This invention was not federally sponsored.
The present invention relates generally to the field of purchasing, selling and exchanging motor vehicle parts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and related software program for the purchasing, selling and exchanging of motor vehicle parts. In differing embodiments, the program may be software or a mobile application that allows a user toobtain the value of unneeded vehicle parts. Further, the user can input a plurality of criteria relatedto the part in order to obtain its value, and wherein third parties can also offer to buy the part. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
Consumers within the automobile industry regularly buy performance aftermarket vehicle parts to replace the OEM parts of a vehicle. However, the replaced OEM parts are still valuable, yet many consumers are not aware of their value, and as a result do not attempt to resellthe parts. Further, a user may not desire to go through the effort of listing and selling the part on an online marketplace. As a result, usable and valuable parts are regularly discarded or stored awaydue to these reasons.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a program that informs a user on the value of an unneeded automobile part. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a program that allows a user to easily sell an unneeded automobile part. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a program that allows interested parties to purchase unneeded parts from users.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprisesa software program for used vehicle parts. The program may be in the form of software or a mobileapplication for smart devices, wherein the program calculates the value of an automobile part basedon a number of criteria related to vehicle/part information. The program then calculates the value
of the part based on the current market value and the year/make/model/trim of the vehicle from which the part originates. Then, the program will offer to buy (e.g., trade-in) the part via a purchase,exchange, rebate, or discount on behalf of another party that uses the program such as a collision repair shop or other vendor (e.g., wherein the vendor is any other party other than the first user who has the used part for trade-in), who may also resell or keep the part.
In this manner, the software program for used vehicle parts of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides an improved means for a user to obtain the value of an unneeded automobile part. Further, the program allows a user to easily sell/trade—in unneeded parts directly to vendors via the program. Finally, the program allows interested vendors/buyers to easily obtain unneeded vehicle parts.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it isnot intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed descriptionthat is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a method and related software program for use in the valuing, purchasing, selling, and exchangingof motor vehicle parts. In differing embodiments, the program may be in the form of software ora mobile application for smart devices, wherein the program calculates the value of an automobile part based on a number of criteria related to vehicle/part information. The program then calculatesthe value of the part based on the current market value and the year/make/model/trim of the vehiclethe part originates from. Then, the program will offer to buy or trade-in the part via a purchase, exchange, rebate, or discount on behalf of another party such as a collision repair shop or other vendor using the program. Further, this vendor may choose to retain or resell the part to another party without or without the use of the program.
The program may also be comprised of a method for obtaining and selling automobileparts using the program. The first step of the method involves a first user of the program obtaininga singular best offer for a part from various vendors within the program. In forming the best offer,a plurality of criteria can be considered by the program including but not limited to: the shipping
cost of the part, seasonal variations in used part market pricing, current best market pricing, third-party (e.g., buyer) volume demands/valuations for parts, item condition (ex. new, like-new, gentlyused, used, etc.), vehicle year/make/model/trim that the part come from, etc. Then, the user can choose to accept the best offer. Once program has purchased the trade-in part (wherein the purchase was made on behalf of a vendor), the vendor may choose to resell the part or may retainthe part using/not using the program.
Further, the program may be comprised of a method of facilitating the sale of used automobile parts. First, a user trades-in vehicle parts using the program, wherein the program prompts the user to trade-in the part while the user attempts to purchase a new part. The user canselect vehicle information to get a quoted trade-in value price that the program will pay for their part. If selected by the user, the trade-in option is added to a shopping cart as an unpriced item, and after the user purchases the trade-in, additional details/instructions and a shipping label are sent to the user. Next, the user packages and ships the part, wherein it is received by a refurbisherwho inspects the part and confirms the part number and condition. Finally, once the part has beenapproved by the refurbisher and purchaser, the purchaser (e.g., a vendor using the program) can pay the user directly based on the agreed to price/terms.
Therefore, the improved software program for suer vehicle parts of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it allows users to sell parts that would otherwise go unsold. Further, the program allows users to obtain a fair market value for their part. In addition, the program allows interested buyers to easily acquire (and even resell) used parts.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and theannexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspectsand their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference charactersrefer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understandingthereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It shouldbe noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. Theyare not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a program that informs a useron the value of an unneeded automobile part. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for aprogram that allows a user to easily sell an unneeded automobile part. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a program that allows interested parties to purchase unneeded parts from users.
Referring initially to the drawings,
the value of an automobile part based on a number of criteria 110 such as: shipping cost of the part, seasonal variations in used part market pricing, current best market pricing, third-party (e.g., buyer) volume demands/valuations for parts, item condition (e.g., new, like-new, gently used, used,etc.), and vehicle year/make/model/trim that the part comes from. Further, the program 100 may be used with an existing online sales platform for automobile parts.
In order to further aid a user in identify all relevant information regarding a part, theprogram 100 may also allow a user to input vehicle/part information 120 such as: VIN number, RPO code, alpha-numerical markings, license plate number of the vehicle the part originates from,part number, bulb type, tire size, etc. Further, the program 100 may contain an artificial intelligence130 that allows a user to upload a picture to the program 100, which is then scanned by the AI 130 to determine the part number. Further, the program 100 may display various pictures 140 to theuser to allow the user to select the photo of the part that matches their part and/or vehicle. Finally,the program 100 may contain a cross-platform CRM 150 that allows a user to refer to their pastpurchase history across various automotive websites. In addition, the purchase history may containa digital “vehicle garage” 160 that displays all parts in an interactive digital photograph manner.
In one embodiment of the program 100, the program 100 can be used by automobile part companies (such as aftermarket head and taillight companies) who then can sell used partsthey obtain from the program to other interested parties (such as collision repair centers). It is also contemplated that the program can be used to purchase, sell or exchange any type of vehicle parts.Said parts include, but are not limited to: headlights, taillights, wheels, body trim, seats, stereos,etc. Further, one embodiment of the program 100 may be used to purchase, sell or exchange aftermarket parts, in addition to OEM/used parts.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons mayrefer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “software program for used vehicle parts” and “program”, are interchangeable and refer to the software program for used vehicle parts 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the software program for used vehicle parts 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is
known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the software program for used vehicle parts 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the software program for used vehicle parts 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the software program for used vehicle parts 100 are important design parametersfor user convenience, the software program for used vehicle parts 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needsand/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodimentshaving different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the describedfeatures. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologiesfor purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or theclaims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
This Utility Patent Application claims priority back to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63223359, filed Jul. 19, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63223359 | Jul 2021 | US |