Settlement systems and methods wherein a buyer takes possession at a retailer of a product purchased using a communication network

A method of operating a purchasing system, comprising:

• receiving, from a buyer through a communication network, information about a product to be purchased from a seller at a first price;
• receiving payment based on the first price from the buyer;
• arranging for the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer that offers the product for sale at a second price, wherein the retailer is not the seller;
• sending to the retailer verification information enabling the retailer to authorize the buyer to take possession of the product;
• and
• arranging for the retailer to receive payment of a settlement puce in exchange for providing the product to the buyer.

A method of operating a purchasing system, comprising:

• receiving, from a buyer through a communication network, a buyer offer, including information about a product to be purchased, a first price and a payment identifier;
• determining if the buyer offer will be accepted by evaluating at least one of:
• the first price, a settlement price to be paid to a retailer in exchange for providing the product to the buyer, a seller price to be paid to a seller of the product, a subsidy amount to be paid by a subsidy provider, a commission amount to be paid by a commission provider, and a minimum acceptable price;
• receiving from the buyer payment of the first price using the payment identifier;
• sending a pseudo payment identifier to the buyer;
• receiving the pseudo payment identifier from the retailer;
• sending to the retailer a verification authorizing the buyer to take possession of the product;
• and
• arranging for the retailer to receive payment of the settlement price.

A purchasing system device, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a storage device coupled to said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to:
• arrange through a communication network for a buyer to (i) purchase a product from a seller at a first price, and (ii) take possession of the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the product for sale at a second price;
• receive from the buyer a payment of an amount based on the first price;
• and
• arrange for the retailer to receive payment of an amount based on a settlement price in exchange for providing the product to the buyer.

A purchasing system apparatus, comprising:

• means for arranging through a communication network for a buyer to (i) purchase a product from a seller at a first price, and (ii) take possession of the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the product for sale at a second price;
• means for receiving from the buyer a payment of an amount based on the first price;
• and
• means for arranging for the retailer to receive payment of an amount based on a settlement price in exchange for providing the product to the buyer.

A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method for operating a purchasing system, said method comprising:

• arranging through a communication network for a buyer to (i) purchase a product from a seller at a first price, and (ii) take possession of the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the product for sale at a second price;
• receiving from the buyer a payment of an amount based on the first price;
• and
• arranging for the retailer to receive payment of an amount based on a settlement price in exchange for providing the product to the buyer.

A method of using a purchasing system, comprising:

• arranging with the purchasing system, through a communication network, to purchase a product from a seller at a first price;
• paying an amount based on the first price to the purchasing system;
• receiving redemption information from the purchasing system;
• providing the redemption information to a retailer that offers the product for sale at a second price;
• and
• taking possession of the product at the retailer.

A method of operating a purchasing system, comprising:

• arranging through a communication network for a buyer to render payment equal to a first price, through the communication network, to a seller for a product, the product being offered for sale by the seller for the first price;
• arranging for the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer that offers the product for sale at a second price;
• and
• arranging for the retailer to receive payment of a settlement price in exchange for providing the product to the buyer.

A method of operating a purchasing system, comprising:

• arranging through a communication network for a buyer to (i) purchase a product from a seller at a first price, and (ii) take possession of the product at a retail that offers the product for sale at a second price, wherein the retailer is not the seller;
• arranging for the buyer to provide to the retailer a payment of an amount based on the first price;
• and
• arranging for the retailer to receive payment of an amount based on a difference between the first price and a settlement price in exchange for providing the product to the buyer.

A method of operating a purchasing system, comprising:

• arranging through a communication network for a buyer to (i) purchase a product from a seller at a first price, and (ii) take possession of the product at a retail that offers the product for sale at a second price, wherein the retailer is not the seller;
• determining if the second price is less than the first price;
• and
• if the second price is less than the first price, arranging for the buyer to purchase the product from the seller at no more than the second price.