Method and System for Conducting an Auction Over a Network

Abstract

A method and system for enabling a user or bidder to purchase an option on auction merchandise or services in an online auction are provided, thus allowing the option winner to purchase the merchandise in the event the original auction bidder (i.e., the highest bidder for the merchandise) defaults on his purchase. The method and system also provides an incentive to the users purchasing the option(s), e.g., bid optionees, by partially distributing the option pool of monies collected to the user who purchases the option at the price closest to the final auction price.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method for providing at least one discounted item, the method comprising:
 receiving input by server regarding at least one discounted item provided by a merchant at a processor;   calculating a first tipping threshold for the at least one discounted item based on the input using one or more software applications implemented by the processor.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising determining a first payment for a first voucher for the at least one discounted item using one or more software applications implemented by the processor. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising calculating a first percentage of the first payment to be awarded to the merchant and a second percentage of the first payment to be awarded to an operator of the server using one or more software applications implemented by the processor. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising calculating a second tipping threshold for the at least one discounted item provided by the merchant using one or more software applications implemented by the processor. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising determining a second payment for a second voucher for the at least one discounted item using one or more software applications implemented by the processor. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising calculating a first percentage of the second payment to be awarded to the merchant and a second percentage of the second payment to be awarded to the operator using one or more software applications implemented by the processor. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 providing a web site for presenting the at least discounted one item hosted by at least one server in communication with the network;   receiving a plurality of first requests to purchase the at least one discounted item at a first discount by the server from each of at least one first users;   awarding the first voucher to each of at least one first users when the number of the plurality of first requests exceeds the first tipping threshold;   receiving the first payment for the at least one discounted items based on the awarding the first voucher.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 receiving a plurality of second requests to purchase the at least one discounted item at a second discount by the server from each of at least one second users.   awarding the second voucher to each of at least one second users when the number of the plurality of second requests exceeds the second tipping threshold;   receiving the second payment for the at least one discounted items based on the awarding the second voucher.   
     
     
         42 . A server for providing at least one discounted item, the server comprising:
 one or more communication interfaces;   a processor coupled to one or more communication interfaces;   one or more software applications implemented by the processor, the software applications: (i) receive input regarding at least one discounted item provided by a merchant; (ii) calculates a first tipping threshold for the at least one discounted item provided by the merchant.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the software applications implemented by the processor, the software applications: (i) provide a web site for presenting the at least discounted one item; (ii) receive a plurality of first requests to purchase the at least one discounted item at a first discount by the server from each of at least one first users. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the software applications implemented by the processor, the software applications: (i) awarding a first voucher to each of at least one user when the number of the plurality of first requests exceeds the first tipping threshold; (ii) receive a first payment for the at least one discounted items based on the awarding the first voucher. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the software applications implemented by the processor, the software applications: (i) calculate the second tipping threshold for the at least one discounted item provided by the merchant; (ii) receive a plurality of second requests to purchase the at least one discounted item at a second discount by the server from each of at least one second users; (iii) award a second voucher to each of at least one second users when the number of the plurality of second requests exceeds a second tipping threshold; and (iv) receive a second payment for the at least one discounted items based on the awarding the second voucher. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the software applications implemented by the processor, the software applications determines a first percentage of the first payment by the operator of the server and a second percentage of the first payment by the operator of the server. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the software applications implemented by the processor, the software applications determines a first percentage of the second payment by the operator of the server and a second percentage of the second payment by the operator of the server. 
     
     
         48 . A method for providing at least one discounted item, the method comprising:
 providing a web site for presenting the at least discounted one item hosted by at least one server in communication with the network;   receiving a plurality of first requests to purchase the at least one discounted item at a first discount by the server from each of at least one first users;   awarding a first voucher to each of at least one first users when the number of the plurality of first requests exceeds a first tipping threshold;   receiving a first payment for the at least one discounted items based on the awarding the first voucher.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 receiving a plurality of second requests to purchase the at least one discounted item at a second discount by the server from each of at least one second users;   awarding a second voucher to each of at least one second users when the number of the plurality of second requests exceeds a second tipping threshold;   receiving a second payment for the at least one discounted items based on the awarding the second voucher.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 receiving input regarding at least one discounted item provided by a merchant; and   calculating the first tipping threshold for the at least one discounted item provided by the merchant.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising calculating the second tipping threshold for the at least one discounted item provided by the merchant. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising determining a first percentage of the first payment by the operator of the server and a second percentage of the first payment by the operator of the server. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising determining a first percentage of the second payment by the operator of the server and a second percentage of the second payment by the operator of the server.