Method and apparatus for a cryptographically assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate buyer-driven conditional purchase offers

An apparatus for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and at least one of a plurality of sellers, comprising:

• a storage device;
• and
• a processor connected to the storage device,
• the storage device storing
• a program for controlling the processor;
• and
• the processor operative with the program to receive a conditional purchase offer which includes an offer price;
• receive a payment identifier specifying a credit card account, the payment identifier being associated with the conditional purchase offer;
• make the conditional purchase offer available to the plurality of sellers after receiving the payment identifier;
• receive an acceptance from a seller, the acceptance being responsive to the conditional purchase offer;
• and
• provide payment to the seller by using the payment identifier.

A method for using a computer to facilitate a transaction between a buyer and at least one of a plurality of sellers, comprising:

• inputting into the computer a conditional purchase offer which includes an offer price;
• inputting into the computer a payment identifier specifying a financial account, the payment identifier being associated with the conditional purchase offer;
• outputting to the buyer a request for authorization to use the payment identifier to provide a payment it an acceptance is received;
• inputting into the computer authorization from the buyer in response to the request;
• outputting the conditional purchase offer to the plurality of sellers after receiving the payment identifier;
• inputting into the computer an acceptance from a seller, the acceptance being responsive to the conditional purchase offer;
• and
• providing the payment to the seller by using the payment identifier.

An apparatus for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and at least one of a plurality of sellers, comprising:

• a storage device;
• and
• a processor connected to the storage device,
• the storage device storing
• a program for controlling the processor;
• and
• the processor operative with the program to
• receive a conditional purchase offer which includes an offer price;
• receive a payment identifier specifying a financial account, the payment identifier being associated with the conditional purchase offer;
• output to the buyer a request for an authorization to use the payment identifier to provide a payment if an acceptance is received;
• receive the authorization from the buyer in response to the request;
• transmit the conditional purchase otter to the plurality of sellers after receiving the payment identifier;
• receive an acceptance from a seller, the acceptance being responsive to the transmitted conditional purchase offer;
• and
• provide the payment to the seller by using the payment identifier.