Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase an item from a merchant, where one or more merchants provide bids to sell the item to the customer. In one embodiment, the broker can sell the item to the customer for a defined price determined based on pricing criteria, and then accept bids from merchants offering the item for sale to select a merchant to provide the item based on selection criteria. In another embodiment, the bidding is done in real time before the item is sold to the customer. The broker selects a merchant out of the merchants providing bids, and the broker quotes a price to the customer. Once the customer has agreed to pay the price, the broker can sell the item to the customer. The broker manages the completion of the transaction and payment of the merchant.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim