Alternative selections for compound price quoting

Abstract

Methods and systems for automated alternative selection for compound price quotes are provided. A requesting party submits a request that includes information regarding at least one specification. A database is searched based on the information provided by the request. The search results are evaluated to determine whether they meet a predefined target. When the search results do not meet a predefined target, an alternative specification is identified. At least a second set of search results is retrieved from the database that may be used to meet the target. Vehicles are selected for inclusion in a compound price quote. A compound price quote including multiple price quotes for each selected vehicles is generated.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 475,368 filed on May 29, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 215,940 filed on Jun. 30, 2008, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60 / 937,856 filed Jun. 30, 2007, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present disclosure relates generally to price quoting. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to automating the selection of alternatives for compound price quotes.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]When making purchases, one of the most important considerations for a buyer is price. However, pricing can be dependent on multiple factors: including type of item, specifications and features of the item, age, demand, degree of use (i.e., used, new), location, seller / dealer, etc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Further embodiments of the present invention may further include computer-readable storage media having embodied thereon programs executable by a processor to perform a method for automated alternatives selection for compound price quotes. Such computer-readable storage media may provide for performance via integration into existing client systems and / or via plug-in.

Problems solved by technology

Such factors may affect the price dramatically and further complicate the process of determining, analyzing, and comparing prices for a desired product.

Such options and upgrades, or removal thereof, may increase or decrease the price of the final product.

Many customers wish to see, touch, and test a product before committing to a purchase, especially costly purchases.

Some items, due to size, weight, rarity, etc., may be difficult, costly, or time-consuming to transport to the customer.

The geographic location of a car dealer, for example, may be an important factor to a car-buyer, since transporting an automobile from a distant location may be either costly, time-consuming, or both.

Because customers generally lack the ability to review dealer inventories, however, they may not know to ask whether such alternatives exist or are available.

Images