INTERNET PURCHASE SYSTEM FOR SELECTING RETAIL MERCHANTS ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS

摘要

This invention provides a method and an apparatus that consumers can use toselect retailmerchants over the internet. Information is obtained from consumers aboutservices and products theydesire. Potential providers then view the consumer's information, and pay tomake their owninformation available to one or more consumers they select on the basis of theconsumer's description.The consumers may then enter into a dialog with the providers to set up amerchant transaction. Thus,the system is driven by consumer's needs, and financed by the merchants. Anadvantage of thissystem is that by requiring the providers to pay for access to the consumer'sinformation, the consumersare not inundated by large volumes of inappropriate and unwelcomesolicitations. Instead, themerchants are self-selecting as being both able and financially eager toprovide the desired productsand services.