System and method for selling perishable products

Abstract

An exemplary system and method are provided to sell a plurality of limited perishable products. The method may include offering to sell the first perishable product at first defined conditions that include an initial price and a minimum refund schedule; or an initial price, an incentive relative to another offer to sell the product, and a purchaser agreement to receive a directed offer. The method may include receiving an acceptance from a first purchaser; and making the first perishable product again available for sale if a first refund opportunity is exercised by purchaser. The method may include determining and offering a directed offer related to the first perishable product that may include a hold incentive or a release incentive option. The method may continue for additional products of the limited perishable products that are of the same (or similar) type and each having the same (or similar) expiration date.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, this continuation application claims priority from, and hereby incorporates by reference for all purposes, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 711,584, entitled System and Method For Selling Perishable Products, naming Harold Edward Elkins, II, Robert Jelks Ward, and Paula F. Calise as inventors, filed Feb. 26, 2007, which, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 776,395, entitled System and Method For Selling Perishable Products, naming Harold Edward Elkins, II, Robert Jelks Ward, and Paula F. Calise as inventors, and filed Feb. 24, 2006.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for the sale of products and services and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a system and method, such as a computer or network implemented system and method, for selling perishable products...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a system and method for selling perishable products that offer enhanced refund and exchange options to both sellers and consumers. The system and method allow for the seller to offer a plurality of limited perishable products with the same or similar expiration dates, and to provide a minimum refund schedule with a minimum refund amount that a purchaser can elect during a refund time period. The system and method also allow for the reselling of a perishable product that has been returned to the seller through a refund or exchange time period, and to provide a directed offer to the purchaser based on the demand for the perishable product. The invention aims to provide greater convenience and access for consumers and to minimize the overhead and administrative costs associated with selling a plurality of perishable products."

Problems solved by technology

In other embodiments, the directed offer may not include any change in the original offer, and thus the demand may not justify or require either a hold incentive option or a release incentive option.

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