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

A processor-implemented method of electronically consummating a binding commercial contract between a remote first party and a remote second party, comprising:

• electronically receiving from the first party an offer containing at least one condition, wherein the offer contains the condition that the first party has the right to withdraw its offer after a first-accepting second party accepts the offer provided that the first party pays a specified penalty to the first-accepting second party;
• electronically making available the offer to a plurality of prospective second parties;
• electronically receiving from at least one prospective second party an unconditional acceptance of the offer;
• determining by the processor the first unconditional acceptance to be received and the identity of the first-accepting second party;
• and
• collecting payment for the purchase from the first party, wherein collecting payment includes receiving from the first party credit card information and authorization to charge the payment against the credit card.

An electronic system for consummating a binding contract between a prospective buyer and seller, comprising:

• a central processor located remotely from the prospective buyer and the potential seller;
• input means associated with the processor for receiving from the prospective buyer a purchase offer containing at least one condition, wherein the purchase offer contains the condition that the buyer has the right to withdraw its offer after a first-accepting seller accepts the offer provided that the buyer pays a specified penalty to the first-accepting seller;
• means associated with the processor for electronically making available the purchase offer to a plurality of potential sellers;
• input means associated with the processor for electronically receiving from at least one of the potential sellers an unconditional acceptance of the offer;
• logic means associated with the processor for determining the first unconditional acceptance to be received and the identity of the first-accepting seller;
• and
• collecting payment for the purchase from the buyer, wherein collecting payment includes receiving from the buyer credit card information and authorization to charge the payment against the credit card.

A processor-implemented method of electronically consummating a binding contract between a remote prospective buyer and a remote potential seller, which comprises:

• electronically receiving by the processor from the prospective buyer a purchase offer containing at least two conditions, one condition stating that the buyer shall have the right to choose from among a plurality of acceptances from potential sellers at least one acceptance to which the prospective buyer shall be bound and another condition stating that the buyer has the right to withdraw its offer and not choose from among the plurality of acceptances provided that the buyer pays a specified penalty;
• electronically making available the purchase offer to a plurality of potential sellers;
• electronically receiving from a plurality of the potential sellers unconditional acceptances of the offer;
• electronically transmitting the plurality of unconditional acceptances to the prospective buyer;
• electronically receiving from the prospective buyer at least one election of an unconditional acceptance under which the buyer will be bound to perform;
• and
• collecting payment for the purchase from the buyer, wherein collecting payment includes receiving from the buyer credit card information and authorization to charge the payment against the credit card.

A processor-implemented method of electronically offering a binding contract from a prospective buyer to a plurality of remote potential sellers, which comprises:

• electronically receiving by the processor from the prospective buyer a bindable purchase offer containing at least one condition, wherein the purchase offer contains the condition that the buyer has the right to withdraw its offer after a first-accepting seller accepts the offer provided that the buyer pays a specified penalty to the first-accepting seller;
• electronically making available the purchase offer to a plurality of potential sellers;
• and
• collecting payment from the buyer, wherein collecting payment includes receiving from the buyer credit card information and authorization to charge a payment against the credit card.