Commercial transaction system

Abstract

The system encourages users who have failed the credit check to make a purchase. [Solution] The payment management server 30 sets credit limit information indicating the maximum amount that can be used for credit transactions at stores operated by the business operator. When the business operator server 10 receives an instruction from the user terminal 20 to purchase goods using a credit transaction, it queries the payment management server for the user's credit limit balance. If the price of the goods exceeds the credit limit balance, the business operator server 10 notifies the user that the goods cannot be purchased with the current credit limit balance and sends information to the user terminal 20 about alternative goods that can be purchased within the credit limit balance or procedures to increase the credit limit balance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a credit transaction system.

Background Art

[0002] In credit transactions using credit cards or the like, if a user fails a credit check, the user cannot purchase goods (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). A technique for reducing the occurrence of such inconveniences is disclosed in Patent Document 3. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, goods within the credit limit (social status) of the user's credit card are recommended.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004]

Patent Document 2

[0005]

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] For example, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, it becomes possible for a business operator to persuade a user to purchase goods within the credit limit. However, a user who wanted to purchase a desired product but failed a credit check due to reasons such as the high price of the product had no choice but to give up purchasing the product.

[0007] An object of this invention is to encourage purchasing behavior for users who have failed a credit check. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a commercial transaction method comprising the steps of: when a business server receives an instruction from a user terminal to purchase goods using a credit transaction, querying a payment management server for the user's credit limit balance; the payment management server notifying the user of the credit limit balance in response to the query; and, if the price of the goods exceeds the credit limit balance, the business server notifying the user that the goods cannot be purchased with the current credit limit balance, and then transmitting to the user terminal information about alternative goods that can be purchased within the limits of the credit limit balance or procedures for increasing the credit limit balance.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the alternative product is determined based on products that the user has previously viewed in the store. In a preferred embodiment, the payment management server further includes the step of setting credit limit information indicating the maximum amount that can be used for credit transactions at stores operated by the business operator.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the procedure includes processing a request to the settlement management server to increase the upper limit.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the procedure provides information based on the expected change in the credit line balance to the user This includes the process of notifying the other terminal.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the credit limit information is set for each business operator for each user, and the credit limit balance is the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of credit transactions conducted at multiple business operators' stores from the credit limit granted to the user.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides a commercial transaction device comprising: a reception unit that, upon receiving an instruction from a user terminal to purchase goods using credit transactions, queries a settlement management server for the user's credit limit balance; and a purchase promotion unit that, if the price of the goods exceeds the credit limit balance, notifies the user that the purchase cannot be made with the current credit limit balance, and then transmits information to the user terminal regarding similar goods that can be purchased within the range of the credit limit balance or procedures for increasing the credit limit balance.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a program that causes a computer to execute the following steps upon receiving an instruction from a user terminal to purchase goods using a credit transaction: query a settlement management server for the user's credit limit balance; and, if the price of the goods exceeds the credit limit balance, notify the user that the purchase cannot be made with the current credit limit balance, and then transmit information to the user terminal regarding alternative goods that can be purchased within the credit limit balance or procedures for increasing the credit limit balance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] This invention makes it possible to encourage users who have failed a credit check to take proactive action toward purchasing a product. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This shows the configuration of a commercial transaction system, which is one embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2] The configuration of the operator's server in the same embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] This shows the functional configuration of the processor in the server of the same company, which is an embodiment of the same example. [Figure 4] The functional configuration of the payment processing server in the same embodiment is shown. [Figure 5] Here are some examples of information stored on the payment processing server. [Figure 6] An example of operation of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 7]Shows a display example (part 1) on the same user terminal. [Figure 8] Shows a display example (part 2) on the same user terminal. [Figure 9] Shows a display example (part 3) on the same user terminal. [Figure 10] Shows a display example (part 4) on the same user terminal. [Figure 11] Shows a display example (part 5) on the same user terminal. [Figure 12] Shows a display example (part 6) on the same user terminal.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Figure 1 shows the functional configuration of a commercial transaction system 1 which is an embodiment of this invention. The commercial transaction system 1 includes one or more merchant servers 10 which are each commercial transaction devices, one or more user terminals​​​​​​​​​The user terminal 20 is a terminal that accesses an e-commerce site (electronic store; also called an "EC site" or "online store"; hereinafter referred to as "EC site") provided by the business server 10 to perform commercial transactions (such as purchasing goods or services). Specifically, it is a personal computer, smartphone, etc. The EC site may be built on a web browser or it may be a so-called dedicated application designed for smartphones.

[0020] The payment management server 30 is managed and operated by credit card issuing companies and other credit institutions, and manages the creditworthiness of each user. Specifically, it stores information on each user's credit limit, acquires details of commercial transactions conducted at each store (merchant) (including at least information on the purchase amount), and stores changes in each user's credit limit balance. In other words, the payment management server 30 has information on each user's current credit limit balance and future changes in the credit limit balance, such as repayment schedules.

[0021] Credit limit information refers to the maximum amount a user can credit themselves to at stores (e-commerce sites) operated by businesses that manage and operate each business server 10, or businesses that have business partnerships with such businesses. This limit may be subject to a time limit (for example, a maximum amount that can be credited to in one month). The credit limit balance is the maximum amount of goods that can be purchased using the outstanding balance and credit transactions. In the following, "goods" refers not only to physical items (goods) that are purchased or leased, but also to services and encompasses all things that can be the subject of commercial transactions.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an example configuration of the carrier server 10. As shown in the figure, the carrier server 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and an input / output unit 14. Here, the processor 11 is the control center of the carrier server 10. The storage unit 12 includes a volatile storage unit such as RAM and a non-volatile storage unit such as ROM or HDD. The volatile storage unit is used as a work area by the processor 11. Programs executed by the processor 11 and various databases are stored in the non-volatile storage unit. The communication unit 13 is a means for communicating with other devices connected to the network 50. The input / output unit 14 includes an output unit such as a display that outputs various information, and an input unit including an operation unit and an input interface that takes in various information.

[0023] Figure 3 shows the functional configuration of the processor 11. In this embodiment, the processor 11 functions as a reception unit 101, a purchase promotion unit 103, and a purchase procedure unit 104 by executing a program in the storage unit 12.

[0024] The reception unit 101, in response to a request from the user terminal 20, provides the user terminal 20 with a page from the e-commerce site and receives instructions from the user to purchase goods. When the acquisition unit 102 receives an instruction from the user terminal 20 to purchase goods using a credit transaction, it queries the payment management server 30, which manages the user's credit, for the user's credit limit balance.

[0025] A credit limit is set for, for example, one user. The credit limit balance is the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of credit transactions conducted at stores of businesses participating in multiple commercial transaction systems 1 from the credit limit granted to a single user.

[0026] In addition to being set for the user, credit limits may also be set for each store or business. For example, if user A has a credit limit of 1 million yen, and business X has a credit limit of... Let's say that the credit limit for a customer is 1 million yen, and that business Y has a credit limit of 1 million yen. In this case, for example, due to a request from the user, the credit limit for business X may be changed to 800,000 yen and the credit limit for business Y to 500,000 yen. If this change occurs, if customer A spends 800,000 yen with business X, they will only be able to spend 200,000 yen with business Y. In other words, customer A's remaining credit limit with business Y will be 200,000 yen.

[0027] The purchase promotion unit 103 is a means of notifying the user that the purchase is not possible with the current credit limit if the price of the product that the user has instructed to purchase exceeds the user's credit limit balance, and then presenting alternative options that may lead to purchasing behavior to the user terminal 20.

[0028] Two alternatives exist, for example: The first alternative is information about purchasing alternative products that can be purchased within the limits of the outstanding credit limit. The second alternative is information about procedures for increasing the outstanding credit limit. Either one or both of the first and second alternatives may be presented.

[0029] Regarding the first alternative, the alternative product is, for example, a similar product to the product that is the subject of the purchase instruction. To select this similar product, the processor 11 stores in the storage unit 12 a product database DB2 that shows the products that the business can provide and an access history database DB1 that shows the browsing status of products (including those provided by businesses other than the business in question) for all users who have used the EC site in the past. The purchase promotion unit 103 then searches the product database DB2 for products that are similar to the product that is the subject of the purchase instruction and that can be purchased within the credit limit, and presents them to the user terminal 20 as alternative products. At that time, the purchase promotion unit 103 determines the user's preferences based on the user's data in the access history database DB1, and determines the similarity of the products based on these preferences. User preferences include, for example, whether the user prioritizes the sameness of product functions or the brand (manufacturer) when selecting a product. A second alternative would be, for example, increasing the credit limit.

[0030] The purchase procedure unit 104 is a means of executing procedures for purchasing goods in accordance with instructions from the user. If the price of the goods to be purchased by the user is within the user's credit limit, the purchase procedure unit 104 executes the procedure for shipping the purchased goods to the user and requests the payment management server 30, which manages the user's credit, to settle the payment for the purchase of the goods by the user. Furthermore, if the price of the product that the user has instructed to purchase exceeds the user's credit limit balance, and the user instructs the purchase of an alternative product within the credit limit balance, the purchase procedure unit 104 executes the procedure for shipping the alternative product to the user and requests the payment management server 30, which manages the user's credit, to settle the purchase of the alternative product by the user. Also, if the price of the product that the user has instructed to purchase exceeds the user's credit limit balance, and the user instructs the user to increase their credit limit, the purchase procedure unit 104 generates a screen for accepting the credit limit increase request and presents it to the user terminal 20. The user performs a predetermined operation on this screen to access the payment management server 30 site and request the credit limit increase.

[0031] Figure 4 shows the functional configuration of the payment management server 30. The payment management server 30 has a communication unit 301, a credit management unit 302, and a storage unit 303. The communications unit 301 communicates with the carrier server 10 and exchanges various types of information. Specifically, it receives requests from the carrier server 10 for the price of the product the user wishes to purchase and the credit limit balance, which includes at least the user and ID, and transmits the credit limit balance information to the carrier server 10. In addition, when a commercial transaction using credit is concluded, the communications unit 301 will determine the details of the transaction (at least In addition, the system obtains the identification information of the business that executed the transaction and the details of the settlement process, including the purchase amount. It also obtains information on repayment and other events related to changes in the credit limit from the servers of financial institutions, etc. (not shown). Furthermore, the payment management server 30 may, via the communication unit 301, access the server of a credit screening agency (not shown in the diagram) of the business operator server 10 to obtain the screening results (whether or not a credit limit can be set and the credit limit amount) from said server when initially setting a credit limit for a user.

[0032] When the credit management unit 302 receives a request for credit limit balance that includes a user ID, it extracts the credit limit balance for the user identified by that user ID from the credit management database DB31. When it acquires an event that causes a change in the credit limit balance, such as the completion of a commercial transaction or repayment, it reflects the result of that event in the credit management database DB31. In this way, the credit management database DB31 is updated sequentially.

[0033] The storage unit 303 stores the credit management database DB31. Figure 5 shows an example of the information stored in the credit management database DB31. As shown in the figure, at least the credit limit balance information is recorded in association with the user ID. In this example, in addition to the credit limit balance, the credit limit granted to each user (the total amount that can be used for credit transactions at all stores operated by businesses participating in the commercial transaction system 1), special notes on the credit limit, and information regarding the repayment schedule are stored. Special notes on the credit limit refer to, for example, the upper limit that can be used for credit transactions at a particular store. Information regarding the repayment schedule refers to, for example, the date of steel material withdrawal (repayment deadline), information regarding the type of repayment (number of installments, revolving credit, etc.), and other information related to future changes in the credit limit balance.

[0034] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the commercial transaction system 1. Figures 7 to 12 show examples of images displayed on the screen of the user terminal 20. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to these figures.

[0035] Before a user proceeds with purchasing goods using the commercial transaction system 1, a credit limit is first set for that user. For example, the user operates the user terminal 20 to access the credit limit setting page on the e-commerce site of the business server 10 and enters the information necessary for credit screening (age, occupation, annual income, etc.). The business server 10 sends this received information to the payment management server 30. The payment management server 30 sends this information to a server managed by an organization specializing in credit screening (not shown in Figure 1, etc.) and receives the results of the credit screening (information on the amount of the credit limit to be granted to that user). The payment management server 30 stores the information thus obtained in the credit management database DB 31, linking it to the user's identification information (user ID).

[0036] Furthermore, the method of granting a credit limit to a user is not limited to the example described above; for example, the user terminal 20 could directly access the payment management server 30 to request the setting of a credit limit. In short, the payment management server 30 only needs to be able to obtain the credit limit of a user who is using the commercial transaction system 1 for the first time by some means, and then be able to track the changes in the credit limit balance resulting from all credit transactions conducted in the commercial transaction system 1 thereafter.

[0037] In Figure 6, the reception unit 101 receives an instruction from the user terminal 20 to purchase a product using a credit transaction (step S1). Specifically, the user operates the user terminal 20 to log in to the e-commerce site and displays the screen SC1 shown in Figure 7. The user then searches for and examines products on this site, decides to purchase a product (a television in this example) using a credit transaction, and performs the operation to select object OB1. This operation is transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the business server.

[0038] Returning to Figure 6, the business server 10 then queries the payment management server 30, which manages the creditworthiness of the user, for the remaining balance of the user's credit limit (step S2).

[0039] When the business server 10 obtains the user's credit limit balance, the purchase promotion unit 103 determines whether the price of the product that the user has instructed to purchase is within the user's credit limit balance (step S3).

[0040] If the result of the determination in step S3 in Figure 6 is "YES", the process proceeds to step S5, where the purchase procedure unit 104 executes the procedure for shipping the ordered goods to the user and requests the payment management server 30, which manages the user's creditworthiness, to settle the purchase of the goods by the user. At this time, as shown in Figure 8, the user terminal 20 displays screen SC2, which includes a message object OB2 indicating that the purchase and payment procedures have been completed.

[0041] Returning to Figure 6, if the result of step S3 is "NO", the process proceeds to step S4, where the purchase promotion unit 103 presents alternative options to the user terminal 20 to promote the purchase. The purchase promotion unit 103 presents the first alternative and the second alternative, as described above, to the user terminal 20.

[0042] Figure 9 shows an example of screen SC3 displayed on the user terminal 20 in this case. As shown in the figure, the purchase promotion unit 103 informs the user that the requested product cannot be purchased due to insufficient credit limit balance, and also presents the user with a first alternative and a second alternative.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 9, a message regarding the first alternative, "Shall we show you other products you can purchase?" (object OB4), and a "Yes" button below it (object OB5) are displayed on the user terminal 20's screen. In addition, a message regarding the second alternative, "Shall we increase your credit limit?" (object OB6), and a "Yes" button below it (object OB7) are displayed. Returning to Figure 6, once step S4 is completed, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0044] In step S4 of Figure 6, when object OB5 on screen SC3 of Figure 9 is selected, the purchase promotion unit 103 sends data to the user terminal 20 for a page that guides the user to alternative products that are similar to the product the user has instructed to purchase and that can be purchased within the user's credit limit, and accepts the purchase instruction for the alternative product. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, data for screen SC4 is generated, which includes an object OB8 that shows the contents of the alternative product, a button (object OB9) to link to a page with detailed information about this alternative product, and a button (object OB10) to accept the purchase of this alternative product. In this example, the user's credit limit balance is 300,000 yen, and they wished to purchase a product costing 320,000 yen, but their credit limit was insufficient. Therefore, the business server 10 determined that an alternative product costing 280,000 yen was similar in function or brand, and this alternative product is offered. When object OB10 shown in Figure 10 is selected, in step S5 in Figure 4, the purchase procedure unit 104 executes the process of shipping the replacement product to the user and requests payment from the payment management server 30.

[0045] Furthermore, in step S4 of Figure 6, if object OB7 in Figure 9 is selected, the purchase procedure unit 104 displays screen SC5 on the user terminal 20 in step S5 of Figure 6 to accept the user's credit limit increase process as shown in Figure 11. In this example, the current credit limit balance (object OB11), a field for entering the amount of the limit to be increased (object OB121), and a button for entering an execution command (object OB122) are displayed. When the user selects object OB122, a request for an increase in the credit limit, which includes the entered desired increase amount, is sent to the settlement management server 30 or the server managed by the credit assessment agency. Subsequently, the user, after the credit limit increase has been completed, accesses the e-commerce site again and attempts to purchase the product they originally wanted to buy (i.e., the product that was not approved due to insufficient credit limit).

[0046] As explained above, this embodiment allows users who were unable to purchase their desired product due to insufficient credit limits to take the following positive actions. Furthermore, this embodiment has the effect of satisfying the user's desire to purchase and increasing the strategic options available to businesses. For example, each business can differentiate itself from other businesses in terms of methods for recommending alternative products, methods for suggesting adjustments to credit limits, etc., and compete with each other to improve services to users.

[0047] <Other Embodiments> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, other embodiments of the present invention are possible. For example, as follows. Each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0048] In the above embodiment, we described a case where a user is already granted a credit limit when selecting a product to purchase (in other words, a credit limit is granted separately from the purchase procedure). However, when a user attempts to purchase a product for the first time using the commercial transaction system 1 (when a credit limit has not yet been granted), the business server 10 accepts the purchase procedure and may also work with the payment management server 30 to execute a process to set up a credit limit for the user. In this case, the purchase promotion unit 103 compares the newly set credit limit with the price of the product the user desires. If the credit limit is less than the price of the product (or if the credit limit cannot be set because the user fails the credit check during the credit period (credit limit is zero)), it makes the first alternative (suggestion of an alternative product) as described above. If a credit limit has just been set or if no credit limit was set at all, the second alternative is not suggested. Alternatively, the second alternative may be proposed, regardless of whether a credit limit has already been granted. In determining how to present the alternative, the business server 10 may separately acquire information about the user's business transaction preferences and other user attributes, and the purchase promotion unit 103 may determine an alternative suitable for each user and the method of presenting that alternative (such as message content) based on this information.

[0049] If a credit limit is not set, or if there is a large discrepancy between the credit limit (or credit limit balance) and the product price after a credit limit has been set, the business server 10 may propose alternative products, but may only accept cash payments for those products, rather than credit card payments or other credit transactions. In other words, the purchase of alternative products is not limited to credit transactions.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the business operator provided the user with an online store for conducting e-commerce, but the business operator may also conduct business transactions in a physical store. That is, the present invention is not limited to cases where the user operates the user terminal 20 at home or elsewhere to select and purchase (pay for) products on an e-commerce site, but is also applicable to cases where, for example, a payment processing terminal (business operator terminal) is installed at the cash register of a physical store, and the selection of products to be purchased is made using catalogs or actual products (exhibits) displayed in the store, while the payment processing is carried out by the user operating the business operator terminal or the user terminal 20 to transmit the information necessary for payment processing to the business operator terminal.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the payment management server is a different entity from the business operator that manages the payment. For example, it could be a server managed and operated by an entity commissioned by a credit card company.

[0052] As a second alternative as described above, the service provider's server may notify the user terminal of information based on the expected change in the credit limit balance. Here, information based on the expected change in the credit limit balance includes, for example, information that a purchase will become possible (or a reservation purchase will become possible) when the payment due date arrives, or information that the limit will become available if the payment for a purchased item is made early (i.e., if an early repayment is made). For example, instead of OB3 in Figure 9, the business server 10 displays screen SC6 on the user terminal 20, as shown in Figure 12, which includes a message (object OB13) notifying the user that it may be possible to increase their credit limit by making an early repayment. When the user selects object OB14 to check the repayment status, the business server 10 sends a request for information regarding the repayment status to the payment management server 30. Once the business server 10 obtains the information regarding the repayment status from the payment management server 30, it displays the repayment status on the screen of the user terminal 20.

[0053] When presenting a second alternative, the business server 10 may not only inquire about increasing the credit limit, but may also propose changing the relationship between the credit limit and the store. For example, suppose that in the initial settings, user A's credit limit is set at 1 million yen, business X's credit limit at 1 million yen, and business Y's credit limit at 1 million yen (i.e., effectively, no credit limit is set for each store), and A makes a credit transaction with business X and insufficient credit limit balance. In this case, business X's business server 10 may propose, for example, setting A's credit limit at 1.5 million yen, business X's credit limit at 1.5 million yen, and business Y's credit limit at 1 million yen, so that A can purchase goods from business X.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the business server 10 performed the credit limit increase process after obtaining the user's consent, but it may also request the payment management server 30 or the like to increase the credit limit without obtaining the user's consent.

[0055] In short, the present invention provides an information processing system having a user terminal, a business server, and a payment management server, wherein the payment management server sets credit limit information indicating the maximum amount that can be used for credit transactions at a store operated by the business; when the business server receives an instruction from the user terminal to purchase goods using credit transactions, it queries the payment management server for the user's credit limit balance; the payment management server notifies the user of the credit limit balance in response to the query; and if the price of the goods exceeds the credit limit balance, the business server notifies the user that the goods cannot be purchased with the current credit limit balance, and then sends information to the user terminal about alternative goods that can be purchased within the credit limit balance or procedures for increasing the credit limit balance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1... Commercial transaction system, 10... Business operator server, 20... User terminal, 30... Payment management server, 50... Network, 11... Processor, 12... Storage unit, 13... Communication unit, 14... Input / Output unit, 101... Reception unit, 103... Purchase promotion unit, 104... Purchase procedure unit, DB1... Access history database, DB2... Product database.

Claims

1. When the service provider's server receives a purchase instruction from the user's terminal using credit transactions, it queries the payment management server for the user's credit limit balance. The payment management server notifies the credit limit balance in response to the inquiry, The service provider's server, if the price of the product exceeds the outstanding credit limit, notifies the user that the product cannot be purchased with the current credit limit, and then sends information to the user terminal regarding alternative products that can be purchased within the limits of the outstanding credit limit or procedures for increasing the outstanding credit limit. A commercial transaction method that includes [a specific characteristic].

2. The payment management server further includes the step of setting credit limit information that indicates the maximum amount that can be used for credit transactions at stores operated by the business operator. The commercial transaction method described in claim 1.

3. The aforementioned substitute product is determined based on the products the user has previously viewed at stores operated by the business operator. The commercial transaction method described in claim 1.

4. The procedure for increasing the credit limit balance includes a process of requesting the settlement management server to raise the upper limit. The commercial transaction method described in claim 2.

5. The procedure for increasing the credit limit balance includes a process of notifying the user terminal of information based on the expected change in the credit limit balance. The commercial transaction method described in claim 1.

6. The aforementioned credit limit information is set for each user and for each service provider. The aforementioned credit limit balance is the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of credit transactions conducted at multiple businesses' stores from the credit limit granted to the aforementioned single user. The commercial transaction method described in claim 2.

7. A reception unit that receives instructions from user terminals to purchase products using credit transactions, An acquisition unit that obtains the credit limit balance of the user of the user terminal from the payment management server, If the price of the aforementioned product exceeds the outstanding credit limit, the Purchase Promotion Unit notifies the user that the purchase cannot be made with the current credit limit, and then transmits information to the user terminal regarding similar products that can be purchased within the limits of the outstanding credit limit or procedures for increasing the outstanding credit limit. A commercial transaction device having

8. On the computer, When a user terminal receives an instruction to purchase goods using a credit transaction, the system queries the payment management server for the user's credit limit balance. If the price of the aforementioned product exceeds the outstanding credit limit, the Purchase Promotion Unit notifies the user that the purchase cannot be made with the current credit limit, and then transmits information to the user terminal regarding alternative products that can be purchased within the limits of the outstanding credit limit or procedures for increasing the outstanding credit limit. A program to execute.

9. It has a user terminal, a business server, and a payment management server. The aforementioned carrier server is A reception unit that receives instructions from user terminals to purchase products using credit transactions, An acquisition unit that obtains the credit limit balance of the user of the user terminal from the payment management server, If the price of the aforementioned product exceeds the outstanding credit limit, the Purchase Promotion Unit notifies the user that the purchase cannot be made with the current credit limit, and then transmits information to the user terminal regarding similar products that can be purchased within the limits of the outstanding credit limit or procedures for increasing the outstanding credit limit. A commercial transaction system that has [this feature].

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