| Vehicle lead generation system using byer criteria -> Monitor Keywords |
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Vehicle lead generation system using byer criteriaRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, Or Cost/price Determination, Automated Electrical Financial Or Business Practice Or Management ArrangementVehicle lead generation system using byer criteria description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060129423, Vehicle lead generation system using byer criteria. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/640,852 filed Aug. 14, 2003, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/403,272, filed on Aug. 14, 2002, which are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a system for generating leads for the sale of vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for generating leads by determining an offer price for a vehicle using historical data, such as wholesale sales that occur at vehicle auctions and dealerships, and dealer selected buyer criteria. Even more particularly, the invention relates to an online system for generating leads by determining an offer price for a vehicle using this information. BACKGROUND [0003] In order to acquire a new vehicle, the consumer who intends to dispose of their current vehicle must complete at least three major processes. These operations can either be performed online, in the traditional fashion at the dealership, or through a combination of both the online and traditional settings. [0004] For example, if the consumer is using the Internet to complete these operations, then they are completed as follows. The consumer first selects the new vehicle, either by browsing through the inventory of vehicles that the dealer currently has on hand, or by using configuration software to select the vehicle and the various options desired. Next, the consumer determines the value of the vehicle that he or she is currently driving, and ascertains how or if the value derived from that vehicle will contribute to the acquisition of the new vehicle. Finally the consumer considers how he/she will pay for or finance the remainder, once the value of the current vehicle is subtracted from the cost of the new one. [0005] Each of these steps needs to be completed in order for the consumer to acquire a replacement vehicle. The steps do not necessarily have to be performed in a serial fashion, and thus, some customers will first ascertain how much their trade-in is worth, while others will want to understand if their credit rating is adequate for them to finance a new vehicle. Most consumers will select the new vehicle first, and will generally do that by accessing a Web site operated by an vehicle manufacturer, an portal, and/or a franchised dealer close to their home or place of work. [0006] A number of systems exist in the prior art for determining the value of a used automobile. A number of these prior art systems also allow for this valuation to be conducted over the Internet. Examples include the National Automobile Dealers' Association ("NADA."), which allows users to determine the value of a used vehicle through their Web site at www.nadaguides.com; and the Kelley Blue Book, which allows consumers to determine the value of a used car through their Web site at www.kbb.com. [0007] However, these sites do not allow the consumer to obtain an actual offer on a vehicle from a dealer. As a result, other systems have been developed in the prior art that allow the consumer to obtain an actual offer for their used vehicle over the Internet using an interactive Web site. For example, one such site can be found at www.buyfigure.com. In order to obtain a price offer using this system, the consumer enters the VIN number for a particular vehicle and completes a questionnaire. This information is then submitted to the BuyFigure Web site where a price is determined for the vehicle. This price is returned to the user in the form of a demand certificate. This demand certificate can be used to sell the vehicle to any dealer that is franchised in the BuyFigure system. [0008] Unfortunately, such systems have the significant disadvantage that they do not allow the dealer to customize an offer for the vehicle based upon dealer designated buying criteria. This is a significant disadvantage, since particular dealers may want to adjust their offer price based upon factors that are of importance to them specifically. Moreover, such sites do not refer the consumer (and generate leads) from the dealer's own Web site. This is a significant disadvantage as such systems can not readily be used as a lead generating engine for specific participating dealers. [0009] Accordingly, a system is needed that serves both the consumer and the automobile dealer; and which enables a dealership to ascertain the actual wholesale value of the vehicle and to alter the offer price or other estimated value based upon the dealer's current buying criteria. The system may also enable consumers who are seeking to part with their current vehicle to secure a firm offer from a participating dealer, who is willing to purchase the vehicle. The system is preferably accessible via the Internet, served to the user via an existing Web site operated by the dealer or an automotive portal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Embodiments of the invention may incorporate a system for generating leads for the sale of vehicles. This may include a system for generating leads for the sale of a vehicle by determining an offer price by a buyer, typically a dealer, for a vehicle for sale by a seller, typically a consumer. The system is preferably accessed by the seller over the Internet, such as through the use of an interactive dealer Web site, but may also be used locally, such as by a customer and/or dealer in a dealer showroom. [0011] The invention is preferably engaged when a consumer decides to obtain an offer for the value for a vehicle from a dealer. The value of the vehicle and/or a dealer's offer can be used as a credit toward the purchase of another vehicle. Through a connection to the Internet, the consumer can use a browser to access a local or remote Internet Web site and interact with the system. After supplying the necessary information, the consumer will receive an offer from the dealer that may be used in buying or trading-in the vehicle. This offer may take the form, for example, of a demand certificate, an appraisal report, an estimated value, and/or an estimated value range. [0012] This may preferably be accomplished through the use of a series of forms that are provided by the user interface to the Web site. The information provided by the consumer is then preferably stored in a data source, although this is not required. A data source interface, which is in communication with the user interface and the data source, can then use this information to determine the current value of the vehicle. The data source interface can also access historical data, such as wholesale sales that occur at vehicle auctions and dealerships, and dealer specified buying criteria is preferably stored in a dealer profile if in the data source. This information can be used to generate the offer for the vehicle, which can then be refined by using specific buying criteria before being sent to the consumer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The foregoing and other aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: [0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention used over the Internet; [0015] FIGS. 2(a)-(f), 3(a)-(g), and 4(a)-(e) are computer screen shots of preferred embodiments of Web page forms for submitting vehicle identification and condition information in accordance with the system of the invention; [0016] FIGS. 2(g), 3(h), and 4(f) are computer screen shots of preferred embodiments of a Web page form for submitting seller identifying information in accordance with the system of the invention; [0017] FIG. 2(h) is a computer screen shot of a preferred embodiment of a Web page demand certificate in accordance with the system of the invention. [0018] FIGS. 3(g) and 4(i) are computer screen shots of a preferred embodiment of a Web page estimated value in accordance with the system of the invention. [0019] FIGS. 3(h) and 4(j) are computer screen shots of a preferred embodiment of an email-based appraisal report in accordance with the system of the invention. Continue reading about Vehicle lead generation system using byer criteria... Full patent description for Vehicle lead generation system using byer criteria Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Vehicle lead generation system using byer criteria patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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