| 摘要 |
A method of preserving bidder and lister anonymity during early stages of an on-line auction includes using an anonymous email server to facilitate communications between bidders and listers (prospective sellers). Typically, each auction listing includes a lister user ID, an item description, and a start price and a reserve price (94). The method includes receiving bids responsive to the listings from prospective buyers (96). The method includes enabling anonymous communication via the anonymous email server between the lister and the bidder during the auction (98). Only when the reserve price is met or exceeded by a bidder, the bidder is entitled to receive the lister's contact information (100). This enables serious bidders that have met or bid in excess of the reserve price, but lost the auction to another bidder, to later strike a deal with the seller. The seller remains anonymous to all but those serious bidders who have met the reserve price.
|
