WO2015057158A1

WO2015057158A1 - Discount, review, & reward system

Info

Publication number: WO2015057158A1
Application number: PCT/SG2013/000441
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chau Siong NG
Original assignee: Ng Chau Siong
Priority date: 2013-10-16
Filing date: 2013-10-16
Publication date: 2015-04-23

Abstract

There is provided a system (100) comprising: a vendor review module (110) configured to receive customer feedback on a plurality of vendors (106); and a customer reward module (110) configured to store a plurality of reward accounts for each respective customer. The customer reward module (110) credits each customer's reward account with a predetermined reward if that customer shares, with at least one other customer, a link to an item or store of items purchaseable within the system (100); and if the least one other customer completes a sale or purchase based on the link.

Description

Discount, Review, & Reward System

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a Discount, Review, & Reward System.

BACKGROUND

Various systems or websites have been developed for reviewing products and/or services, such as the feedback mechanism provided on auction websites eg: eBay®, or on 3^rd party review websites such as TripAdvisor®. However the vast majority of customers do not provide meaningful or useful feedback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms the present invention proposes a feedback or review mechanism, which remunerates reviews with future discounts or redeemable reward points. This may have the advantage that more consumers are motivated to leave useful and accurate feedback about vendors, and subsequent consumers may therefore be able to access more accurate and timely information regarding those vendors in a real-time manner. In a first specific expression of the invention there is provided a system comprising: a vendor review module configured to receive customer feedback on a plurality of vendors; and

a customer reward module configured to store a plurality of reward accounts for each respective customer;

wherein the customer reward module credits each customer's reward account with a predetermined reward if that customer shares, with at least one other customer, a link to an item or store of items purchaseable within the system; and the least one other customer completes a sale or purchase based on the link. In a second specific expression of the invention there is provided a system comprising: a sales module configured to receive pricing and stock levels of items from a plurality of vendors and to receive purchase requests for the items from a plurality of customers; and

wherein, on fulfilment of a purchase request, the customer reward module calculates a progressive discount to be credited to the customer.

Embodiments may be implemented according to any of claims 2 to 8 or 10 to 13.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more example embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the following figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system for reviewing vendors or items after a transaction according to an example embodiment;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a transaction process according to the example embodiment;

Figure 3 is a screen shot of a shopping page;

Figure 4 is a screen shot of a purchase page;

Figure 5 is a screen shot of a homepage; Figure 6 is a screen shot of an item gallery page;

Figure 7 is a screen shot of a sharing via twitter page;

Figure 8 is a screen shot of a sharing via any preferred social media page;

Figure 9 is a screen shot of an invitation via preferred social media or webmail; and Figure 10 is a screen shot of a profile page.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system 100 for rewarding customer reviews is shown in Figure 1 according to a first embodiment. A user interface 102 allows the customer to execute transactions via an ecommerce server 104. The ecommerce server 104, in turn interfaces with a series of vendor servers 106 for pricing and stock levels of a range of goods and services provided by each vendor.

The ecommerce server 104 includes a database 108 storing historical data provided by each consumer in relation to each vendor. Prospective subsequent consumers can register with the website, and once authorised they can view historical review data on each vendor.

The ecommerce server 104 includes a rewards system 110. The rewards system 110 comprises a vendor review module configured to receive customer feedback on a plurality of vendors, and a customer reward module configured to store a plurality of reward accounts for each respective customer. Each registered user (consumer and vendor) has a rewards account. The customer's account can be credited with rewards by virtue of the customer sharing links to items offered by, or stores operated by, vendors. When a link to an item is shared with another customer (a referee), if the referee subsequently completes a purchase of the item based on the link, the customer reward module credits the customer's account with a reward. In order to be able to make use of the credited reward the customer must also leave a valid review of the item via the vendor review module. Similarly, if the customer shares a link to a store, if the referee makes a purchase from the store then the customer is credited with a reward (but the reward is locked and unusable until a review is left). In certain embodiments the customer rewards module may also credit the customer with a reward if the referee makes a sale of the item (or from the store) to another customer. Advantageously, by locking the reward until the customer purchases an item, the customer is encouraged to try the item before recommending it. The quality of feedback visible by other users of the system is thereby improved, because the proportion of users who share only for the purposes of collecting rewards is diminished.

In alternative embodiments, the link being shared need not be to the item or store itself, but to a review of the item or store which has been input to the system (via the vendor review module) by the customer. Sharing of a link may be performed by a number of methods including:

1. Sharing the review on a social networking site

2. Any form of communication including email, SMS, printed articles, word-of-mouth, etc. as long as the url parameters are valid, (www.domain. com/item. php?l_ID=11&share_ID=22). Share ID is a reference uniquely associated with the sharer, for example the sharer's member ID. In the present specification, a "referee" is a user referred by another user of the system.

Reward process

The review left by each customer as mentioned above will result in rewards being credited and unlocked once the review is approved. In order to avoid abuse, the rewards are only credited after a complete sale and not if the sale is cancelled or in dispute. The credibility of the review process is protected by:

1. Sellers can rate customers too.

2. Users (customers and sellers) with rating below a predetermined threshold (e.g.

2.0/5.0 where 5.0 is the maximum rating) are not allowed to leave a rating or review.

3. Credibility of reviews are sorted by a share system.

a. Every time a user rates & reviews an item, with a rating higher than or equal to a predetermined threshold (e.g. 4.0/5.0), "sharers" of the 4th tier and upwards are awarded with a "cheers". As will be described in greater detail below, a tier refers to a level of connectivity between two users in a hierarchy of users. For example, if user A shares an item with user B, user A is a 1^st tier sharer for user B. If user B then shares the same item with user C, A is a 2^nd tier sharer of B and B is a 1^st tier sharer of C. b. Essentially, the more cheers a review / member has, the more effective the review / member is at recommending the product / service to others. c. This type of system is superior to a system which simply monitors how often users find a review "useful" (e.g. via a "click to rate this review useful" link associated with an item), which can be subjected to abuse. The present system advantageously gives greater weight to a review which helps match a happy buyer with a happy seller,

d. Advantageously, because the system is automated, every review or rating propagates upwards through the hierarchy and contributes to the feedback for the item. Because users do not have direct control of other users with whom they share links and who will be leaving subsequent reviews, the system is nearly impossible to abuse. Sign up process

As shown in Figure 5 and 10 a user can simply sign up with 1 click of their favourite social media. They can then add in any additional required information, including other social networks they are registered on. Tier structure

Each user may be part of a hierarchy, and other users higher in the hierarchy may obtain a share of any rewards earned by those lower in the hierarchy. For example a typical process 200 is shown in Figure 2. Abe purchases an item from store Zalora 202. The sale is completed without dispute 204 by Abe or Zalora. Then Abe provides a review 206, and rates the item at Zalora with 5 stars. If Abe's own rating is below 2.0, he will not be able to rate & review. If Abe gives an unsupported negative review, the seller may report it & the review may be revoked. Abe then shares the review / item / store to his twitter friends 208 as shown in Figure 7. A share ID should be in the URL Abe shared (e.g. www.domain. com/item. php?l_ID=11&share_ID=22). One of Abe's friends, Bela, clicks the link 210. If Bela is a member, the database registers Abe as sharer of store Zaiora to Bela and this share is valid for 1 year since the first visit to the link. During this period if Bela visits other links to store Zaiora, the visits will not be registered in relation to Abe's account. If Bela is not a member, the IP address, or other identifier information, is registered in database against Abe's ID number as sharer. When Bela signs up, Abe is updated as the sharer of store Zaiora to Bela. In this case, Abe is also registered as the inviter of Bela. Bela can, of course, be invited separately via social media or email (instead of sharing), as shown in Figure 9. During the 1 year, Bela may go shopping as shown in Figure 3. If Bela makes a purchase as shown in Figure 4 and 6, from the store Zaiora, Abe will receive a tier 1 share reward offered by store Zaiora 212. If Abe shares the item / store without a review, he will receive credit, but it will be locked and he will be unable to utilize or withdraw it. Advantageously, by requiring that Abe leave a review to unlock the credit, the system encourages Abe to leave active feedback, thereby providing useful information to other users regarding the quality of items shared by Abe.

Bela shares the review / item / store, and Cyrus visits the link 214. Abe becomes a tier 2 sharer / inviter of Cyrus, while Bela is tier 1 , and receives according rewards. In certain embodiments, the cycle repeats up to 4 tiers, though it will be appreciated that the system may be configured to apply rewards for any number of tiers.

Thus the reward earning from tier members may be initiated when a sale is completed within a year of the referee's sign up. For example:

Tier Rewards (% of Total Referral) Note 1 12% Everyone who Abe Invited will be Abe's Tier 1 Members.

2 6% Everyone who Abe's Tier 1 Members Invited will be Abe's Tier 2

Members.

3 3% Everyone who Abe's Tier 2 Members Invited will be Abe's Tier 3

Members.

4 1 % Everyone who Abe's Tier 3 Members Invited will be Abe's Tier 4

Members.

As mentioned above tier members only receive their share of tier rewards once the user has provided a review on a completed sale. Thus tier members may nudge others to provide the reviews. This may further encourage the provision of accurate and timely reviews.

The rewards can be used to purchase items on the site or they can withdraw rewards as cash via cheque, internet banking, paypal masspay, etc

Invitation process (e.g. for user "Abe")

Each user can invite new users to join via social networking.

1. Sign in. A share ID or other identifier should appear in the URL.

2. Share with any social network button on top of the page.

3. Anyone who clicks through Abe's link is automatically "invited". The link include Abe's ID number eg: www.domain.com?share_ID=<Abebe ID>

4. Abe can also redirect users to the url with Abe's share ID through other channels. The invite Reward has a fixed period for which it is valid, and existing members cannot be invited. During the valid period the inviter will earn rewards for any completed sales or purchases by the invitee. Sharing process (e.g. for user "Abe")

Each user can share or advertise vendors they endorse via social networking.

How to Share.

1. Sign in.

2. Goto the product, service, or store page Abe wants to share.

3. Share with any social network button as shown in Figure 8.

4. Anyone who clicks through Abe's link is automatically "shared".

5. If a non-member clicks Abe's link & signs up, he/she is automatically invited. Abe can also redirect users to the URL containing Abe's share ID through other channels, for example by providing the URL in an email or SMS, or directly on a webpage.

The share Reward has a fixed period for which it is valid, and existing members can be invited. During the valid period the sharer will earn rewards for any completed sales by the sharee. Once the fixed period is over ANY sharer can re-share the same store to the same sharee.

The system may be configured to allow unlimited re-sharing (i.e. upon expiry of the valid period, share again) for perpetual rewards, while invite rewards are preferably only provided once (until expiry of the valid period). This is to overcome disadvantages associated with most, if not all existing network marketing systems, which are extremely biased towards higher tier members. In existing systems, overriding often lasts forever. This inevitably means that existing networks are unsustainable, because smart active members exploit the system and simply seek out new networks, which they can join as higher tier members. The core of a self-sustaining market should be promoting activity (share and sales), which generally means social media sharing. And sharing can be recurrent (unlike invite, which is a one-time occurrence). Accordingly, in embodiments of the system, an invite reward is used to promote growth, and will expire after some time. On the other hand, a share reward is used to promote sustainability, re-usability, and growth, and can be renewed even after expiry (by simply sharing it again).

One or more embodiments may have the advantage that

reviews may be designed to be simple, fun, & "social-able" where users can share via any social media.

Sharing a personal experience review may stimulate much higher interest

(thus, click-through rate) in an individual's network.

Review may encourage Merchants to continually improve on quality & service.

In existing systems, most users of apps, customers of a store, or buyers of a product, do not bother to leave reviews, simply because it does not benefit them directly. This is despite the fact that there is a consolidated community with the dynamic to encourage people to do so. By offering a small reward for valuable feedback, in a social network platform, with the majority of users leaving feedback (in order to receive benefits which are largely unavailable without doing so), there is greater impetus for vendors to rapidly improve quality of products and services. Advantageously, therefore, small to medium enterprises may save considerably on marketing costs, unethical merchants may be filtered out quickly, sellers may focus more on quality and service, and consumers may be able to make a much better informed decision while shopping.

Progressive discount.

Certain embodiments may provide for Merchants (vendors) to offer a progressive discount to attract repeat sales. For example, a progressive discount may be implemented in one or more of the following ways.

Discount & Referral

Rewards system 1 0 may be configured to provide rewards in the form of a Discount & Referral. In this example, a discount is awarded to a customer making a purchase from the vendor and a referral bonus is rewarded to a member (the referrer) who referred the customer to the vendor. The total amount allocated to the Discount & Referral may be split between the customer and the referrer, for example with 50% of Discount & Referral is assigned as Discount, the other 50% as Referral. A wide range of other percentage splits may be chosen depending on the customer behaviour that the vendor wishes to drive. For example, if the vendor wants to ensure that as many users as possible are directed to his store, a larger referral reward could be offered (e.g. 70%), whilst still rewarding customers who purchase but do not necessarily refer (e.g. 30% discount).

The Discount & Referral may be a fixed dollar amount and/or a percentage which progressively increases at predetermined thresholds. For example, the Discount & Referral may be a first percentage (e.g. 10%) for that portion of the cost of an item less than or equal to a first threshold (e.g. $100), and a second, higher percentage (e.g. 20%) for the portion above the first threshold (optionally up to a maximum threshold beyond which no further discount is offered). Alternatively the values may be fixed dollar amounts with the second (and subsequent) value being higher than the first value (e.g. $5 and $10). In a further alternative the progressive discount may be calculated based on a quantity of items purchased, with the discount increasing as the quantity increases. In a yet further alternative there may be a mixture of calculation methods applied to calculate the discount, for example a fixed value discount on the portion below the first threshold and a percentage discount on the portion above the first threshold.

A minimum level of the Discount & Referral may be defined (optionally for purchase prices above a defined threshold), such that the customer and the referrer are guaranteed a minimum reward, whether in percentage terms or fixed value terms, regardless of the actual purchase price (or regardless of the price above the threshold if one is defined).

Advantageously, the Discount & Referral method may be applied automatically to each item being offered for sale via vendor servers 106, instead of using coupons, vouchers, membership cards, etc. This simplifies the management of the rewards.

Example:

Purchases from $0 to $100 may have a Discount & Referral percentage of 10%;

Purchases from $100.01 to $300 may have a Discount & Referral percentage of 20%; i.e. : $0 to $100, discount $5; $100.01 ~$300 discount $10.

For a TOTAL purchase of $120,

customer will pay only $105 after discount

(first level price after discount=$95, second level price after discount=$10).

The vendor may specify that Discount & Referral is not applicable to sales tax. Storewide discount

In this example, the discount accumulates by amount spent on items offered by a particular vendor in a particular store. The discounted amount may be a fixed dollar amount and/or a percentage which progressively increases at predetermined thresholds, along similar lines to the discounting method discussed above.

The discount is applied to the total price of each batch of purchased items. A loyalty discount may be applied in respect of all items from the same store which are in the batch. The storewide discount advantageously encourages repeat visits by customers to the vendor's store.

Storewide with loyalty

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a discount may be applied based on historical completed purchases from the same store, the details of which are stored in the customer's account. The storewide with loyalty discount may be in addition to a storewide discount. If historical purchases were made in one or more different currencies than that of the purchase under consideration, calculation of the discount may include communicating with a currency conversion server (such as Google currency converter, http://www.google.com/finance/converter) in order to convert the amounts of previous purchases. In this example, customers can rely on accumulated historical purchases to enjoy better discounts. This strongly encourages repeat sales & referral business.

Item discount

In this example, a discount is applied for the selected item only. The Item discount will override any storewide discount for the selected item. The discount accumulates according to the quantity of the selected item in a batch of purchased items, and is applied to each unit's price. For example, a percentage discount may be applied for the first five items, and a higher percentage discount applied to the next 10 items. Item with Loyalty

In this example, a discount is applied for completed historical purchases of the selected item. As for the Item discount method, the discount is applied to each unit's price based on the historical purchased quantity of that same item. Postage Discount

An optional postage discount may be offered to customers, but typically will not be offered to referrers. The postage discount does not compound (see example below).

For example, suppose the postage price is $5. The vendor may offer a postage discount of $1 for items in the range $0 to $10, and $2 for items in the range $10.01 to $30. For a total purchase of $70, the postage discount will be $2 (since the discount does not compound and the $1 discount for the first $10 is therefore not included). The total postage cost after discount is thus $3. Hardware and Software

The ecommerce server 104 may be configured for ecommerce websites or it may be configured for Point of Sale (POS) as well. For example the user interface 102 may be provided over the counter at the POS. The seller may registers the sale over counter, the buyer receives message on their mobile, acknowledge & pay with their NFC enabled mobile, receives an electronic receipt, without cash or a physical credit card. Then the buyer may enter the review either using a mobile computing device such as a smartphone or tablet (for example, in the user interface of a web browser or dedicated mobile application), or later on their computer. This POS system may avoid the cost of renting a credit card reader, and may be more convenient for both parties.

Whilst exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, many variations are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed as will be clear to a skilled reader.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a vendor review module configured to receive customer feedback on a plurality of vendors; and

wherein the customer reward module credits each customer's reward account with a predetermined reward if that customer shares, with at least one other customer, a link to an item or store of items purchaseable within the system; and the least one other customer completes a sale or purchase based on the link.

2. The system in claim 1 , wherein the predetermined reward is locked until the customer submits valid feedback on the item or store to the vendor review module, and/or until the customer completes a purchase of the item or from the store.

3. The system in claim 1 or 2, wherein if the at least one other customer shares the link with at least one further customer, and the at least one further customer completes a sale or purchase based on the link, the customer reward module credits the customer's reward account with a smaller predetermined reward.

4. The system in any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a social network interface module configured to allow customers to invite contacts on their social networks to register on the system.

5. The system in any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a social network interface module configured to allow customers to share or advertise vendors on the system to contacts on their social networks.

6. The system in claim 4 or 5 wherein the customer's reward account is credited with a predetermined reward if their social network contact subsequently uses the system.

7. The system in claim 6 wherein if the social network contact that subsequently uses the system in turn refers subsequent contacts to the system, the original customer's reward account is credited with a smaller predetermined reward.

8. The system in claim 7 wherein the customer reward module is configured to only credit the reward accounts for a predetermined period from an initiating event.

9. A system comprising:

a sales module configured to receive pricing and stock levels of items from a plurality of vendors and to receive purchase requests for the items from a plurality of customers; and a customer reward module configured to store a plurality of reward accounts for each respective customer;

10. The system in claim 9 wherein the customer reward module is configured to retrieve historical purchase data relating to previous purchases from a reward account of the customer, and to calculate the progressive discount based on the historical purchase data.

11. The system in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the progressive discount is calculated based on one or more vendors with which the purchase request is associated or based on one or more items with which the purchase request is associated.

12. The system in claim 11 , wherein the progressive discount is calculated based on a total value of the purchase request and/or a quantity of items in the purchase request.

13. The system in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein if the customer has been referred by another customer, the other customer's reward account is credited with a portion of the progressive discount.