REVERSE AUCTIONS FOR TRADE ITEMS

摘要

The present invention concerns computer-based methods and systems for performing buyer-initiated reverse auctions to purchase consumer products and services. The invention allows a prospective buyer who commits to purchase a particular consumer good or service for not more than a buyer-specified price to initiate a reverse auction online amongst accredited vendors of the consumer product or service in order to purchase the product or service on terms at least as favorable as initially specified by the buyer. In a preferred embodiment, a computer system according to the invention includes a network computer that receives particular product/service descriptions and buyer-specified price ceilings from financially committed buyers. The system then initiates a reverse auction amongst accredited potential vendors who bid against one another in an effort to secure the sale. Upon the auction's closing, the accredited vendor that offered the most favorable terms to the buyer is awarded the sale. The vendor is then paid and the product or service delivered or provided to the buyer. The present invention will revolutionize commerce by empowering buyers to purchase products and services at or below prices they determine.

主权项

1. A computer-based reverse auction method, comprising:
a. inputting into a computer a purchase order that comprises at least one item descriptor for a target product or service a buyer wishes to purchase, wherein the item descriptor(s) allows the target product or service to be distinguished from non-target products or services, and a ceiling purchase price for the target product or service; b. providing a payment indicator evidencing irrevocable availability of funds associated with the buyer in an amount sufficient to pay the ceiling purchase price if a closing occurs for a reverse auction corresponding to the purchase order; c. obtaining an auction identifier for identification of a reverse auction corresponding to the purchase order and payment indicator; d. after obtaining the auction identifier, using the computer to initiate a reverse auction having a defined auction period (optionally 1-72 hours, 1-60 days, or 1-6 months) by transmitting a buyer's purchase offer to and soliciting acceptance thereof from at least one prospective seller, optionally an accredited seller, of the target product or service during the auction period, wherein the buyer's purchase offer comprises at least one of the item descriptors and a product/service purchase price equal to or less than the ceiling purchase price, and wherein acceptance of the buyer's purchase offer comprises a prospective seller of the target product or service providing during the auction period a selling price equal to or less than the product/service purchase price; and e. if (X) no prospective, optionally accredited, seller accepts the buyer's purchase offer during the auction period, terminating the auction; (Y) one prospective, optionally accredited, seller accepts the buyer's purchase offer during the auction period, closing the auction at the conclusion of the auction period, fixing as the final sales price the selling price for the target product or service, and awarding the sale of the target product or service to such optionally accredited seller; or (Z) more than one prospective, optionally accredited seller, accepts the buyer's purchase offer during the auction period, closing the auction at the conclusion of the auction period, awarding the sale of the target product or service to the prospective, optionally accredited, seller that first accepted during the auction period the buyer's purchase offer on terms most favorable to the buyer, and fixing as the final sales price the selling price provided by the optionally accredited seller awarded the sale.