On-line auction method across multiple auction sites

A computer-implemented method for conducting a multi-site auction supplied from a source of inventory, comprising the steps of:

• (a) establishing in a computerized common controller processor and memory a plurality of auction venues autonomous of one another but under the control of said computerized common controller processor and memory, wherein each of said plurality of auction venues is connected to one or more affiliated auction websites, which each permit a unique set of participants to access auctions generated by its respective auction venue;
• (b) establishing in said computerized common controller memory a unique set of parameters for each auction venue, wherein each set of parameters delineates a distinct marketing framework for each auction venue;
• (c) establishing an inventory comprising a plurality of items;
• (d) generating a data file in said computerized common controller memory for each of said plurality of items in said inventory, each said data file including a registration mark and at least one characteristic of said item;
• (e) selecting a first set of data files from said inventory;
• (f) distributing each data file in said first set of data files to a single auction venue amongst said plurality of auction venues based upon an algorithm performed by said computerized common controller processor, wherein said algorithm correlates said item characteristics in each of said data files with said unique set of parameters for each auction venue;
• (f) conducting a separate auction at each of said auction venues from said one or more auction websites affiliated with each said auction venue, wherein each auction is displayed on each of said respective one or more affiliated auction websites and controlled by the centralized network controller processor and memory through each respective auction venue, and wherein each auction venue receives feedback information from its respective affiliated auction websites and retransmits said feedback information to all respective affiliated auction websites.

A computerized system for supplying a multi-site auction, comprising:

• (a) an inventory that includes a plurality of items offered by a seller;
• (b) a computerized network controller processor and memory in communication with said seller;
• said network controller processor and memory having a catalog database comprising a computerized data file on each of said plurality of items, each said data file including a registration mark and at least one characteristic of said item;
• (c) a plurality of auction venues autonomous of one another but in communication with and under the control of said computerized network controller processor and memory, wherein each of said auction venues has a unique set of operating parameters which are controlled by said computerized network controller processor, wherein each set of operating parameters delineates a distinct marketing framework for each auction venue;
• and
• (d) a plurality of auction websites, wherein each of said auction websites is affiliated and in communication with only one of said plurality of auction venues, each of said plurality of auction websites having a display which is linked to and controlled by said computerized network controller processor through its respective auction venue and which permits a unique set of participants to access auctions generated by its respective auction venue;
• wherein said computerized network controller processor and memory selects and distributes each data file to one of said plurality of auction venues based upon an algorithm performed by said computerized network controller processor and memory, which correlates said item characteristics in each said data file with said unique set of parameters of each said auction venue.