摘要 |
A method and apparatus for a customer pre-purchasing goods, such as liquid fuel, from an entity and taking possession of the goods at a later time. Fuel is dispensed at a fuel-dispensing facility operated by a third party. The customer pre-purchases the fuel, such as by transmitting money to the entity. The entity sends evidence of the pre-purchase to the customer. The customer presents the evidence of the pre-purchase to the third party. The evidence verifies the customer's right to the fuel. The third party verifies the evidence and then permits the customer to dispense the fuel, such as into a fuel tank. The entity then transmits to the third party a second amount of money related to the amount of fuel dispensed. The second amount of money is substantially equal to a value of the dispensed fuel at the second time. |