form.
- the buyer will be asked to select a target price and/or a target date for confirmation of the sale and fulfillment, and will also be asked to acknowledge the financial terms of the transaction including any non- refundable deposit, handling charges, service fees, and the like that will be billed to a debit or credit account holder.
- the purchaser will also be prompted to electronically store or print a record of the purchase order as completed and authorized for future reference in determining any price reductions, the status of the order and/or its fulfillment upon receipt of the product or service.
- the website will preferably include information displays relating to the original or base sales price and the current reduced price, if any, based on orders received. This information is presented in real time so that those who have already placed purchase orders as well as prospective buyers can see what price reductions have occurred since the product was originally entered at the website and offered for sale. Pricing information can be displayed in any number of graphic forms, including bar graphs, pie charts, numerical tabulations, or the like. Target price reductions can be correlated to display an estimated date upon which the target price will be reached based upon the number of units sold; or the estimated final sales price can be provided as of the target date, where the sale will conclude on a date certain period.
- the system can also advantageously be programmed to provide a real time graphic display at the website to display the purchase price as it may be reduced by each confirmed purchase order, or to indicate the rate at which orders are being received to achieve the next incremental price reduction.
- a real time graphic display at the website to display the purchase price as it may be reduced by each confirmed purchase order, or to indicate the rate at which orders are being received to achieve the next incremental price reduction.
- orders can be placed at stores, either directly by the customer or through the intermediary of a store clerk, at kiosks, or the like, established for the purpose, or
- the method of the invention comprehends and can accommodate a variety of payment and billing systems.
- the prospective buyer is a member of the prospective buyer.
- the "hold" amount is replaced with a charge and fund transfer to the
- a deposit in a predetermined dollar amount is charged to the buyer's credit or debit account at the time that the purchase order is processed and confirmed.
- a deposit in a predetermined dollar amount is charged to the buyer's credit or debit account at the time that the purchase order is processed and confirmed.
- the computer can be
- the fulfillment of product orders is preferably undertaken by the manufacturer, a national distributor or a regional warehouse facility by means that
- the target date whether
- a first, second or subsequent date is the parameter used to initiate the fulfillment process.
- quantitydiscount.com will be used to identify a website that exists to create a mutually beneficial commercial environment to all purchasers in the marketplace based on the principle of quantity discounts.
- the initial offering price, as well as one or more incremental discount prices, must be determined for each product or service offered at the website.
- the website operator may choose to commit to the purchase of a certain volume of goods with the expectation that they can be sold over a specified period of time at one or more incrementally discounted prices.
- Products in this category could include photographic film, batteries, small appliances, and the like, which are readily available from manufacturers and/or wholesalers in large volume on short notice.
- a graphic display such as that shown in Fig. 3 can be displayed to manufacturers or other suppliers by the website operator.
- the apparatus for the practice of the invention includes one or more appropriately programmed computers of the type conventionally used for establishing an Internet website used for electronic commerce.
- Appropriate software is commercially available for transmitting appropriate purchase order forms receiving the data entered by the prospective purchaser communicating with the purchaser's credit or debit account holder and confirming the placement in terms of the order.
- the ordering process by clicking on an appropriate icon associated with the product displayed on the screen which calls up a partially completed purchase order form upon which the remaining information is entered.
- the order is paid for using a debit or credit card account number and the buyer is given the option to either provide a
- the data processing system will, when queried, calculate and display the discount, which the shopper can compare to the original retail or initial offering price, thereby determining then-current savings.
- a toll-free number can be
- FIG. 5 An example of an element of a graphic screen display for use in a sale event for a gas barbecue grill is shown in Fig. 5. A similar display
- Some examples of consumer service providers that can benefit from the practice of the invention are lawn services, landscaping services, chimney sweeping
- volume buying discounts works for all types of business enterprises, and in many instances can present smaller companies with an opportunity to "even the playing field" with their larger competitors.
- Other classes of purchasers such as individual municipalities can obtain price reductions on orders for standard items, e.g. , orange safety cones for new construction projects. Stop signs and street lights, concrete and reflective material can be purchased at a discount when combined with time-based orders from other municipalities, permitting smaller governmental agencies or units to obtain savings that otherwise could not be negotiated with suppliers.
- the website is established to include a registry for suppliers of specialized products or services to fulfill purchase orders in relatively small cells or geographic regions.
- This embodiment is conveniently illustrated by the following example which also describes a seasonal product and service that will be of interest in consumers residing in predetermined geographical areas.
- the product and service is the delivery of firewood in a specified unit, i.e. , a cord of wood.
- Various types of wood e.g. , pine, oak, etc. , can form subclasses of the product.
- the economics of handling and distribution dictate relatively small geographic areas over which a particular supplier can provide the service.
- the Internet operator therefore solicits suppliers at its website that will undertake to service a specified area. This information is entered into a supplier's database, along with minimum pricing and volume requirements and capabilities.
- fireplace wood can be posted to the website at any time in advance of the heating season with fulfillment target dates being established in relation to ⁇ average temperatures in particular geographic areas.
- the market can be subdivided and individual purchase orders processed according to postal zip codes.
- large volumes of orders that an individual local business might not be in a position to supply can be satisfied by truckload deliveries of the required product to the local distributor based upon advance orders.
- Another preferred embodiment of the apparatus and method of the invention includes the establishment of a "preferred purchaser" data list in a memory device.
- One form of preferred purchase list is a membership list in which members are identified either by their names or, preferably, by an identification number such as an individual's social security number or a legal entity's federal tax identification number or EIN.
- the website can display a different lower price or percentage of price reduction that will be afforded to preferred purchasers who are members.
- Many discount retailers have established membership fees and require all purchasers to identify themselves by displaying a membership card, which membership can only be maintained by payment of an annual fee; non-members are not allowed to make purchases.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US25003999A | 1999-02-12 | 1999-02-12 | |
US250039 | 1999-02-12 | ||
PCT/US2000/003421 WO2000048104A1 (en) | 1999-02-12 | 2000-02-09 | Correlated individual unit sales price reduction based on cumulative sales |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1203333A1 true EP1203333A1 (en) | 2002-05-08 |
EP1203333A4 EP1203333A4 (en) | 2002-07-17 |
Family
ID=22946058
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00910126A Withdrawn EP1203333A4 (en) | 1999-02-12 | 2000-02-09 | Correlated individual unit sales price reduction based on cumulative sales |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1203333A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU767988B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2362467A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000048104A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7146330B1 (en) | 1999-02-08 | 2006-12-05 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | Method and system for creating and managing groups for increasing buying power on the world wide web |
US6631356B1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2003-10-07 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | Demand aggregation through online buying groups |
US7194427B1 (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2007-03-20 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | On-line group-buying sale with increased value system and method |
US6101484A (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2000-08-08 | Mercata, Inc. | Dynamic market equilibrium management system, process and article of manufacture |
US7480627B1 (en) | 1999-07-06 | 2009-01-20 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | System and method for extension of group buying throughout the internet |
US7263498B1 (en) | 2000-05-23 | 2007-08-28 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | Attaining product inventory groupings for sales in a group-buying environment |
JP2001338117A (en) * | 2000-05-25 | 2001-12-07 | Internatl Business Mach Corp <Ibm> | Server, information communication terminal, method for managing sales of commodity, storage medium and program transmission device |
US7912748B1 (en) * | 2005-06-01 | 2011-03-22 | Sap Ag | Method and system for determining price markdown schedule |
CN101599951A (en) | 2008-06-06 | 2009-12-09 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | A kind of method of releasing website information, Apparatus and system |
CN111598649A (en) * | 2020-04-17 | 2020-08-28 | 广东工业大学 | Outsourcing processing method and platform based on block chain |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998003928A1 (en) * | 1996-07-23 | 1998-01-29 | Lextron Systems, Inc. | Integrated services on intranet and internet |
US5761663A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1998-06-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for distributed task fulfillment of web browser requests |
US5793972A (en) * | 1996-05-03 | 1998-08-11 | Westminster International Computers Inc. | System and method providing an interactive response to direct mail by creating personalized web page based on URL provided on mail piece |
EP0862150A2 (en) * | 1997-02-12 | 1998-09-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Vending machine with prices adapted to forecasted demand |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB9027249D0 (en) * | 1990-12-17 | 1991-02-06 | Reuters Ltd | Offer matching system |
US5794207A (en) * | 1996-09-04 | 1998-08-11 | Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for a cryptographically assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate buyer-driven conditional purchase offers |
EP0686926A3 (en) * | 1994-05-24 | 1996-06-12 | Ron S Dembo | Method and apparatus for optimal portfolio replication |
JP3133243B2 (en) * | 1995-12-15 | 2001-02-05 | 株式会社エヌケーインベストメント | Online shopping system |
US5799284A (en) * | 1996-03-13 | 1998-08-25 | Roy E. Bourquin | Software and hardware for publishing and viewing products and services for sale |
US5835896A (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1998-11-10 | Onsale, Inc. | Method and system for processing and transmitting electronic auction information |
US5913210A (en) * | 1998-03-27 | 1999-06-15 | Call; Charles G. | Methods and apparatus for disseminating product information via the internet |
-
2000
- 2000-02-09 EP EP00910126A patent/EP1203333A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-02-09 AU AU32269/00A patent/AU767988B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-02-09 WO PCT/US2000/003421 patent/WO2000048104A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-02-09 CA CA002362467A patent/CA2362467A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5761663A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1998-06-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for distributed task fulfillment of web browser requests |
US5793972A (en) * | 1996-05-03 | 1998-08-11 | Westminster International Computers Inc. | System and method providing an interactive response to direct mail by creating personalized web page based on URL provided on mail piece |
WO1998003928A1 (en) * | 1996-07-23 | 1998-01-29 | Lextron Systems, Inc. | Integrated services on intranet and internet |
EP0862150A2 (en) * | 1997-02-12 | 1998-09-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Vending machine with prices adapted to forecasted demand |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
No Search * |
See also references of WO0048104A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2000048104A1 (en) | 2000-08-17 |
AU767988B2 (en) | 2003-11-27 |
EP1203333A4 (en) | 2002-07-17 |
CA2362467A1 (en) | 2000-08-17 |
AU3226900A (en) | 2000-08-29 |
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Legal Events
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
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