Abstract: A method for electronically transacting a trade between a commercial provider and a customer of a merchant. The method is also for electronically paying all of the participants involved with enabling the transaction from the payment made by the customer in consideration of the trade. The method involves entering into agreements for valuable or other consideration with (i) the commercial provider for providing a good or service to a potential customer of the merchant; and (ii) the merchant for offering the good or service of the commercial provider to its customers.

Abstract: A greeting card comprises a telephone number and a receiving zone for receiving an Identification code. In use, the sender of the card dials the telephone number and is prompted to leave a voice message for the addressee of the card. Once the message has been recorded, the sender is provided with an identification code, which is entered in the receiving zone. The message and associated identification code are stored in a central database. Once the addressee receives the card, he or she needs to dial the telephone number indicated on the card to retrieve the sender's message. Upon dialing the indicated telephone number, the addressee will be prompted to enter or provide the identification code. Once this is done, the pre-recorded message, which was left by the sender, is retrieved and played to the addressee.