AU2019101626A4

AU2019101626A4 - Online product review and referral

Info

Publication number: AU2019101626A4
Application number: AU2019101626A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Andrew Fraser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-22
Filing date: 2019-12-17
Publication date: 2020-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to an online review method for reviewing a product or service. The method involves electronically receiving a review from a buyer of the product or service. Further, the method involves electronically inviting a seller of the product or service to dispute the review when the review is unfavorable. The method also involves electronically posting the review responsive to the dispute being resolved either against the seller or for the buyer. Only justified unfavourable reviews are posted which protects sellers and provides buyers with more trust in the reviews. Another aspect provides an online referral method. Receive buyer product review Product review No unfavourable? Yes /208 Invite seller to dispute review Seller disputes No within period? Yes 212 Dispute Ye resolved against seller? No 214 220 Increment buyer's failed Increment seller's failed F dispute tally dispute tally Sanction buyer when failed Sanction seller when failed dispute tally unacceptable dispute tally unacceptable Discard unfavourable Post review and unjustified review P e FiuEND Figure 2

Description

[0001] The present invention generally relates to online product review and referral.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Online product reviews are influential in affecting a buyer’s decision. Undesirably, unfavourable online reviews can be extremely damaging to the online sales of a product, no matter how unjustified.

[0004] A buyer can hastily post an unfavourable product review. Once the buyer’s concern is addressed by the seller, the buyer is typically unable to remove the permanent review which continues to cause detriment to the seller. For example, some buyers have been known to post unfavourable reviews of a product, when it is actually another product that they have bought.

[0005] Product review websites exist but have their own drawbacks. One website acts unscrupulously by encouraging unfavourable product reviews, and then leveraging sellers for payment to have the unfavourable reviews removed. This website also devalues the value of online reviews and erodes the trust of the buyer.

[0006] The preferred embodiment protects sellers from unjustified unfavourable reviews and provides buyers with more trust in the reviews.

[0007] Another website encourages reviews from buyers. In reality, unfavourable reviews are often readily posted, whereas satisfied buyers rarely provide favourable reviews so that the overall effect is a negative skewing of the reviews.

[0008] The preferred embodiment provides for a more even balance of posted reviews.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an online review method for reviewing a product or service, the method involving:

receiving a review from a buyer of the product or service;

inviting a seller of the product or service to dispute the review when the review is unfavorable; and posting the review responsive to the dispute being resolved either against the seller or for the buyer.

[00010] Advantageously, only justified unfavourable reviews are posted which protects the sellers and provides buyers with more trust in the reviews.

[00011] The method may involve discarding the review responsive to the dispute being resolved for the seller or against the buyer. The method may involve keeping a tally of failed disputes of the buyer and seller. The method may involve sanctioning the buyer or seller. The buyer or seller may be sanctioned based upon the failed disputes. The sanctioning may involve inhibiting the buyer from providing the review to their followers or buying further products from seller(s) or inhibiting the seller from selling.

[00012] The review may include a rating and the step of inviting the seller to request a review of the review may be instigated when the rating is below a rating threshold. The method may involve the seller initiating the dispute. The step of initiating may involve making payment and/or providing relevant information to the review. The method may involve posting the review when the dispute is not initiated within a dispute period.

[00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an online review tool configured to:

receive a review from a buyer of the product or service;

invite a seller of the product or service to dispute the review when the review is unfavorable; and post the review responsive to the dispute being resolved either against the seller or for the buyer.

2019101626 17 Dec 2019 [00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an online referral method involving:

receiving a review of a product or service from an influencer;

referring the review to followers of the influencer; and providing a reward to the influencer responsive to one or more of the followers buying the product or service.

[00015] Advantageously, the influencer is rewarded for providing the review, whether the review is favourable or unfavourable, thereby providing for a more even balance of posted reviews to the followers that trust the influencer.

[00016] The review may include an offer to buy the product or service. The reward may be a monetary kickback. The method may involve a seller of the product or service determining the kickback. The method may further involve directing the reward to another party instead of the influencer or the buyer.

[00017] The influencer may be a buyer of the product or service. The method may involve sending to the influencer an invitation to provide the review. The invitation may include an incentive.

[00018] The method may involve repeating the foregoing steps for each of the followers that became buyers.

[00019] The created review may be unfavourable and only provided to the followers responsive to a review dispute being resolved either against a seller of the product or service or for the influencer.

[00020] The method may involve the buyer sorting product or service reviews of another product or service. The reviews may be sorted in reverse chronological order or rating. The reviews may be sorted with reviews from the buyer’s followers appearing before reviews from others. The method also involves filtering in or out categories of products, influencers or sellers to assist the influencer or buyer in search of new products or services to buy. The method may involve suggesting new followers to the influencer. The method may involve displaying followers of the influencer.

2019101626 17 Dec 2019 [00021] The influencer may be associated with a web-presence including products or services they’ve reviewed, with links for other buyers to select to purchase the reviewed products or services.

[00022] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an online referral tool configured to:

receive a review of a product or service from an influencer;

refer the review to followers of the influencer; and provide a reward to the influencer responsive to one or more of the followers buying the product or service.

[00023] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00024] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in anyway. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00025] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a online review and referral system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00026] Figure 2 is a flowchart of an online product review method performed using the system of figure 1; and [00027] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an online referral method performed using the system of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an online review and referral system 100 as shown in Figure 1.

2019101626 17 Dec 2019 [00029] The system 100 includes an administration web server 102 hosting a review and referral website that is administered by an administrator 104. The system 100 also includes a buyer smart phone 106 of a buyer 108 of a product 110 (e.g. dress) who is also an influencer, a seller smart phone 112 of a seller 114 of the product 110, and follower smart phones 116 of followers 118 of the buyer 108 and that are influenced by the buyer 108 in their buying decisions. Each smartphone 106, 112, 116 is a computer in communication with the website over a network 120 including the Internet.

[00030] An online review method 200 for reviewing the product 110 using the system 100 and website to perform the electronic steps is now described below with reference to figure 2.

[00031] At step 202, the administration web server 102 receives a review from the buyer 108 of the product 110. The review is created on the website with the buyer’s smart phone 106. The review includes a star rating (e.g. five stars for excellence).

[00032] At query step 204, administration server 102 determines whether the review is unfavourable or favourable. An unfavourable review is determined when the star rating is below a rating threshold (e.g. three stars).

[00033] If the review is favourable, the favourable review is posted on the website at step 206 and sent to followers 118 of the buyer 108 with an offer to buy the product 110 as explained in detail later.

[00034] If the review is unfavourable, the review is withheld from posting and a dispute process is initiated.

[00035] At step 208, the administration server 102 invites the seller 114 of the product 110 to dispute the unfavourable review. In particular, the seller’s smart phone 112 receives details of the unfavourable review along with an invitation to pay a dispute fee to dispute the review within a dispute period (e.g. 24 hours).

[00036] At query step 210, the administration server 102 determines whether or not the seller 114 has disputed the unfavourable review within the dispute period. In particular, the seller 114 would use smart phone 112 to electronically pay the dispute fee and provide any relevant information surrounding the unfavourable review.

2019101626 17 Dec 2019 [00037] If the seller 114 does not dispute the unfavourable review within the dispute period, the unfavourable review is posted on the website at step 206 and sent to followers 118 of the buyer 108.

[00038] If the seller 114 does dispute the unfavourable review within the dispute period, the administrator 104 makes a determination as to whether or not the unfavourable review is justified based upon the review and any relevant information provided by the seller 114. The administration server 102 receives a determination from the administrator 104 that the unfavourable review is either justified whereby the dispute is resolved against the seller 114 (or for the buyer 108) or unjustified whereby the dispute is resolved for the seller 114 (or against the buyer 108).

[00039] At query step 212, the administration server 102 determines whether or not the dispute was resolved against or for the seller 114 using the received determination from the administrator 104.

[00040] If the dispute was resolved against the seller 114 (or for the buyer 108), the unfavourable review is posted on the website at step 206 and sent to followers 118 of the buyer 108.

[00041] If the dispute was resolved against the buyer 108 (or for the seller 114) whereby the unfavourable review was unjustified, action is taken against the buyer 108 at step 214.

[00042] At step 214, the administration server 102 increments a tally of failed disputes of the buyer 108.

[00043] At step 216, the administration server 102 sanctions the buyer 108 when the failed disputes exceed a dispute threshold (e.g. three failed disputes). The sanctioning can involve inhibiting the buyer 108 from providing reviews to their followers 118 or buying further products from the seller 114.

[00044] At step 218, the administration server 102 discards the unfavourable review, which was unjustified as it was resolved for the seller 114 or against the buyer 108.

2019101626 17 Dec 2019 [00045] Advantageously, only justified unfavourable reviews are posted which protects the sellers 114 and provides unwitting buyers 108 with more trust in the posted reviews owing to scrutiny.

[00046] An online review referral method 300 using the system 100 and website is now described below with reference to figure 3.

[00047] At step 302, administration server 102 e-mails to the buyer 108 an invitation to review of the product 110. The invitation can include an incentive to provide the review such as a discount on the current bought product 110 or future buying.

[00048] The incentive also includes a monetary kickback from sales made by followers 118 of the buyer 108. The seller 114 of the product 110 determines the kickback. For example, the kickback to the buyer 108 may amount to 5% of the sale price, a administration fee to be paid to the administrator 104 may amount to 5% of the sale price and the seller 114 may receive 90% of the sale price.

[00049] The buyer 108 can direct the kickback to another party (e.g. charity) instead of themselves.

[00050] At step 304, the administration server 102 receives the review of the product 110 from the buyer 108 who is an influencer with many followers 118 in the same manner as step 202 previously described. The buyer 108 creates the review on the website using smart phone 106. An unfavourable review can be disputed and resolved, before website posting and referring, as previously described with reference to Figure 2.

[00051] At step 306, when posting the review at step 206 as previously described, the administration server 102 refers the review via e-mail to followers 118 of the buyer 108. The referred review includes an offer to buy the product 110. Typically the offer includes a purchase discount.

[00052] At step 308, the administration server 102 receives electronic purchases for the product 110 by the followers 118 in accordance with the offer. The purchases include electronic payment of the product 110 and are collected in a pool.

2019101626 17 Dec 2019 [00053] At step 310, the administration server 102 provides the kickback to the buyer 108 for the followers 118 buying the product 110. Further the administration server 102 pays the administrator 104, and the seller 114 who then sends the product 110 to the buying followers 118.

[00054] Advantageously, the incentivized buyer 108 is rewarded for providing the review, whether the review is favourable or unfavourable, thereby providing for a more even balance of posted reviews to the followers 118 that trust the influencer.

[00055] The foregoing method 300 is then repeated for each of the followers 118 that became buyers 108.

[00056] The website has many options to assist a new buyer 108. The website enables the buyer 108 to sort product reviews of another product 110.

[00057] The method may involve the buyer sorting product reviews of another product in reverse chronological order (i.e. more recent reviews displayed first) or according to rating. The reviews from the buyer’s followers 118 may also appear before reviews from others. The website also enables filtering in or out categories of products, influencers 108 or sellers 114 to assist the buyer 108 in search of new products 110 to buy.

[00058] The website can also suggest new followers 118 to connect with the buyer 108 and can display existing followers 118 of the buyer 108.

[00059] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00060] The preferred embodiment was described with reference to the purchase of a product 110, but is also applicable to the purchase of services.

[00061] Between steps 212 and 206, the method 200 can also involve keeping a tally of failed disputes of the seller 114 who can be similarly sanctioned based upon the failed disputes. The sanctioning can involve inhibiting the seller 114 from further selling on the website. At step 220, the administration server 102 increments a tally of failed

2019101626 17 Dec 2019 disputes of the seller 114. At step 222, the administration server 102 sanctions the seller 114 when the failed disputes exceed a dispute threshold (e.g. three failed disputes).

[00062] In one embodiment, the buyer 108 has their own web-page of products they’re reviewed, with links for other buyers to select to purchase the reviewed products. In particular, the other buyers click a product photo, view the product and other reviews, and then buy. In this manner, each buyer 108 effectively has their own “marketplace and ecommerce webpage” to generate income using the referral method 300. The webpage can be promoted elsewhere e.g. their Facebook, instagram, emails etc using a link back to the webpage [00063] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00064] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An online review method for reviewing a product or service, the method involving electronically:

receiving a review from a buyer of the product or service;

inviting a seller of the product or service to dispute the review when the review is unfavorable; and posting the review responsive to the dispute being resolved either against the seller or for the buyer.
2. An online review method as claimed in claim 1, wherein only justified unfavourable reviews are posted which protects sellers and provides buyers with more trust in the reviews.
3. An online review method as claimed in claim 1, involving discarding the review responsive to the dispute being resolved for the seller or against the buyer.
4. An online review method as claimed in claim 1, involving keeping a tally of failed disputes of the buyer and seller.
5. An online review method as claimed in claim 4, involving sanctioning the buyer or seller.
6. An online review method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the buyer or seller is sanctioned based upon the failed disputes.
7. An online review method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sanctioning involves inhibiting the buyer from providing the review to their followers or buying further products from sellers or inhibiting the seller from selling.
8. An online review method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the review includes a rating and the step of inviting the seller to dispute the review is instigated when the rating is below a rating threshold.
9. An online review method as claimed in claim 8, involving the seller initiating the dispute.

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10. An online review method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of initiating involves making payment and/or providing relevant information to the review.
11. An online review method as claimed in claim 9, involving posting the review when the dispute is not initiated within a dispute period.
12. An online review tool electronically configured to:

receive a review from a buyer of the product or service;

invite a seller of the product or service to dispute the review when the review is unfavorable; and post the review responsive to the dispute being resolved either against the seller or for the buyer.
13. An online referral method involving electronically:

receiving a review of a product or service from an influencer;

referring the review to followers of the influencer; and providing a reward to the influencer responsive to one or more of the followers buying the product or service.
14. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the influencer is rewarded for providing the review, whether the review is favourable or unfavourable, thereby providing for a more even balance of posted reviews to the followers that trust the influencer.
15. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the review includes an offer to buy the product or service.
16. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reward includes a monetary kickback.
17. An online referral method as claimed in claim 16, involving a seller of the product or service determining the kickback.
18. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, further involving directing the reward to another party instead of the influencer or the buyer.

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19. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the influencer is a buyer of the product or service.
20. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, involving sending to the influencer an invitation to provide the review.
21. An online referral method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the invitation includes an incentive.
22. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, involving repeating the foregoing steps for each follower that becomes a buyer.
23. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the created review is unfavourable and only provided to the followers responsive to a review dispute being resolved either against a seller of the product or service or for the influencer.
24. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, involving the buyer sorting product or service reviews of another product or service.
25. An online referral method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the reviews are sorted in reverse chronological order or rating.
26. An online referral method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the reviews are sorted with reviews from the buyer’s followers appearing before reviews from others.
27. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, involving filtering in or out categories of products, influencers or sellers to assist the influencer or buyer in search of new products or services to buy.
28. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, involving suggesting new followers to the influencer.
29. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, involving displaying followers of the influencer.

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30. An online referral method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the influencer is associated with a web-presence including products or services they’ve reviewed, with links for other buyers to select to purchase the reviewed products or services.
31. An online referral tool electronically configured to:

receive a review of a product or service from an influencer;

refer the review to followers of the influencer; and provide a reward to the influencer responsive to one or more of the followers buying the product or service.