Patent Application
20080201228
Products have been transacted over the Internet almost since the creation of the Internet. One of the pioneers bringing Internet sales to the forefront was EBAY INC. EBAY INC permits users to list products on website to permit users from all over the world to see the items and make purchases. The users may have a single item that they are offering for purchase or many thousand items offered for purchase. In addition, the items for purchase may be for multiple categories of items from kitchen utensils to automobiles.
Users make items available for purchase often with a buy now price which permits the buyer to purchase the item immediately rather than wait until an auction is run. Often these items may not sell as quickly as the user may desire or for other reasons the user may wish to lower the price of the item. In affect run a sale on the items they are selling on the Internet-based website. Current limitations may require that the user enter each item and edit the price to modify the price for the item. An alternative is to de-list the item and re-list the item for a lower price. This process may be time intensive and in a case where the user would like to place several items on sale at the same time, time consuming.
In some cases a user may wish to have a sale for a set period of time. For example, a Valentines Day sale that may last for two weeks prior to, and end the day after, Valentines Day. In this case the user may not only have to change the price to initiate the sale, but upon the close of the sale, reset the price of the items to the original price.
Methods and systems to schedule a network-based transaction are described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
According to the present disclosure, a system may receive sales information and schedule a sale on a network-based marketplace based on the sales information. The sales information may include item information that includes identifiers that identify items that are offered for sale by a seller on a network-based marketplace. The sales information may include a starting time, and ending time, a sales title and a discount. The item information includes identifiers that identify one or more items that respectively describe goods or services that the seller is offering for sale on the network-based marketplace. In response to receiving the sales information, the system may schedule a sale based on the sales information. For example, the sale may be scheduled to begin at the starting time and end at the ending time. Further, the system may schedule a reduction in price for the identified items based on the discount for the duration of the sale. In one embodiment, the discount may be expressed as a fixed price that is subtracted from the price associated with a particular item. In another embodiment the discount may be expressed as a percentage of a price associated with a particular item. In one embodiment the seller may identify the items using different types of filters. For example, the seller may identify all fixed-price items or fixed-price items in a specified price range or fixed-price items in one or more categories. Further, the seller may identify items by identifying previous sales. For example, the seller may identify a Fall sale to identify that same items to be included in a Christmas sale. Further, the seller may use a search facility to identify items. For example, the search facility may accept search parameters that include keyword(s), categories, price and return search results that identify one or more items. In one embodiment, the seller may schedule multiple sales that are active at the same time. In one embodiment, the seller may edit a sale that is active. For example, the seller may edit the discount or the end date associated with the active sale. In one embodiment, restrictions or listing limitations may restrict a seller's ability to enter sales information or to edit a sale that is in progress. In one embodiment, the restrictions or listing limitations may be geographically (e.g., country) specific. For example, a seller that signs on to the network-based marketplace at a German web site may be restricted from editing a discount that is associated with a sale that is in progress. In contrast, a seller that signs on to the network-based marketplace at a US site may not be restricted from editing a discount that is associated with a sale that is in progress. In response to the scheduled beginning of a sale, the system may update interfaces with promotion information (e.g. apply a “sales treatment”). For example, the promotion information may include a “Sale Logo”, a strikethrough applied to the original price, a discount price, a percentage off, and an optional sale end date. In response to the scheduled end of a sale, the system may update interfaces to remove the promotion information (e.g. apply a “sale treatment”).
Turning specifically to the network-based marketplace 12, an Application Program Interface (API) server 24 and a web server 26 are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to, one or more application servers 28. The application servers 28 host one or more marketplace applications 30 and payment applications 32 (collectively the marketplace and payment applications 33). The application servers 28 are, in turn, shown to be coupled to one or more database servers 34 that facilitate access to one or more databases 36.
The marketplace applications 30 provide a number of marketplace functions and services to users that access the marketplace 12. The payment applications 32 likewise provide a number of payment services and functions to users. The payment applications 30 may allow users to quantify for, and accumulate, value (e.g. in a commercial currency, such as the U.S. dollar, or a proprietary currency, such as “points”) in accounts, and then later to redeem the accumulated value for products (e.g. goods or services) that are made available via the marketplace applications 30. While the marketplace and payment applications 30 and 32 are shown in
Further, while the system 10 shown in
The web client 16, it will be appreciated, accesses the various marketplace and payment applications 33 via the web interface supported by the web server 26. Similarly, the programmatic client 18 accesses the various services and functions provided by the marketplace and payment applications 33 via the programmatic interface provided by the API server 24. The programmatic client 18 may, for example, be a seller application (e.g. the TurboLister application developed by eBay Inc., of San Jose, Calif.) to enable sellers to author and manage listings on the marketplace 12 in an off-line manner, and to perform batch-mode communications between the programmatic client 18 and the network-based marketplace 12.
A number of fixed-price applications 46 support fixed-price listing formats (e.g. the traditional classified advertisement-type listing or a catalogue listing) and buyout-type listings. Specifically, buyout-type listings (e.g. including the Buy-It-Now (BIN) technology developed by eBay Inc., of San Jose, Calif.) may be offered in conjunction with an auction-format listing, and allow a buyer to purchase goods or services, which are also being offered for sale via an auction, for a fixed-price that is typically higher than the starting price of the auction.
Store applications 48 allow sellers to group their listings within a “virtual” store, which may be branded and otherwise personalized by and for the sellers. Such a virtual store may also offer promotions, incentives and features that are specific and personalized to a relevant seller.
Reputation applications 50 allow parties that transact utilizing the network-based marketplace 12 of
Personalization applications 52 allow users of the marketplace 12 to personalize various aspects of their interactions with the marketplace 12. For example a user may, utilizing an appropriate personalization application 52, create a personalized reference page at which information regarding transactions to which the user is (or has been) a party may be viewed. Further, a personalization application 52 may enable a user to personalize listings and other aspects of their interactions with the marketplace 12 and other parties.
Internationalization applications 54 allow in one embodiment, the network-based marketplace 12 may support a number of marketplaces that are customized, for example, for specific geographic regions. A version of the marketplace 12 may be customized for the United Kingdom, whereas another version of the marketplace 12 may be customized for the United States. Each of these versions may operate as an independent marketplace, or may be customized (or internationalized) presentations of a common underlying marketplace.
Navigation of the network-based marketplace 12 may be facilitated by one or more navigation applications 56. For example, a search application enables key word searches of listings published via the marketplace 12. A browse application allows users to browse various category, catalogue, or inventory data structures according to which listings may be classified within the marketplace 12. Various other navigation applications may be provided to supplement the search and browsing applications.
In order to make listings, available via the network-based marketplace 12, as visually informing and attractive as possible, the marketplace and payment applications 33 may include one or more imaging applications 58 utilizing which users may upload images for inclusion within listings. An imaging application 58 also operates to incorporate images within viewed listings. The imaging applications 58 may also support one or more promotional features, such as image galleries that are presented to potential buyers. For example, sellers may pay an additional fee to have an image included within a gallery of images for promoted items.
Listing creation applications 60 allow sellers conveniently to author listings pertaining to goods or services that they wish to transact via the marketplace 12, and listing management applications 62 allow sellers to manage such listings. Specifically, where a particular seller has authored and/or published a large number of listings, the management of such listings may present a challenge. The listing management applications 62 provide a number of features (e.g. auto-relisting, inventory level monitors, etc.) to assist the seller in managing such listings. One or more post-listing management applications 64 also assist sellers with a number of activities that typically occur post-listing. For example, upon completion of an auction facilitated by one or more auction applications 44, a seller may wish to leave feedback regarding a particular buyer. To this end, a post-listing management application 64 may provide an interface to one or more reputation applications 50, so as to allow the seller conveniently to provide feedback regarding multiple buyers to the reputation applications 50.
Dispute resolution applications 66 provide mechanisms whereby disputes arising between transacting parties may be resolved. For example, the dispute resolution applications 66 may provide guided procedures whereby the parties are guided through a number of steps in an attempt to settle a dispute. In the event that the dispute cannot be settled via the guided procedures, the dispute may be escalated to a third party mediator or arbitrator.
A number of fraud prevention applications 68 implement various fraud detection and prevention mechanisms to reduce the occurrence of fraud within the marketplace 12.
Messaging applications 70 are responsible for the generation and delivery of messages to users of the network-based marketplace 12, such messages for example advise users regarding the status of listings at the marketplace 12 (e.g. providing “outbid” notices to bidders during an auction process or to provide promotional and merchandising information to users). In one embodiment, the messaging applications 70 may include a communications module and a processing module to communicate and process dynamic marketing text.
Merchandising applications 72 support various merchandising functions that are made available to sellers to enable sellers to increase sales via the marketplace 12. The merchandising applications 72 also operate the various merchandising features that may be invoked by sellers, and may monitor and track the success of merchandising strategies employed by sellers.
The network-based marketplace 12 itself, or one or more parties that transact via the marketplace 12, may operate loyalty programs that are supported by one or more loyalty/promotions applications 74. For example, a buyer may earn loyalty or promotions points for each transaction established and/or concluded with a particular seller, and be offered a reward for which accumulated loyalty points can be redeemed.
Sales applications 76 support various sales functions that are made available to sellers to enable the sellers to increase their sales in the marketplace 12. For example, the sales applications 76 may receive sales information and item information that may be used to schedule sales, start sales, and end sales.
The tables 90 also include an items table 94 in which are maintained item records for goods and services that are available to be, or have been, transacted via the marketplace 12. Each item record within the items table 94 may furthermore be linked to one or more user records within the user table 92, so as to associate a seller and one or more actual or potential buyers with each item record.
A transaction table 96 contains a record for each transaction (e.g. a purchase transaction) pertaining to items for which records exist within the items table 94.
An order table 98 is populated with order records, each order record being associated with an order. Each order, in turn, may be with respect to one or more transactions for which records exist within the transactions table 96.
Bid records within a bids table 100 each relate to a bid received at the network-based marketplace 12 in connection with an auction-format listing supported by an auction application 44 of
Sales tables 112 may be utilized by one or sales applications 76 to store and retrieve information to facilitate the scheduling, starting, and ending of sales. The sales may be promoted by sellers who utilize the network-based marketplace to increase sales of their items in the network-based marketplace 12. A limitation tables 113 may be used to by one or more sales applications 76 to determine if proposed sales violate any service provider or country rules or laws.
The example computer system 300 includes a processor 302 (e.g. a central processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both), a main memory 304 and a static memory 306, which communicate with each other via a bus 308. The computer system 300 may further include a video display unit 310 (e.g. a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 300 also includes an alphanumeric input device 312 (e.g. a keyboard), a cursor control device 314 (e.g. a mouse), a disk drive unit 316, a signal generation device 318 (e.g. a speaker) and a network interface device 320.
The disk drive unit 316 includes a machine-readable medium 322 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g. software 324) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The software 324 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 304 and/or within the processor 302 during execution thereof by the computer system 300, the main memory 304 and the processor 302 also constituting machine-readable media.
The software 324 may further be transmitted or received over a network 326 via the network interface device 320.
While the machine-readable medium 322 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g. a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wave signals.
Activity 540 may be to determine when a sale will be initiated. Activity 550 may be to determine the date when the sale ends or the duration of the sale. The sale date may for example include the start date 620 and the end date 630 as shown in
Activity 535 may be to determine a sales price for items selected in the prior activity. For example in
Activity 530 may be to determine which items to place on sale. A seller may be able to place only their store inventory format and fixed price items “on sale,” according to one embodiment. The seller may be able to select a specific listing of sale items 660 by accessing a listing such as the one shown in
It should be noted that activities 525, 530, 535, 540, 550, and 560 may be performed in any order. These activities are completed by filling in the appropriate information found on screen 600 of
Activity 575 of
If over 200 items are in the sale, the service provider may process the seller's request asynchronously. If the service providers are processing listings asynchronously, the service provider may notify the seller via a manage sales page 600 if it has completed or not. Table 1 provided below, provides a listing of potential limitations.
The limitations may be checked based on the country that the item has been listed on, according to one embodiment. For example, if a US Storeowner lists on the German site, the item may pass the German requirements. These checks may not be performed for all countries that the listing appears, rather the site on which the item may be listed. Listing level checks may not occur for sales that occur on the past. This may save processing time, as these sales may be processed only if the sales dates are set to the future. These checks may occur on items that have changed. For example, if a seller adds new items and the seller saves the sale, the service provider may check those items. However, if an item already exists in a sale, the minimum duration check may not occur on that item.
Table 2 presents potential limitations for various countries that may be available. As seen the table may provide information regarding current sales and minimums and maximums proscribed by laws and by service provider.
If the listings are in two sales the seller may be presented with an error message. The listings may be listed at a price for the item before a sale may take effect. These sales may be configurable per country. It may be useful to check only if the price has been raised within a certain period of time and block only listings in which the price has been raised. In another situation an error may occur if the listing may be ending before the sale ends, therefore breaking the minimum duration rule. This may be checked on an item by item basis. If the listing ends before the sale ends, the minimum duration as set in the appendix may not be violated. For example, the sale is from May 1, 2006-May 10, 2006, and the listing ends on May 3, 2006, the minimum duration is three days, the sale may not be allowed on the listing. An error may occur if the listing violates the listing country's minimum duration rule. The seller may receive an error message if their listing is listed on another country site other than where their store is based, and the sale duration is greater than the allowed limit for the country site that the item has been listed on.
Another error may be that the listings violate the listing country's maximum duration rules. The seller may receive an error message if their listing is listed on another site other than where their store is based, and the sale duration is greater than the allowed limit for the country site that the item has been listed on. An error may occur if the listings are in multiple currencies.
In the event errors are detected, activity 577 may be to notify the seller of the errors. In addition to notifying the seller of the errors, the seller may be notified of limited success. If errors exist an error banner such as banner 1010 of
Activity 585 may be for the seller to decide if they wish to correct the errors and add the items that have been excluded to the sale. If the seller does not wish to correct the errors, activity 587 may be to run the sale. If the seller wishes to correct the errors, activity 582 may be to correct the errors. For example, the seller may be brought to a screen such as screen 600 of
Activity 586 may be to notify the seller that activity 570 did not find any errors. In the event no errors exist or once the errors are corrected, activity 582 may be to notify the seller that the sale has been initiated. This may be via a success screen such as screen 1100 of
Activity 590 may be for the seller to determine if they wish to edit the sale. To edit the sale the seller may utilize the screen 600 of
If the sale is not edited or ended in activity 595 may determine if the sale is over. If the sale is not over activity 590 may be made available until it is over. In affect, activities 590 and 595 are a wait period until the end of the sale unless activity 590 is activated by the seller. When the sale ends as determined by activity 595, activity 597 is to end method 500.
To permit the seller to edit sales and manage sales it may be that a manage sales screen 1400 may be provided of
Once a sale is created the sale will be presented to the buyer. According to one embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the sale price may be the price that appears anywhere price is currently displayed. The sale price may be the true “actual” price, and is what needs to be reflected as the standard item price in the marketplace, (e.g. item-related emails, merchandising widgets, all data warehouse price fields, etc.) for the duration of the sale. In both the marketplace core search and marketplace express search, the sale price may appear as the price with no special visual treatment.
According to one embodiment, If the seller chooses to put the item on sale by default display the following on the screen 800 of
The sale price 820 may also be displayed. This may be the actual item price, the system may calculate this for the seller, who may be entering a % or dollar discount amount for sale items. If the item is in a foreign currency, the standard currency conversion message below the sales price may be displayed. “(Approximately XXXX)”.
As shown in
Thus, a method and system to schedule a sale on a network-based marketplace have been described. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. The above description and figures illustrate embodiments of the invention to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/884,866, filed Jan. 12, 2007, and entitled, “METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO SCHEDULE A SALE ON A NETWORK-BASED MARKETPLACE”.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60884866 | Jan 2007 | US |
