Method of exchanging goods over the internet

A system for coordinating the exchange of items between individuals via a communications network, said system comprising:

• a central computer;
• a plurality of remote terminals, each of said remote terminals having input devices for entering data;
• a data communication network providing a signal path for data exchange between said central computer and said plurality of remote terminals;
• a processor located at said central computer;
• an interface located at said central computer, said interface being controlled by said processor, wherein said interface is capable of providing data to and receiving data from said remote terminals;
• a data storage device connected to said central computer, said data storage device being controlled by said processor, and said data storage device storing data records comprising information related to at least one of:
• items offered for exchange, requests for items to be exchanged, descriptions of items, and user identification;
• and
• a preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange that is provided, maintained, and updated by a third party;
• said central computer receiving a data entry identifying an item offered for exchange that is on the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange and search criteria relating to a desired item requested for exchange that is on the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange input at one of said plurality of remote terminals by a first user, the search criteria generated by the first user's selection of an item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
• said processor analyzing the data records to determine whether the received search criteria are satisfied by information contained in the data records provided by a second user who previously identified an item offered for exchange and a desired item, both from the list of like items, and said processor further analyzes the data records to determine whether search criteria associated with the data records are satisfied by the received data entry;
• said processor selectively retrieving a data record that:
• (1) satisfies the received search criteria of the first user, and (2) is satisfied in its search criteria by the received data entry;
• and
• said processor providing information contained in the selectively retrieved record to the first user.

A method for conducting an online exchange club wherein users access a central computer via a communications network, store in a database associated with the central computer information identifying items they would like to exchange with other users and items they would like to receive in exchange, and wherein the central computer automatically matches users who have input complementary information, said method comprising:

• providing access to a central computer via a communications network;
• providing, maintaining, and updating a preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange, wherein the steps of providing, maintaining, and updating are performed by a third party;
• receiving a data entry from a first user identifying an item offered for exchange, wherein the data entry is comprised of the first user's selection of an item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
• receiving search criteria from the first user identifying an item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
• searching records in a database associated with the central computer for information that satisfies the search criteria, wherein the information comprises a data entry from a second user identifying an item offered for exchange and a desired item to be received in exchange, both items selected from the preexisting list of like items;
• analyzing the records to determine whether the received search criteria are satisfied by information contained in the records;
• analyzing the records to determine whether search criteria associated with the records are satisfied by the received data entry;
• selectively retrieving a record that:
• (1) satisfies the received search criteria, and (2) is satisfied in its search criteria by the received data entry;
• and
• displaying information related to the selectively retrieved records.