Abstract: A method and system for electronically gathering data about a potential customer of a new or used product are described. In one embodiment, a portion of the consideration the customer may rely on to purchase or lease the new product is a used product. The system may include a data processing module accessible by a manufacturer of the new product, a location for displaying samples of the new product, and an input device located at the location and coupled to the data processing module. The input device is capable of conveying customer data representative of characteristics of the customer to the second data processing system. The customer data is stored in the data processing module and is accessible by the manufacturer. Also discussed is a method of doing business in which a central firm practices the method and system for electronically gathering data.