Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating transactions in a wide area network. Information relating to a transaction between a first party and a second party is provided to a third party via the wide area network. The third party is then enabled to facilitate consummation of the transaction between the first and second parties via the wide area network. According to a specific embodiment, the information includes a bid price associated with the first party and an ask price associated with the second party, the third party being enabled to cover at least part of a difference between the bid and ask prices via the wide area network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and one of a plurality of sellers via the Internet. Product information relating to a plurality of products meeting product criteria specified by the buyer is presented via the Internet. One of the plurality of sellers is associated with each of the products. A first bid from the buyer for a first one of the plurality of products is made available via the Internet to a first seller associated with the first product. A first bid response is presented via the Internet to the buyer according to response criteria specified by the first seller. Where the first bid response is an acceptance of the first bid, consummation of the transaction is facilitated. Where the first bid response is a counteroffer, further negotiation via the Internet between the buyer and the first seller is enabled.