Price request processing method for prices communicated over a computer network, uses posting of summary of purchaser request to attract initial offers, then sends detail of request to providers selected from initial offers

摘要

The price matching system has a server (6) that matches provider prices (3,4,5) to purchaser requests (2). The server stores a summary of a purchaser request, authorizes providers to access this summary, and stores their replies (8.3,8.4,8.5). A detailed description of the purchaser's requirements is then provided to selected suppliers, and their responses stored (10.3,10.4) on the server.