Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the sale of commodity-like goods/services

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for facilitating the sale of commodity-like goods / services. The commodity-like goods / services at which the invention is directed, are of a type that are relatively indistinguishable from one brand, identity and / or outlet to another in end-use functionality and features. These types of goods / services are many times sold at retail under various brands or identities at multiple locations, to the final end user. Such goods / services may also or separately be of a type that are repeatedly purchased at intervals, and / or for which the price varies between purchases, from outlet to outlet or brand to brand. The goods / services may also be of a character such that they are not deliverable to the consumer, but require the consumer to travel to the retailer outlet. The system and methods also provide information relating to the consumers and competitors of a retailer of such goods / services. The invention establishes methods and procedures to define, organize, collect, distribute, and maintain information that can be used by the owner of a business selling commodity-like goods / services as well as by its customers. This information may include, but is not limited to, name brand of the product, location of the retailer, price of the product, other related goods / services available and their prices, and promotions. These processes may be performed and implemented on a computer network that is accessible in real time via a suitable communication device, such as a computer, wireless communication device, telephone or the like. A database of such information is created, allowing the consumer and other retailers to query the database using various search criteria. The consumer has the opportunity to obtain information about retailers of commodity-like goods / services that meet the consumer's requirements, and pricing may be guaranteed by the retailer.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 09 / 630,514, filed Aug. 2, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for facilitating the sale of retail goods and / or services that are not easily or readily delivered to the consumer, or where the prices of such goods and / or services are not readily determined except at the retail outlet, such as vehicle fuels. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Various retail goods / services cannot be purchased / performed other than at the outlet of the retailer of such goods / services. Goods such as gasoline, diesel fuel, propane and a variety of other fuels, as well as services including vehicle repair or servicing, laundry and dry cleaning services, food service and the like, must generally be physically acquired at the retail outlet. [0004] As with most items for sale, consumers of retail goods / services tha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] It is also an object of the invention to provide systems and methods for facilitating the sale of goods / services which are subject to rapid, volatile, and / or asynchronous price fluctuations.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the consumer presently has only limited ways to determine if a particular retailer of such goods / services has additional goods / services that may be of interest.

Unfortunately, in the case of these types of goods / services, the consumer often has to drive around to assess the prices of competing retailers in order to determine which retailer has the most attractive price.

As a result, much time, vehicle operating expense, and effort can be expended in trying to determine the most attractive price.

Further, because of the frequent, volatile, and / or asynchronous price fluctuations of such goods / services, consumers find that prices can change between the time that they are observed and the time that the purchase is consummated.

Further, retailers attempt to attract customers through costly advertising on television, radio, or in print, but again limitations exist as to what information can be conveyed to the consumer.

In some cases, the prices of these goods / services are so volatile that it is impractical to advertise them other than at the outlet where they are purchased.

However, advertising is a passive form of communication and it does not allow the retailer of these commodity-like goods or services to compile current, actual demographic data of its customers.

Without this data, a retailer can only infer what the needs of his consumers are.

As a result, the retailer may offer goods / services that do not precisely meet the needs of the consumer, or the retailer may miss out on revenue opportunities by not providing the goods / services that consumers are interested in purchasing.

It is also difficult for retailers, relative to their competition, to assess pricing and other variables for these types of goods / services.

This is particularly true when the price of such goods / services may be subject to rapid, volatile, and asynchronous price fluctuations in the marketplace.

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