Equipment rental and sales system and equipment rental and sales method

Abstract

To provide an article lending sale system and an article lending sale method which can sell an article while lending the article.SOLUTION: An article lending sale system 1 which lends or sells an article includes: a storage unit 12 which stores a lending price in each of predetermined periods of time, an initial sale price which is a sale price at an initial stage, and a subtraction price in each of predetermined periods of time; a control unit 10 which subtracts the subtraction price from the initial sale price in each of predetermined periods of time to present time so as to calculate a present sale price which is a sale price of the article at the present time; and a presentation unit 14 which presents at least the present sale price out of the lending price, the initial sale price, the subtraction price, and the present sale price to a borrower.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article lending and selling system and an article lending and selling method that can sell an article while lending it.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for the purpose of enabling a dealer to sell or lend out products such as used cars without generating defective inventory, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-26417 discloses a storage means for storing information on products managed by a storage management company and information on the lending status of each product to each dealer who borrows and sells or lends out products from the storage management company, and a storage management system for managing information on the lending status to each dealer is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is aimed at enabling a dealer to sell or lend out products such as used cars without generating defective inventory, which is different from the present invention. Thus, a system or method for selling an article while lending it is not disclosed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an article lending and selling system and an article lending and selling method that can sell an article while lending it.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The article lending and selling system of the present invention is A system for lending or selling goods, A storage unit that stores the rental price for each predetermined period, the initial sales price which is the initial selling price, and the deduction price for each predetermined period, A control unit that calculates the current selling price of the item at a given time by subtracting the subtraction price from the initial selling price at predetermined intervals, A display unit that presents to the borrower at least the current selling price among the aforementioned rental price, initial selling price, deduction price, and current selling price, It is characterized by having the following features.

[0007] According to the article rental and sales system of the present invention, articles can be rented at a rental price while being sold at the current selling price as needed. Furthermore, since the current selling price generally decreases, depending on the article, the borrower can purchase the article while still renting it when the current selling price falls to a price at which they can afford to buy it.

[0008] A preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention is: The control unit calculates the current selling price over time, The display unit will display at least the current selling price over the future.

[0009] According to a preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention, the borrower can know the future current selling price which will decrease due to a reduction in price.

[0010] A preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention is: The aforementioned deduction price fluctuates over time.

[0011] In a preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention, since the discounted price fluctuates over time, it becomes possible to operate the system such as increasing the rate of decrease in the current sales price at predetermined intervals during the first year, and then decreasing the rate of decrease thereafter.

[0012] A preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention is: The control unit calculates the initial selling price by adding the initial costs to the purchase price of the goods.

[0013] According to a preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention, initial costs can be added to the initial sales price, so that the seller can obtain a fair profit even if the rental period is short.

[0014] A preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention is: The control unit calculates the current selling price by adding the inspection price of the item, if necessary.

[0015] According to a preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention, an inspection fee can be added to the current sales price, thus enabling the system to handle items whose value fluctuates depending on whether or not an inspection is performed.

[0016] A preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention is: A minimum price is set for the current selling price, and the current selling price does not fall below this minimum price even after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0017] According to a preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention, since a minimum selling price is currently set, it is possible to prevent articles from becoming unfairly cheap due to price reductions at predetermined intervals.

[0018] A preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention is: The display unit is attached to the item so that the borrower of the item can find out the current selling price.

[0019] In a preferred example of the article rental and sales system of the present invention, the display unit is attached to the article so that the borrower can check the current selling price at any time.

[0020] The article rental and sales method of the present invention is A method of lending or selling goods, A storage step of storing the lending price for each predetermined period, the initial selling price which is the initial sales price, and the subtraction price for each predetermined period; A calculation step of calculating the current selling price, which is the selling price of the article at that time, by subtracting the subtraction price from the initial selling price for each predetermined period; A presentation step of presenting at least the current selling price to the borrower among the lending price, the initial selling price, the subtraction price, and the current selling price; and while lending the article at the lending price, selling it at the current selling price as necessary, characterized in that.

[0021] A preferred example of the article lending and selling method of the present invention is in the calculation step, calculating the current selling price over time, and in the presentation step, presenting at least the current selling price over time.

[0022] A preferred example of the article lending and selling method of the present invention is the subtraction price is varied as time passes.

[0023] A preferred example of the article lending and selling method of the present invention is in the storage step, adding an initial cost to the purchase price of the article and storing the initial selling price.

[0024] A preferred example of the article lending and selling method of the present invention is in the calculation step, calculating as necessary by adding the inspection price of the article to the current selling price.

[0025] A preferred example of the article lending and selling method of the present invention is a lower limit price of the current selling price is determined, and the current selling price does not fall below the lower limit price even as time passes.

[0026] A preferred example of the article lending and selling method of the present invention is a presentation object on which the current selling price is presented is attached to the article so that the borrower of the article can grasp the current selling price.

[0027] These methods for lending and selling goods according to the present invention can achieve the same effects and advantages as the above-described goods lending and selling system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] As described above, the article lending and sales system and article lending and sales method of the present invention make it possible to lend out articles and sell them at the same time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the configuration of an item rental and sales system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram explains the rental price, initial sales price, and deduction price, etc. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the flow of the goods rental and sales system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the item rental and sales system 1 and the item rental and sales method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The item rental and sales method according to the present invention is implemented using the item rental and sales system 1 according to the present invention.

[0031] Here, we will first describe the outline of the item rental and sales system 1 and the item rental and sales method of this embodiment, as well as the various prices used therein. The item rental and sales system 1 and the item rental and sales method of this embodiment allow items 20 to be rented to borrowers while simultaneously making it possible to sell those items 20 at any time. In this embodiment, used automobiles are used as an example of items 20, but various other items such as paintings, watches, musical instruments, home appliances such as televisions and refrigerators, office supplies such as desks, machine tools, construction machinery, real estate such as houses, and animals can also be used.

[0032] The rental price is, for example, the monthly rental price for renting out item 20. The initial selling price is the price at which item 20 is sold when the rental or sale of item 20 begins. This initial selling price is determined by adding the store's initial costs to the purchase price of item 20. The purchase price can include expenses such as maintenance costs and transportation costs to the store in addition to the price at which the store purchased the item. The subtraction price is subtracted from the initial selling price, for example, each month, to determine the current selling price of item 20 at that time. Therefore, when the rental or sale of item 20 begins, the initial selling price and the current selling price will be the same. The current selling price is determined each month by subtracting the subtraction price from the current selling price of the previous month.

[0033] The current selling price may also include an inspection fee, depending on the inspections required for the item 20. For example, the value of a used car fluctuates depending on whether or not it has passed its vehicle inspection. When a vehicle inspection is performed, the inspection fee can be added to determine the current selling price, which reflects the car's value at that time. In this embodiment, the inspection fee is referred to as the "vehicle inspection fee." The inspection fee may also include taxes such as automobile tax and other costs necessary for maintenance. Furthermore, a lower limit is set for the current selling price, and once the price falls to this limit, it will not fall any further. The deduction fee can also be increased or decreased over time. In addition, for example, the cost of delivery (delivery) or pickup to the borrower's home can be separately recorded as the delivery fee.

[0034] Next, an embodiment of the item rental and sales system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, the item rental and sales system 1 of this embodiment comprises a control unit 10, an input unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, and a presentation unit 14.

[0035] The control unit 10 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), various registers, etc., and works in cooperation with each component to operate the item rental and sales system 1 of this embodiment. The control unit 10 also has the role of calculating and determining the various prices used in the item rental and sales system 1.

[0036] The input unit 11 consists of input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and is used to input various prices such as rental price, initial sales price, deduction price, purchase price, and initial costs.

[0037] The memory unit 12 is composed of memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD, and SSD, and stores various prices input by the input unit 11, as well as various prices calculated or determined by the control unit 10.

[0038] The display unit 13 consists of various monitors and displays various prices entered in the input unit 11, as well as the current selling price calculated by the control unit 10. The display unit 13 is primarily intended for use by the store. This display unit 13 can display both an area that can only be entered or viewed by the store, such as the store input area shown in Figure 2(A), and an area for display to the tenant, as shown in Figure 2(B).

[0039] The display unit 14 displays a table as shown in Figure 2(B) and is intended to show the borrower the rental price, deduction price, vehicle inspection surcharge price, current sales price, etc., and at least the current sales price at the present time is displayed. Furthermore, it is preferable that the display unit 14 also displays the rental price, deduction price, vehicle inspection surcharge price, current sales price, etc., over the course of the year and into the future. For example, a terminal device using an LCD screen can be used as this display unit 14. In such cases, it can be displayed to the borrower not only in the store, but also transmitted via telecommunications lines to the borrower's smartphone or personal computer using an application with email or various messaging functions, or a web browser. Moreover, it is also possible to construct the display unit 14 from paper or a plastic plate and attach it to the item 20. When attaching this display unit 14 to the item 20, it may be attached directly to the item 20, or it may be attached to the rental contract or vehicle inspection certificate, etc.

[0040] Next, based on the components of the item rental and sales system 1 described above, an embodiment of the item rental and sales method will be explained. Note that the operation of the item rental and sales system 1 can be understood by reading the following explanation of the item rental and sales method, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0041] The item rental and sales method of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, comprises an input step S1010, a storage step S1020, a calculation step S1030, and a presentation step S1040.

[0042] The input step S1010 involves inputting the initial selling price, rental price, vehicle inspection surcharge price, deduction price, and the lower limit of the current selling price of the item 20 using a keyboard or the like (see Figure 2(A)). Here, the initial selling price can be automatically calculated by the control unit 10 by inputting the purchase price of the item 20 and the initial costs considering the store's profit and labor. When inputting the deduction price, it can be decreased or increased as time passes. For example, the deduction price could be set to 20,000 yen per month for the first year, and 10,000 yen per month from the second year onward. Note that some items may not change in value over time, or their value may increase. In such cases, the deduction price can be set to 0 yen or a negative value.

[0043] Furthermore, the rental price can be increased or decreased over time. A minimum price can also be entered to prevent the current selling price from falling below a predetermined level. Additionally, a vehicle inspection surcharge and its timing can be entered based on the costs of vehicle inspections, etc. For example, if a vehicle inspection is scheduled for June 2023, 70,000 yen can be entered as the vehicle inspection surcharge. The various prices entered in this way are displayed by the display unit 13, for example, as shown in Figure 2(A). At this time, known spreadsheet software can be used to input or calculate these various prices (the same applies to each step described later).

[0044] Next, the storage step S1020 will be explained. The storage step S1020 stores the various prices entered in the input step S1010 into the storage unit 12. In practice, the various prices are stored in the storage unit 12 of the goods rental and sales system 1 at least temporarily at the same time as the various prices are entered, so the input step S1010 and the storage step S1020 are performed in parallel. To permanently store the various prices, the software can be used to perform a save operation, or the software can be made to automatically perform a storage operation.

[0045] Next, in calculation step S1030, the control unit 10 subtracts a predetermined deduction price from the initial sales price at predetermined intervals to calculate the current sales price, which will be the sales price at that time in the future. The calculated current sales price is also stored in the storage unit 12. In calculation step S1030, a lower limit price for the current sales price is read from the storage unit 12, and the current sales price is adjusted so that it does not fall below that lower limit price no matter how much time passes. Also, when the year and month corresponding to the vehicle inspection surcharge price stored in the storage unit 12 arrives, the vehicle inspection surcharge price is added to the current sales price and calculated. These calculated current sales prices, along with the rental price, deduction price, etc., stored in storage step S1020, are taken into consideration to create a table, for example, as shown in Figure 2(B), which is then displayed by the display unit 13.

[0046] Next, in presentation step S1040, the current selling price is displayed on a display section 14, such as a terminal device, paper, or plastic plate, that can be viewed by the borrower. Here, a table is displayed, as shown in Figure 2(B), which lists the rental price, deduction price, vehicle inspection surcharge price, current selling price, and the year and month at which these prices apply. The borrower can then rent the item 20 at the rental price each month and purchase it at the current selling price whenever they wish. Furthermore, if the dealer has multiple similar items 20 available, such as a used car, the borrower can rent one car for a predetermined period, then switch to a different car to determine if it is suitable for purchase while continuing to rent that car. In addition, if necessary, the borrower can repeat the process of renting a car for a predetermined period and switching to a different car until they find the car that best suits them.

[0047] Details of the various prices entered or calculated in this manner will be explained with reference to Figures 2(A) and 2(B). In this embodiment, as already mentioned, a used automobile is used as the item 20. If the used automobile is purchased for 300,000 yen, 300,000 yen is entered in the purchase price column in Figure 2(A) (see row a in the figure). Next, if the store wants to add 250,000 yen as profit, 250,000 yen is entered in the initial cost column (see row b in the figure). Then, the control unit 10 adds the initial cost to the purchase price, and the initial selling price is displayed as 550,000 yen (see row c in the figure).

[0048] Furthermore, a minimum selling price is set. Here, 200,000 yen is entered as the minimum price (see row d in the diagram). In addition, the monthly rental price is set separately for the initial period and after the current selling price reaches its minimum. Here, 40,000 yen and 30,000 yen are entered, respectively (see rows e and f in the diagram). In addition, the monthly deduction price is set separately for before and after the specified period. Here, 20,000 yen is entered for the first year and 10,000 yen for the second year and beyond (see rows g and h in the diagram). Furthermore, the inspection surcharge price is entered along with the time when the inspection surcharge price is required. Here, 70,000 yen is recorded in June 2023 (see row i in the diagram).

[0049] Next, the control unit 10 calculates various prices and determines where they will be displayed, creating the table shown in Figure 2(B). This table can be displayed and confirmed by the store on the display unit 13, and is also presented to the borrower by the presentation unit 14. This table includes the following items: year and month, rental price, deduction price, vehicle inspection surcharge price, and current sales price. In January 2022, when the vehicle is first rented or sold, the rental price is 40,000 yen, the deduction price is 0 yen, the vehicle inspection surcharge price is 0 yen, and the current sales price is 550,000 yen. In February 2022, the following month, the deduction price of 20,000 yen is deducted from the current sales price of 550,000 yen in January, resulting in a current sales price of 530,000 yen. This is repeated monthly, and from January 2023, the deduction price is set to 10,000 yen. As a result, the current sales price in January 2023 is 320,000 yen, which is 10,000 yen less than the current sales price in December 2022.

[0050] Additionally, in June 2023, the vehicle will undergo a vehicle inspection, and a 70,000 yen inspection fee will be added to the price during that month. As a result, the current selling price for that month will be 340,000 yen, 60,000 yen higher than the previous month. Further down the line, in August 2024, the current selling price will reach its lower limit of 200,000 yen. Then, from September 2024 onwards, the deduction price will become 0 yen, and the current selling price will remain at 200,000 yen. At the same time that the deduction price becomes 0 yen, the rental price will be reduced from the original 40,000 yen to 30,000 yen.

[0051] As explained above, according to the item rental and sales system 1 and item rental and sales method of this embodiment, the borrower can purchase the item 20 while the item 20 is being rented. Furthermore, even without renting the item 20, other buyers can purchase the item 20 if it is available in the store. Therefore, the consumer (borrower) can use the item 20 for a relatively long period, for example from one day to one month, before deciding whether to purchase it. This allows them to fully confirm whether the item 20 they are purchasing truly suits their preferences and lifestyle.

[0052] Furthermore, the current selling price decreases over time due to the deduction price. In addition, the current selling price for the future is presented. Therefore, it is possible to purchase item 20, which could not be purchased initially because the price was unacceptable, after a certain period has passed and the current selling price of item 20 has decreased. Also, although the rental price to be paid during the rental period of item 20 is basically 40,000 yen per month in the above example, because the current selling price decreases due to the deduction price, if you purchase it, you can effectively rent it for an amount equal to the rental price minus the deduction price. For example, in Figure 2(B), even if you rented a car for a rental price of 40,000 yen in January 2022, the current selling price the following month is 530,000 yen, which is 20,000 yen cheaper than the previous month. From this, if you purchase the car in February 2022, it means that the consumer rented the car for 20,000 yen per month.

[0053] Furthermore, since the deduction price decreases or increases over time, flexible operation is possible, for example, by setting the initial cost higher and then setting the initial deduction price higher accordingly.

[0054] Furthermore, inspection fees (inspection surcharges) are added to the current sales price during vehicle inspections and other maintenance. This allows for a current sales price that reflects the increased value of a vehicle after it has passed inspection. In addition, a minimum current sales price is set, preventing unfairly low prices and allowing dealerships to operate with peace of mind.

[0055] Furthermore, while holding inventory of items 20 such as automobiles puts a strain on the store's operations, the item rental and sales system 1 and item rental and sales method of this embodiment allow the store to always rent out the items 20 and generate profit from that rental. As a result, the concept of obsolete inventory is eliminated. This makes it possible to stock a wide variety of car models, and customers can choose from a large selection of cars to find one that suits their needs.

[0056] The above-described item rental and sales system and item rental and sales method are illustrative examples of the present invention, and their configurations can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1. Equipment rental and sales system, 10. Control unit, 11. Input unit, 12. Storage unit, 13. Display unit, 14. Presentation unit, 20...goods,

Claims

1. A system for lending or selling goods, A storage unit that stores the rental price for each predetermined period, the initial sales price which is the initial selling price, and the deduction price for each predetermined period, A control unit calculates the current selling price of the item at a given time by subtracting the deduction price from the initial selling price at predetermined intervals, and stores the inspection price and inspection time of the item in the storage unit, and when the inspection time for the item arrives, it calculates the current selling price by adding the inspection price to the current selling price by referring to the inspection price, and then subtracts the deduction price from the price including the inspection price. A display unit that presents to the borrower at least the current selling price among the aforementioned rental price, initial selling price, deduction price, and current selling price, A system for lending and selling goods, characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The article rental and sales system according to Claim 1, wherein the article is an automobile and the inspection price is the cost of a vehicle inspection.

3. A method for lending or selling goods, which is performed by a computer, A storage step that stores the rental price for each predetermined period, the initial sales price which is the initial selling price, and the deduction price for each predetermined period, A calculation step which involves subtracting the deduction price from the initial selling price at predetermined intervals to calculate the current selling price of the item at that time, and if the inspection price and inspection time of the item are stored in the storage step, and the inspection time of the item is reached, the current selling price is calculated by adding the inspection price of the item to the current selling price by referring to the inspection price, and the subsequent deduction of the deduction price is performed from the price obtained by adding the inspection price, A presentation step in which at least the current selling price is presented to the lessee among the aforementioned rental price, the aforementioned initial selling price, the aforementioned deduction price, and the aforementioned current selling price, A method for lending and selling goods, characterized by comprising the following features.

4. The method for renting and selling an article according to Claim 3, wherein the article is an automobile and the inspection price is the cost of a vehicle inspection.

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