Abstract: A method for pricing independent sellers' goods. A marketeer exploits the nature of readily identifiable, fungible, durable goods by determining a price for a good, such as a used good, by using a price of a comparable good, such as a new good, as an index price and deriving a discounted sale price for the good from the price of the comparable good having essentially the same value due to its fungible, durable nature. A best price for the good is ensured by using as the index price a lowest price among a group of vendors for the comparable good. A shopping agent program may be used to query one or more vendors to determine a best price for the comparable good, and a pricing agent program may be used to derive a discounted sale price for the good from the best price for the comparable good.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods are provided for pricing a good offered for sale by a seller. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving from a seller, via a communications network, data identifying a good offered for sale by the seller at an unspecified fixed price to be determined by a marketeer controller as a function of a third party's price for a comparable good. The method further includes querying a third party to determine a price for a comparable good and receiving, via the communications network, the third party's price for the comparable good. The marketeer controller is used to establishing a sale price for the good based on the third party price for the comparable good.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present information relating to a good. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The information relating to the good is presented via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present a good of a seller. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good. The good is then presented for sale via a network and using the product identification code.

Abstract: A method for using a telephone to list a seller's good for sale on a website including the steps of receiving good-identifying information from a seller via a telephone and presenting the good for sale on a website. The good-identifying information may be received as a series of tones generated by depression of keys of a telephone. The tones may optionally be used to navigate through a voice prompt system or to provide information about the good, such as the good's UPC code, ISBN number and/or characteristics of the good. The seller's provision of a standard identification code allows the marketeer to retrieve information relating to the good from a database and to use such information to present the good for sale. Such information, and/or the characteristics provided by the seller that are specific to the good may optionally be used to set or recommend a price for the good.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to present a good of a seller. A product identification code is received via a cellular telephone, the product identification code identifying the good.

Abstract: A method for selecting a seller in a multi-seller environment in which multiple sellers are offering for sale one or more goods desired by the buyer. A criterion for selecting a seller may be specified by the buyer or an intermediary. After identifying a seller offering the desired good(s) for sale, a seller is selected which best satisfies the criterion. More than one criterion may be specified. If the buyer desires to purchase multiple good, a seller offering one or more of the multiple goods may be selected or a seller solution including a combination of sellers may be selected. A computer-implemented method and apparatus for carrying out the computer-implemented method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for selecting a seller in a multi-seller environment in which multiple sellers are offering for sale one or more goods desired by the buyer. A criterion for selecting a seller may be specified by the buyer or an intermediary. After identifying a seller offering the desired good(s) for sale, a seller is selected which best satisfies the criterion. More than one criterion may be specified. If the buyer desires to purchase multiple goods, a seller offering one or more of the multiple goods may be selected or a seller solution including a combination of sellers may be selected. A computer-implemented method and an apparatus for carrying out the computer-implemented method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for marketing a target product having a flavor to a consumer. A consumable film that is distinct from the target product is provided to the consumer using at least one of the following channels: a print advertisement of the target product, a direct mail advertisement of the target product, a print media insert advertising the target product, a dispenser located at a point-of-purchase of the consumer, a display located at the point-of-purchase of the consumer, a coupon for the target product, a channel for test marketing the target product, an advertisement of the target product contained within a package that includes a product different from the product, or an advertisement of the target product attached to the exterior of a package that contains a different product. The consumable film contains at least one water soluble polymer. The consumable film adheres and dissolves in the mouth of the consumer and thereby renders a likeness of the flavor of the target product to the consumer.

Abstract: A method for facilitating sales and pricing of independent parties' goods. The method removes price control from buyers and sellers by deriving a sale price from an index price using a method set by either the seller or a third party. The index price is provided by a party other than the buyer or seller. The sale price may be derived at a time of sale or at a time of registering the good for sale. The standard ID code of readily identifiable, fungible, durable goods is used by sellers to identify used goods to the marketeer. The marketeer exploits the nature of such goods by choosing the price of a comparable new good as an index price and deriving a discounted sale price for the used good from the price of a new good having essentially the same value due to its fungible, durable nature. A best price for a good is ensured by using as the index price a lowest price among a group of vendors for a comparable good.

Abstract: A method for using a telephone to list a seller's good for sale on a website including the steps of receiving good-identifying information from a seller via a telephone and presenting the good for sale on a website. The good-identifying information may be received as a series of tones generated by depression of keys of a telephone. The tones may optionally be used to navigate through a voice prompt system or to provide information about the good, such as the good's UPC code, ISBN number and/or characteristics of the good. The seller's provision of a standard identification code allows the marketeer to retrieve information relating to the good from a database and to use such information to present the good for sale. Such information, and/or the characteristics provided by the seller that are specific to the good may optionally be used to set or recommend a price for the good.

Abstract: A method for facilitating sales of goods by independent parties. An independent seller is presented with a menu including selectable options for deriving a sale price for the independent seller's good. Each of the options corresponds to a respective predetermined method for determining the sale price. The sale price for the independent seller's good is derived using the predetermined method corresponding to a seller-selected option. Goods in addition to those registered for sale at a website of the marketeer may be presented in an electronic marketplace. Information concerning such additional goods may be retrieved from a database accessible to the marketeer controller. If a buyer wishes to purchase a certain good from the electronic marketplace, and the certain good has not been registered for sale at the website of the marketeer, the marketeer may refer the buyer to a third party vendor.

Abstract: A method for facilitating sales of goods of independent sellers. The method involves receiving a standard identification code, such as a UPC or ISBN code, of readily identifiable goods. The standard identification code is transmitted by a seller to a third-party marketeer who adds the good to its virtual inventory of goods for sale. The marketeer then presents the independent sellers' goods for sale to buyers shopping in the marketeer's marketplace. The marketeer need not take actual possession of the goods, yet the marketeer may properly present the goods for sale because the characteristics of the good identified by the standard identification code are known. The marketeer may set a price for the goods, e.g. as a function of a competing vendor's price for a comparable good having the same standard identification code.

Abstract: A method for using a telephone to list a seller's good for sale on a website including the steps of receiving good-identifying information from a seller via a telephone and presenting the good for sale on a website. The good-identifying information may be received as a series of tones generated by depression of keys of a telephone. The tones may optionally be used to navigate through a voice prompt system or to provide information about the good, such as the good's UPC code, ISBN number and/or characteristics of the good. The seller's provision of a standard identification code allows the marketeer to retrieve information relating to the good from a database and to use such information to present the good for sale. Such information, and/or the characteristics provided by the seller that are specific to the good may optionally be used to set or recommend a price for the good.

Abstract: A method for marketing a target product having a flavor to a consumer. A consumable film that is distinct from the target product is provided to the consumer using at least one of the following channels: a print advertisement of the target product, a direct mail advertisement of the target product, a print media insert advertising the target product, a dispenser located at a point-of-purchase of the consumer, a display located at the point-of-purchase of the consumer, a coupon for the target product, a channel for test marketing the target product, an advertisement of the target product contained within a package that includes a product different from the product, or an advertisement of the target product attached to the exterior of a package that contains a different product. The consumable film contains at least one water soluble polymer. The consumable film adheres and dissolves in the mouth of the consumer and thereby renders a likeness of the flavor of the target product to the consumer.

Abstract: A web-based multi-user system and method for identifying, retrieving, and delivering information corresponding to items contained in a user search list from two or more information sources on the World Wide Web (WWW) is provided. The system includes a central server that periodically searches the information sources on the WWW for information corresponding to the items contained in the user search list. The central server retrieves the information onto a storage database where a determination is made as to whether the information is current. The central server electronically delivers only the current information to the user. The system and method therefore provides to the user automatic and periodic electronic reports containing only current or updated information corresponding to items contained in the user search list that the user desires to track.

Abstract: A method for pricing independent sellers' goods. A marketeer exploits the nature of readily identifiable, fungible, durable goods by determining a price for a good, such as a used good, by using a price of a comparable good, such as a new good, as an index price and deriving a discounted sale price for the good from the price of the comparable good having essentially the same value due to its fungible, durable nature. A best price for the good is ensured by using as the index price a lowest price among a group of vendors for the comparable good. A shopping agent program may be used to query one or more vendors to determine a best price for the comparable good, and a pricing agent program may be used to derive a discounted sale price for the good from the best price for the comparable good.

Abstract: A method for facilitating sales of goods by independent parties. An independent seller is presented with a menu including selectable options for deriving a sale price for the independent seller's good. Each of the options corresponds to a respective predetermined method for determining the sale price. The sale price for the independent seller's good is derived using the predetermined method corresponding to a seller-selected option. Goods in addition to those registered for sale at a website of the marketeer may be presented in an electronic marketplace. Information concerning such additional goods may be retrieved from a database accessible to the marketeer controller. If a buyer wishes to purchase a certain good from the electronic marketplace, and the certain good has not been registered for sale at the website of the marketeer, the marketeer may refer the buyer to a third party vendor.

Abstract: A method for using a telephone to list a seller's good for sale on a website including the steps of receiving good-identifying information from a seller via a telephone and presenting the good for sale on a website. The good-identifying information may be received as a series of tones generated by depression of keys of a telephone. The tones may optionally be used to navigate through a voice prompt system or to provide information about the good, such as the good's UPC code, ISBN number and/or characteristics of the good. The seller's provision of a standard identification code allows the marketeer to retrieve information relating to the good from a database and to use such information to present the good for sale. Such information, and/or the characteristics provided by the seller that are specific to the good may optionally be used to set or recommend a price for the good.