Method to Facilitate Electronic Commerce Between Buyers and Sellers Using a Buyer-Initiated System

Abstract

This invention is a method of brokering a relationship between buyers and sellers via electronic means by way of an intermediary facilitating this relationship. Potential buyers of goods or services relay their requirements and desired range of pricing for a good or service to an aggregator. A potential buyer's personal contact information is hidden from any seller that would be interested in selling a buyer the requested good or service. Sellers have the option of searching a list of willing buyers of goods or services or may have this list sent to them electronically. Additionally, the requirements of buyers may be proactively used to search seller websites or databases via a web crawler. A brokerage fee to an aggregator is all that is required for a seller to gain access to a buyer via proxy. This method does not bind buyers to sellers. It allows a buyer to set a pre-determined price range based on his requirements for a good or service and a seller to make an initial connection with a buyer based on these needs. Should a buyer transact with seller, the buyer is incentivized to report the sale to the intermediary such that an additional transaction fee may be charged by the aggregator.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.