WO2007002650A2

WO2007002650A2 - System and method for distribution of wholesale goods

Info

Publication number: WO2007002650A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/024936
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wess Eric Sharpe
Original assignee: Namx, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-06-27
Filing date: 2006-06-27
Publication date: 2007-01-04
Also published as: WO2007002684A1; WO2007002759A3; WO2007035195A3; WO2007002754A3; WO2007002624A2; WO2007002680A3; WO2007002680A2; WO2007035195A2; WO2007002624A3; WO2007002650A3; WO2007035195A9; WO2007002754A2; WO2007002759A2

Abstract

A system and method are provided for distribution of tangible goods such as vehicles. The system includes a computer system that establishes both an electronic wholesale marketplace for the goods and an electronic freight marketplace for the goods. Dealers and other market participants are able to offer goods for sale in the wholesale marketplace from their local inventory to other dealers and to purchase goods in transactions with other dealers from those dealers' local inventories. After purchase, a contract for transport of the goods is offered for acceptance to freight haulers in the freight marketplace. The integration of the two marketplaces improves the wholesale marketplace by creating an efficient and effective market with total price transparency, greater certainty on delivery costs and times and improves the freight marketplace by facilitating more efficient freight transfer.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTION OF WHOLESALE GOODS

[001] This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/694,318 filed on June 27, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[002] Further, the following co-pending and commonly-assigned PCT Patent Applications which designate among other countries, the United States, have been filed on the same day as the present application. Each of these applications relate to and further describe various aspects of the embodiments disclosed in the present application, as well as the above-referenced Provisional Application. Consequently, the contents of each of the following patent applications are hereby incorporated herein, by reference, in their entireties, in the present application: (1) "System and Method for Tangible Good Valuation," filed on June 27, 2006, listing Wess Eric Sharpe and Eric

Burton Schorvitz as Inventors, and accorded U.S. Application No. , PCT

Application No. ; (2) "System and Method for Inventory Control," filed on

June 27, 2006, listing Wess Eric Sharpe and Eric Burton Schorvitz as Inventors, and accorded U.S. Application No. , PCT Application No. ; (3)

"System and Method for Facilitating the Sale of a Tangible Good Through an Auction Process," filed on June 27, 2006, listing Wess Eric Sharpe as the Inventor, and accorded U.S. Application No. , PCT Application No. _; (4)

"System and Method for Controlling Dealer/Consumer Interaction," filed on June 27, 2006, listing Wess Eric Sharpe as the Inventor, and accorded U.S. Application No. , PCT Application No. _.; and (5) "System and Method for

Control, Distribution and Purchase of Wholesale Goods and Related Interactions," filed on June 27, 2006, listing Wess Eric Sharpe and Eric Burton Schorvitz as Inventors, and accorded U.S. Application No. , PCT Application No. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[003] This invention relates to the distribution of wholesale goods and, in particular, to a system and method for integrating wholesale and freight markets to improve distribution of goods. 2. Discussion of Related Art

[004] Inefficient distribution has been a long-standing problem for many types of goods. This problem is particularly acute with respect to vehicles. The number of possible configurations for a specific year, make and model based on available colors, various options, and various configurations is more often than not greater than a billion. Conversely, vehicle dealers can stock only a small percentage of the configurations given space and cost constraints on maintaining inventory. The relatively small local inventory of a vehicle dealer relative to the numerous possible vehicle configurations makes it highly unlikely that the dealer will be able to offer the exact vehicle desired by a customer. Local inventories of used vehicles have an even lower probability of meeting actual consumer demands given additional variables such as mileage, cosmetic condition, etc. Dealers and consumers therefore often settle on a less than perfect new or used vehicle transaction reducing sales, consumer satisfaction, prices and profits and requiring increasing incentives while also creating a high pressure sale process disliked by consumers. The depreciation in dealer to consumer sale prices of used vehicles also affects the amount dealers are willing to pay consumers on trade-ins of used vehicles, further decreasing the consumer's purchasing power for new vehicles sales and creating an unfortunate cycle of depreciation.

[005] In addition to sales price and profits, the inability to match consumer demand with inventory harms financing operations because it (i) reduces the amount individuals are willing to pay up-front and in monthly payments; and (ii) makes it even more difficult to match low credit buyers with appropriate vehicles. Further, the inefficient distribution of vehicles also has negative effects on the freight transportation industry. In particular, freight carriers are not provided with information sufficient to optimize freight transport and many transporters waste significant resources. [006] A variety of solutions have been considered to make vehicle distribution more efficient. At the manufacturing level, build to order and late customization of orders have been attempted. In addition to their relative ineffectiveness, these efforts are unrealistic given other factors that require advance planning for optimal use of manufacturing assets and low cost production. Further, manufacturing level solutions such as these actually increase vehicle costs given requirements for parts storage and movement away from lean manufacturing. [007] Several e-commerce based systems for improving product distribution have also been proposed or attempted. Some systems — such as direct order manufacturing- would eliminate the dealer network. Dealers, however, provide important functions such as distribution of information and product, trade-in opportunities, indirect financing, and servicing and also provide a face to face relationship that is an important aspect of the retail sale of goods such as vehicles.

[008] One existing e-commerce based system that leverages the existing dealer structure for improved distribution of new vehicles is the electronic dealer trade system developed by vehicle manufacturers. Using this system, dealers can locate vehicles at other dealers (or in production for, or transit to, other dealers) and initiate a trade. Dealer trade systems, however, are disadvantageous because they consume significant time of the dealer that may turn out to be a wasted effort — there is no certainty the dealer will be able to obtain the vehicle they have located, much less at a desired price (no price mechanism exists in the dealer trade system). Arranging trades can also be difficult because one dealer (the dealer with the vehicle) is typically in a much better negotiating position than the other dealer (the dealer who wants the vehicle). The dealer looking to make a trade also does not have an easy mechanism for identifying the dealer that will offer the greatest possible return. Finally, even if a trade is consummated, the dealers must spend additional time arranging for freight transportation.

[009] For used vehicles, auctions have provided improved distribution not only between dealers, but also between dealers and remarketers (e.g., corporate and government fleets, rental car companies, etc.). Physical auctions bring more buyers and sellers together for increased value, but are disadvantageous because they require transportation and storage of product (time and cost) and active participation of buyers and sellers (travel time and cost). Further, physical auctions often fail to convey adequate product information to enable buyer confidence and still significantly limit the pool of available participants.

[0010] Recent auction improvements include the use of internet video to bring more buyers and reduce participant costs. More significantly, several auctioneers and remarketers have developed or implemented e-commerce based systems for used vehicle wholesaling such as Manheim Online (www.manheim.com), ATC (www. autotradecenter. com), Adesa (www.adesa.com^') and General Motors (www.gmonlineauctions.com). Car manufacturers have also adopted electronic systems for wholesaling used vehicles to their dealers and allowing dealers to exchange used vehicles. The limited number of participants in these systems, however, fails to optimize value. Further, these systems also do not integrate freight delivery resulting in buyer uncertainty regarding delivery costs and timing. The inability to guarantee freight cost and delivery in these systems creates uncertainty thereby decreasing potential sales, satisfaction, and profits.

[0011] The inventors herein have recognized a need for a system and method for distribution of tangible goods that will minimize and/or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention provides a system and a method for distribution of tangible goods.

[0013] A system for distribution of tangible goods in accordance with the present invention includes a computer system that is configured to establish an electronic wholesale marketplace for the tangible goods. Within the wholesale marketplace, a first dealer of the tangible goods can offer a first good for sale to other dealers of the tangible goods from a local inventory of the first dealer. The first dealer can also purchase a second good in a transaction with a second dealer of the tangible goods from a local inventory of the second dealer. The computer system is further configured to establish an electronic freight marketplace for the tangible goods. Within the freight marketplace, a contract for transport of the second good between first and second locations is offered for acceptance to a plurality of freight haulers of the tangible goods. [0014] Similarly, a method for distribution of tangible goods in accordance with the present invention includes the step of establishing an electronic wholesale marketplace for the tangible goods. Within the marketplace, a first dealer of the tangible goods can offer a first good for sale to other dealers of the tangible goods from a local inventory of the first dealer and can purchase a second good in a transaction with a second dealer of the tangible goods from a local inventory of the second dealer. The method further includes the step of establishing an electronic freight marketplace for the tangible goods -S-

in which a contract for transport of the second good between first and second locations is offered for acceptance to a plurality of freight haulers of the tangible goods. [0015] A system and method for the distribution of tangible goods in accordance with the present invention represents a significant improvement relative to conventional distribution systems and methods. In establishing the electronic wholesale marketplace, the inventive system and method enables dealers to leverage the inventories of other dealers in making sales to retail customers. The ability to leverage these inventories provides a significantly greater chance that the dealer will be able to provide the identical good desired by the customer thereby increasing customer satisfaction, purchase price and profits and relieving inventory pressure. The establishment and integration of the freight marketplace further enables a determination of delivery times and costs prior to the transaction and with substantial accuracy. The inventive system and method therefore reduce buyer uncertainty. Moreover, freight transportation arrangements are handled automatically without the need for the parties to the transaction to invest time and effort on transportation logistics. [0016] These and other advantages of this invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrating features of this invention by way of example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system for distribution of tangible goods in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a component of the system of Figure 1.

[0019] Figures 3-13 are screen displays illustrating the operation of a system and method in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] Figure 14 is a flow chart diagram illustrating a portion of the operation of a system and method in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] Figures 15-18 are screen displays illustrating the operation of a system and method in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views, Figure 1 illustrates a system 20 for distribution of tangible goods in accordance with the present invention. System 20 is particularly adapted for use in distributing types of goods that are tangible (i.e., have a physical structure) and in which each of the goods is unique in some way. In particular, system 20 is adapted for use in distributing vehicles such as automobiles. Vehicles are unique in that each vehicle has a unique vehicle identification number (VIN) that allows information about the vehicle (e.g., prior repair history, ownership history, etc.) to be tracked. Although system 20 is particularly adapted for these types of goods, however, it should be understood that system 20 may be used for distribution of a wide variety of tangible goods.

[0023] System 20 includes a computer system 22 or central computing architecture. System 22 includes one or more microprocessors configured in accordance with the present invention by programming instructions (i.e., software) to perform one or more of the functions described herein. In particular, system 22 establishes an electronic wholesale marketplace for a type of tangible good in which wholesalers can sell and purchase the goods and further establishes an electronic freight marketplace for the goods in which freight haulers can accept contracts for the transport of the purchased goods. In this connection, system 22 is designed to allow a variety of participants to interact with the wholesale marketplace and the freight marketplace including dealers 24, remarketers 26 (e.g., in the case of vehicles, rental car companies, corporate and government fleet owners, leasing institutions, etc.), freight haulers 28, manufacturers 30, financial institutions 32, and third party product and service providers 34 (e.g., third party inspection services, storage and distribution services, auctioneers, information providers, etc.). The number and type of marketplace participants — and the type of interaction of those participants with the marketplaces—will vary depending upon the type of good and other factors. System 22 will also assume a wide variety of computing configurations depending on the type of good and other factors (e.g., type of marketplace participants). As such, system 22 may include a plurality of computing devices arranged in one or more of a plurality of known computing architectures. System 22 may, for example, include servers, such as servers 36, 38, 40 and may include one or more supercomputers 42.

[0024] As used herein, the term "server" refers to a computing device coupled to a network and configured by programming instructions (i.e., software) to provide services to other computing devices (including other servers). Referring to Figure 2, the architecture of each server 36, 38, 40 may be described as a series of layers including an operating system layer 44, a database layer 46, an application layer 48 and an interface layer 50.

[0025] The operating system layer 44 of each server 36, 38, 40 may include a conventional operating system such as one of the operating systems sold under the registered trademark "WINDOWS®" available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington. It should be understood, however, that other conventional operating systems such as those based on the Linux or UNIX operating systems or operating systems for the Apple computer system (e.g. OS X) may alternatively be used.

[0026] The database layer 46 is configured to provide a static and dynamic contact structure for each server 36, 38, 40. Database layer 46 is used to provide both intermediate information while each server 36, 38, 40 executes operations and long- term storage of data. Database layer 46 may employ a database management system (DBMS) such as the DMBS sold under the trademark "SQL SERVER" by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington.

[0027] The application layer 48 is configured to communicate with and between database layer 46 and interface layer 50 and configures the server 36, 38, 40 to perform the functions described in greater detail hereinafter. Application layer 48 may be implemented using conventional software development components and may further include a combination of JavaScript, VB Script and ASP (Active Server Pages) and other conventional software components to provide required functionality. [0028] Interface layer 50 provides a graphical and communications interface between the servers 36, 38, 40 and between the servers 36, 38, 40 and supercomputers 42 and the computing devices used by dealers, remarketers, freight haulers, financial institutions and third party service providers. Interface layer 50 may be configured to be extensible Markup Language (XML) or Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) compliant.

[0029] Referring again to Figure 1, servers 36 may comprise web servers or application servers running application server software (and/or a combination of the two). Servers 38 may comprise database servers running database server software that provides database related services—including access, retrieval from, and storage to databases 52--to servers 36, 40 and supercomputer 42.

[0030] The information stored in databases 52 will vary depending on factors such as the good and the marketplace participants. In the case where the good is a vehicle, databases 52 may include information relating to the market participants. For example, databases 52 may store information about each participant such as business entity information (name, addresses, identification information, SIC classification, etc.), contact information (identification of primary contacts and their titles, phone numbers, email addresses, etc.) authentication information, relationships (e.g. linking dealers by a shared characteristic such as common ownership), controls on marketplace participation (defined by the dealers 24 themselves or by manufacturers 30, financial institutions 32, etc.), licenses, insurance coverage, etc. Databases 52 may also include valuation information used in valuation of the goods. For example, databases 52 may include information regarding specifications for the goods and each dealer's labor rate for repair of the goods (flat rate based on type of repair or time-based (hourly) rates) to assist in providing a proper valuation, and estimated time for repairing predefined defects in the goods (e.g., a cracked windshield in a vehicle). Databases 52 may also include information about previous marketplace transactions for each good. The above examples of the type of information stored in databases 52 are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather illustrative. It will be evident from the subsequent description that databases 52 will hold a wide variety of information for use by system 22. [0031] Servers 40 and supercomputer 42 may be used to provide distributed computational resources within system 22 and to perform intensive computational and processing functions. Supercomputer 42 may comprise a computing device including a plurality of microprocessors configured to engage in parallel processing such as those offered for sale by IBM Corp or Cray, Inc.

[0032] Servers 40 and supercomputers 42 may be arranged in any of plurality of distributed computing architectures such as a two-tier (client-server) computing architecture, or a multi-tier (n-tier) computing architecture, or a grid computing architecture or a peer-to-peer computing architecture. Servers 36, 38, 40, or other servers (not shown) may also perform conventional distributed computing functions such as load balancing among the servers 36, 38, 40. [0033] Servers 36, 38, 40 and supercomputers 42 communicate with one another over a telecommunications network 54. Network 54 may, for example, comprise a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) and may comprise an intranet or an extranet and may utilize the public internet. An enterprise service bus (ESB) may be used to control communications (including messaging and routing) over network 54 between servers 36, 38, 40 and supercomputers 42.

[0034] The marketplace participants—including dealers 24, remarketers 26, freight haulers 28, manufacturers 30, financial institutions 32 and third party product and service providers 34~will use a variety of computing devices to connect to system 22 over a telecommunications network 56. These devices may include, for example, local servers 58, wireless access points (WAPs) 60 and personal computers 62 such as desktop or laptop computers and handheld computers such as personal digital assistants (PDAs). Network 56 preferably includes the public internet and may include both wired and wireless networks. For example, freight haulers 28 or other market participants that may be located remotely from wired computers or sites may invoke cellular, satellite or other wireless technologies as part of network to enable communication of their computing devices with system 22.

[0035] Servers 58 may comprise webs servers or application servers or a combined web/application server. Servers 58 may provide a variety of functions depending on the application. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, however, servers 58 may be configured to communicate with an inventory management system 64 for a dealer 24 of tangible goods (e.g., a vehicle dealer's DMS system) for inventory control. Server 58 may receive information pertaining to the dealer's inventory from system 64 and provide it to computer system 12.

[0036] Wireless access points (WAPs) 60 are provided to enable communication between wireless computing and communication devices and may comprise conventional structures known in the art. For example, WAPs 60 may be used to allow inspectors to inspect the goods located at dealerships (e.g. outside storage lots) or other locations lacking access to a wired network and to send information to and receive information from system 22.

[0037] Personal computers 62 are provided to perform a wide variety of functions, many of which are described hereinafter, depending on the market participant. Personal computers 62 may function as client in a client-server configuration with servers 36, 38, 40 of system 22. In particular, computers 62 may run client software to access system 22 such as an internet browser (in the case of a web-based application) or a customized graphical user interface.

[0038] Servers 58, WAPs 60 and computers 62 may communicate with one another at a market participant's location or locations over a private telecommunications network 66 such as a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Servers 58, WAPs 60 and computers 62 may further communicate with system 22 through network 56. Again, an enterprise service bus (ESB) may be used to control communications (including messaging and routing) over network 56 between servers 58, WAPs 60 and computers 62 and system 22.

[0039] In accordance with the present invention system 22 is configured to establish an electronic wholesale market in which a dealers 24 of tangible goods can offer goods for sale to other dealers 24 of the goods from local inventories and can purchase goods in transactions with other dealers 24 of the goods from local inventories of the other dealers 24. By establishing the electronic wholesale market, system 22 enables dealers to leverage the inventories of other dealers 24 in making sales to retail customers. The ability to leverage these inventories provides a significantly greater chance that the dealer 24 will be able to provide the identical good desired by the customer thereby increasing customer satisfaction, purchase price and profits and reducing inventory pressure on the dealers 24.

[0040] System 22 is further configured to establish an electronic freight marketplace for the goods in which contracts for transport of purchased goods between locations are offered for acceptance to freight haulers 28 of the goods. The integration of the electronic freight marketplace with the electronic wholesale marketplace is significant. By integrating the two marketplaces, system 22 is able to provide accurate information on delivery times and costs for purchase of goods in the wholesale marketplace prior to transactions in the wholesale marketplace thereby facilitating sales in the wholesale marketplace. Further, freight haulers 28 are better able to identify available freight for transport and reduce inefficiencies (e.g., less than full loads). These are just some of the advantages that will be apparent from the description hereinafter. [0041] Goods may be entered into the electronic wholesale marketplace by a variety of market participants. In the case of vehicles, vehicle dealers 24 are likely to be the primary source for goods entered into the marketplace. System 12 is therefore configured to receive a set of information regarding the good from the dealer 24. This information may, for example, include a unique identifier for the good (e.g., VIN) and a price for the good.

[0042] Referring to Figure 3, a dealer 24 may enter goods through an interface 68 on one of computers 62. Interface 68 may be generated using client software (either in the form of a web browser or a customized software program) retrieving information from system 22 as well as local server 58 and/or inventory management system 64. Upon initialization, interface 68 may generate the screen display 70 shown in Figure 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. On the left hand side of the illustrative screen display 70, a summary 72 of messages from electronic mail programs or other sources may be provided with electronic links to those messages. A subset 74 of the messages may be displayed in greater detail at the bottom of display 70 organized in any of a variety of ways (time, category, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, information regarding the sender, subject, and time received is displayed. Subset 74 may also include electronic links to the identified messages. Interface 6$ further includes buttons, icons, or other graphical elements including electronic links 76, 78, that enable the market participant to initiate the process of entering a good into the wholesale marketplace and purchasing a good in the wholesale marketplace. Actuating either link 76, 78, generates another screen display.

[0043] Referring to Figure 4, actuating the "SELL" link 76 may result in generation of screen display 80. From display 80, a dealer 24 may begin the process of entering a good — in this case a vehicle — from its local inventory into the electronic wholesale marketplace. In the illustrated example, display 80 displays information about a plurality of vehicles. In particular, display 80 may display the source 82 of the good (e.g., when multiple local inventories are involved), an inventory identifier 84, a vehicle identification number 86, the year 88, model 90, and options 92 associated with the vehicle, the age 94 of the good (i.e., the length of time in local inventory or the age of the good itself) and information such as a valuation 96 of the good, program generated recommendations 98 for inventory management, and market indexes 100 useful to the dealer 24 in determining whether to enter the good into the wholesale marketplace. The content and organization of display 80 may be determined by criteria previously entered by the dealer 24. For example, display 80 may display all goods in all inventories or a subset of those goods (e.g., all goods in one local inventory, all goods manufactured during a selected timeframe, all goods for which sales are recommended, etc.) Each line of the display 80 may include an electronic link to enable selection of the good.

[0044] Referring now to Figure 5, selection of a good may result in generation of screen display 102. Display 102 provides a variety of information relating to the selected good for use in deciding whether to enter the good into the wholesale marketplace and for pricing the good within the wholesale marketplace. In the case of vehicles, the information may include a photograph 104 of the vehicle or video of the vehicle, and information 106 about the options on the vehicle including current valuations for the vehicle and options. Additional information on the options (e.g., what features are contained within an option package) may be obtained by selecting the option on the display screen 102 which actuates an electronic link to the information. The information may further include data on market activity relative to the good. [0045] Based on the information available to the dealer 24, the dealer 24 submits an asking price 108 (or "spot price") for the good in the marketplace. Upon acceptance of the asking price 108 by another dealer 24, the good is automatically sold in the wholesale marketplace as described hereinafter. The dealer 24 may also establish an acceptance price 108 and a floor price 110. The acceptance price 108 is a price below the asking price 106 that is not displayed to other market participants, but at which the offering dealer 24 will allow the transaction to automatically take place. The floor price 110 is a price below the acceptance price 108. Bids by other dealers 24 below the floor price 110 will not result in any action. Bids above the floor price 110 and below the acceptance price 108, however, will causes system 22 to generate a message to the offering dealer 24 and allow the offering dealer 24 to initiate negotiations towards a transaction. The acceptance price 108 and floor price 110 may be set individually by the dealer 24. Alternatively, system 22 may derive and adjust the acceptance price 108 and floor price 110 responsive to input or changes in the asking price 106 based on information provided by the dealer 24. For example, the dealer 24 may provide information through which the acceptance and floor prices 108, 110 are set at specific percentages of the asking price 106 or specific dollar amounts less than the asking price 106.

[0046] System 22 may also be configured to automatically adjust any of the asking price 106, acceptance price 108, and floor price 110. For example, system 22 may implement a "valuation tracking" option in which system 22 maintains the asking price 106 for the good at a certain value relative to valuation of the good as determined by system 22. System 22 may adjust the asking price 106 relative to the valuation in absolute terms (e.g., a percentage or dollar amount relative to valuation) or in relative terms (e.g., maintaining a set difference between market value and the asking price 106 based on the difference at market entry). System 22 may also implement an "age tracking" option in which system 22 reduces the asking price 106 (and/or other prices 108, 110) by a predetermined amount entered after a predetermined time in the marketplace. The amount of the reduction and the time may be set by the dealer 24. It should be understood that the "valuation tracking" and "age tracking" options are illustrative only. System 22 can be configured to adjust any of the asking, acceptance and floor prices 106, 108, 110 automatically based on a wide variety of information including market indexes and dealer inventory management information. System 22 may also be configured to receive controls or limits on automated pricing input by the dealer 24 to limit potential price variation.

[0047] Referring now to Figure 6, once the dealer 24 has set the price 106 for the good in the marketplace, system 22 may generate a screen display 112. Screen display 112 summarizes the information input by the dealer 24 and allows the dealer 24 to make modify the inputs. In addition, system 22 may be configured to generate acceptance likelihood information 114 indicative of the likelihood of a sale of the good in response to the price of the good as set by the dealer 24 and to provide information 114 to dealer 24. As shown in Figure 6, information 114 may be expressed as a numerical value. Information 114 may be determined in response to the price set by the dealer as compared to prices paid in previous transactions for similar goods. In particular, system 22 may provide information 114 responsive to a valuation of the vehicle as determined by system 22, trends in valuation (i.e., is valuation trending upward or downward) and the rate of increase or decrease reflected in the valuation trend. System 22 may further be configured to receive a desired acceptance likelihood value from the dealer 24 and to adjust any of the asking, acceptance or floor prices 106, 108, 110 in response to the desired likelihood value using the same formula (but solving for different variables). After review of the information in display 112, the dealer may enter the vehicle in the marketplace by actuating a button or other icon on display 112 such as icon 116.

[0048] Referring now to Figure 7, upon entry of the good into the marketplace, system 20 may be configured to generate the screen display 118. Display 118 enables the dealer 24 to review information about the good in the wholesale marketplace. Through local server 58 and inventory management system 64, system 20 may further be configured to provide information regarding the retail marketplace, such as the prices set by the dealer 24 at its physical location (dealership) or on a website maintained by the dealer 24. Referring to Figure 8, system 22 may further be configured to provide information 120 about third party retail websites and pricing information for goods the dealer 24 is advertising through those websites.

[0049] Dealers 24 may enter new goods into the marketplace at their discretion. Dealers 24 may also enter used goods (e.g., trade-in vehicles) into the marketplace. As a precondition to the entry of a used good in the marketplace, however, system 22 may be configured to require an inspection of the used good. System 22 may therefore be configured to receive a request for inspection of a used good and to schedule the inspection. Upon a completed inspection, system 22 may be configured to allow the dealer 24 to enter the used good into the marketplace in a manner similar to the process set forth above for new goods. The definition of a new good and a used good will vary depending on the nature of the good and other factors. System 22 may be configured to implement criteria for identifying new and used goods based on the type of good (e.g., a "used vehicle" could be defined based on vehicle mileage or with reference to statutory definitions or based on assignment of title to the vehicle). [0050] System 22 may be configured to allow automated entry of goods from a dealer 24 into the marketplace. In particular, system 22 may be configured to automatically offer a good in the wholesale marketplace from a local inventory of a dealer 24 in response to predetermined criteria. System 22 monitors the local inventory of dealer 24 through local server 58 and inventory management system 64. The criteria used by system 22 may be set by the dealer 24. Exemplary criteria might include the age of the good (and particularly the age of the good in the dealer's local inventory) exceeding a predetermined threshold or the market valuation of the good, as determined by system 22, exceeding a predetermined threshold. The criteria may also be based on information obtained from the dealer's inventory management system 64 such as the number of goods in inventory. It should be understood that a variety of criteria may be used to control automated entry into the marketplace and the above list is exemplary only. In addition to market entry, system 22 may further be configured to automatically establish a price for a good in the marketplace in response to predetermined criteria. System 22 may maintain a set of information associated with the good and automatically set a price 106 of the good on entry or adjust a price 106 of the good in the wholesale marketplace in response to a change in the information. For example, system 22 may adjust the price 106 of the good in the wholesale marketplace responsive to changes in valuation of the good as determined by system 22. The price 106 may be set (and subsequently adjusted) at a set percentage or dollar value relative to the real time valuation determined by system 12. Prices 106 may also be set and adjusted relative to market indexes or other information.

[0051] System 22 may be further configured to implement controls on entry and pricing of goods in the wholesale marketplace by dealers 24. For example, system 22 may be configured to control entry and pricing of goods in the wholesale marketplace where sale of the vehicle would remove required security for the dealer's financial obligations. Referring to Figure 1, system 22 may be configured to receive a security balance indicative of an amount owed by a dealer 24 to a lender 32. The security balance may be received from the dealer 24 as an internal control. The security balance may alternatively be received from the lender 32. In particular, lenders and other financial institutions 32 may be given control within system 22 to submit or alter the security balance using computers 62 over network 56. Similarly, system 22 may be configured to receive an account balance indicative of an amount in an account of the dealer 24. This information may again be received from the dealer 24 or a lender or other financial institution 32. System 22 is further configured to prevent the dealer 24 from entering a good into the wholesale marketplace responsive to the security balance and/or the account balance. System 22 may prevent entry of the good into the marketplace at any price or may prevent entry of the good into the marketplace below a price limit determined in response to the security balance and/or account balance. For example, a dealer 24 may have a security balance of $11,000 and an account balance of $1,000. System 22 may prevent the dealer from pricing the good in the marketplace at less than $10,000 because the dealer 24 would not realize sufficient value to meet its financial obligations to the lender 32.

[0052] System 22 may also be configured to implement controls on entry and pricing of goods in the wholesale marketplace by dealers 24 in response to control set by manufacturers 30 or by the dealers 24 themselves. For example, either the manufacturer 30 or dealer 24 may prohibit entry of goods before the goods have aged a predetermined time in the local inventory of the dealer 24. It should be understood that a wide variety of controls could be established on both market entry and pricing. [0053] As discussed hereinabove, dealers 24 may enter both new and used goods into the wholesale marketplace. System 22 may be further configured, however, to enable dealers 24 to offer goods for sale prior to delivery of the goods to the dealer 24. The goods may include goods that are in transit to the dealer 24 and those that are on order from a manufacturer 30 of the goods. In the latter case, the purchasing dealer 24 may have the ability to customize the good prior to delivery to better meet the desires of a customer.

[0054] In addition to dealers 24, other wholesalers may enter goods into the wholesale market. In particular, system 22 may be configured to enable remarketers 26 of tangible goods to offer goods for sale to dealers 24 from a local inventory of the remarketer 26. In the case of vehicles, typical remarketers 26 would include rental car companies, government fleet operators and others. As with the dealers 24, system 22 may be further configured to allow remarketers 26 to offer goods for sale that have not yet been delivered (or returned) to the local inventory of the remarketer 26. System 22 may be configured to receive information about the good from the remarketer 26 including a date of availability for the good and to provide information including the date of availability in response to a request (e.g., a search) by a dealer 24. In one embodiment of the invention, a remarketer 26 may enter the following information for vehicles: (i) the year, make and model and option information, (ii) available colors, (iii) the quantity of vehicles, (iv) a mileage range for the vehicles (system 12 may constrict the allowable range that may be entered to within a spread limit), (v) a reconditioning range estimating the cost of reconditioning, (vi) the date of availability, and (vii) a price. The remarketer 26 may again set asking (spot), acceptance and floor prices 106, 108, 110 in the manner set forth above, but the prices will apply to all vehicles in the group.

[0055] System 22 is configured to provide a wealth of information to potential purchasers of goods entered into the wholesale market. System 22 may be configured to generate a set of information regarding each good entered into the market responsive to the information input by the dealer 24. For example, using a vehicle identification number, system 22 may be configured to generate queries to, and receive responses from, third party information providers 34 such as vehicle history providers. System 22 may also retrieve information about the vehicle stored locally on databases 52 including prior transaction information, prior inspection records, and stock information regarding the make and model. System 22 may also generate a valuation for the good, and information on wholesale prices, delivery times and costs, and reconditioning costs. [0056] Referring again to Figure 3, a dealer 24 may search for and purchase goods in the wholesale marketplace on a computer 62 through the same interface 68 used to enter vehicles into the marketplace. Referring now to Figure 9, actuating the "BUY" link 78 on interface 68 may result in generation of the screen display 122. Display 122 may include several frames relating to searches for goods in the marketplace and several frames relating to search results and purchasing of the goods. Frame 124 may include information disclosed in a plurality of columns. One column may include a summary of the search options and selected terms. In the case of a vehicle, for example, a dealer may search based on the year, make, model and available options as well as on a variety of other characteristics of the vehicle. Each listed search option may provide a link to additional information regarding that option functional details and graphical representations. The dealer may also limit the search based on price and by a predetermined profit margin. The remaining columns may indicate the market value, dealer net invoice, and the cumulative effect on the overall profit margin. The market values may also provide a link to additional information including historical valuation of an option for the good. Referring to Figure 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a purchaser may search for goods based on retail criteria 126 including financing terms (periodic payment and rates) and profit margin. Referring to Figure 11, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a purchaser may search for used goods using different search criteria than that used for new goods. In the case of used vehicles, the purchaser may search on criteria including mileage 128 (or age) and reconditioning costs 130 for the vehicle among other criteria and may limit the search to vehicles available in the future (e.g., from remarketers as discussed hereinabove). Referring again to Figure 9, frame 132 may include information on market indexes as well as other search terms such as a maximum delivery time for delivery of the vehicle to the purchaser.

[0057] Frame 134 may be used to display the search results meeting the criteria entered in frames 124, 126. In the illustrated example, the search results are arranged in a row and column format with each row corresponding to a good in the wholesale marketplace meeting the search criteria and each column corresponding to information regarding the good. The search results may be ordered by default based on the lowest delivered price and then by delivery time. The user may vary the ordering of the search results in a variety of ways, however, including by profit margins. System 22 may be configured to provide information including the dealer invoice amount 136 and the wholesale price 138.

[0058] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, system 22 may also be configured to determine a delivery time 140 and a delivery cost 142 for delivery of the good being offered for sale to the prospective purchasing dealer 24 prior to any transaction involving the good. Further, system 22 may be configured to provide the delivery time 140 and cost 142 to the purchasing dealer 24 prior to any transaction involving the good. The timing of this information is significant. Conventional marketplace systems facilitate the sale and purchase of goods, but require the parties to arrange transport of the goods outside of the system or subsequent to the transaction. The uncertainties created by the unknown delivery times and costs hinder sales of the goods. Further, arranging for delivery subsequent to the transaction creates inefficiencies in the marketplace. The inventive system is able to provide delivery times and costs prior to the transaction — and with substantial accuracy — because of the integration of the wholesale and freight marketplaces. System 22 gathers information from the freight marketplace to create substantially accurate delivery times and costs. As a result, the operator of system 22 can profitably guarantee the stated delivery times and costs and prospective purchasers can rely on the stated delivery times and costs thereby removing uncertainty from the marketplace. Further, the system 22 handles arrangements for delivery of the goods in the freight marketplace as discussed below, eliminating the need for the seller and purchaser to spend critical time and effort on transportation logistics.

[0059] System 22 may be configured to determine a delivery time 136 by deriving one or more location indexes associated with one or more locations along a delivery route for the good including, for example, the location of the seller, the location of the buyer, and intermediate distribution locations in between the seller and buyer locations. The location indexes may be stored in databases 52 and system 12 may calculate the delivery time 140 in response to one or more of the location indexes. A location index for any location is indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler 28 for a prior contract for the transport of goods from or to a location. Each location may have multiple location indexes corresponding to different distance breaks. For example, a source location may have one location index relating to any distance within a range of 0 to 100 miles between the source location and a destination location and another location index for any distance within a range of 0 to 200 miles between the source and destination locations. The distance breaks (i.e., 100 miles and 200 miles in the above example) may be established and varied by system 22 responsive to detection of greater than normal variances in per mile transport times as calculated by system 22. Location indexes for any location may initially be set at a default value or by a value determined by a system administrator. Thereafter, the location indexes for each location may be derived based on the time required for acceptance in the freight marketplace of contracts for the transport of goods from or to the location. The location indexes may also be derived in part based on other factors including weather, road construction and traffic conditions. Further, system 22 may be configured to determine an on-time delivery rate associated with a destination location indicative of on-time delivery of goods to the location under one or more prior contracts for the transport of goods to the location and to adjust a location index in response to the on- time delivery rate (e.g., where the on-time delivery rate falls outside of a predetermined range). [0060] System 22 may be configured to calculate the delivery time based on the sum of a freight acceptance time (FAT), a freight pick-up time (FPT) and the greater of a government mandated time (GMT) or a route time. The freight acceptance time is indicative of the time required for a freight hauler 28 to accept a contract for the transport of goods between locations. System 22 calculates a freight acceptance time based on a combination of location indexes for the source and destination locations (which may be averaged) and a delivery price. Optimally, the freight acceptance time would reach equilibrium over time for all contracts as price is varied relative to the location indexes. The freight pick-up time is indicative of an estimated time between acceptance of the contract for transport of the goods and pick-up of the goods from the source location. The freight pick-up time is determined responsive to prior measured times between acceptance and pick-up for the source location stored in databases 52. The route time is indicative of an estimated time between pick-up of the goods and delivery of the goods and is based on the distance and prior measured delivery times. The government mandated time is a mandated time set by the government based on the number of hours that a driver is allowed to drive in a day and speed limits along a route. If the route time is less than the government mandated time, the government mandated time is used.

[0061] System 22 may also be configured to determine a delivery cost 142 using one or more of the location indexes referenced above. System 22 may be configured to calculate the delivery cost based on a total delivery mileage (TDM) — the distance between the source and destination locations — multiplied by a base price per mile (BPM) multiplied by one or more of the locations indexes (e.g., an average of the source and destination location indexes). System 22 may determine the base price per mile in response to factors including fuel rates and the size, weight and quantity of the freight.

[0062] Referring again to Figure 9, system 22 further displays a total cost 144 to the prospective purchasing dealer 24. The total cost 144 is the sum of the seller's asking price 106, the delivery cost 138, any fees charged by the marketplace operator and any reconditioning costs for the good. System 22 may be configured to determine a reconditioning cost indicative of the cost to recondition a good in response to information provided by the purchasing dealer 24 and information obtained from third party information providers 34. System 22 may calculate the reconditioning cost by adding the cost of parts and labor. The cost of parts is determined by costs established by third party information providers 34 minus the costs for any parts that are under warranty and plus any markup by the purchasing dealer 24. The markup may be determined by the dealer 24 and may be stored in databases 52. The cost of labor is determined by multiplying the hours required for service (stored in databases 52 and obtained from third party information providers 34 or the purchasing dealer 24) by service rates stored in databases 52 and previously provided by the purchasing dealer 24. Reconditioning costs may be determined based on reconditioning performed by the purchaser (based on rates provided by the purchaser) and/or based on reconditioning performed by third parties 34. Referring to Figure 12, for example, system 22 may be configured to display information 146 regarding reconditioning costs for a user vehicle based on reconditioning by the purchaser and by one or more third parties (along with specific information regarding the defect in the good such as diagrams and photographs).

[0063] System 22 may be configured to provide additional information regarding each of the goods identified in the search results beyond the information shown in frame 134 of Figure 9. Each good listed in the search results may provide a link to additional information. Referring to Figure 13, actuating the link may provide the prospective purchaser with photographs or video of the good and information on features and their relative market value. In the case of vehicles, available information may include photographs, video, digital templates/schematics, options and descriptions of the options, inspection records (including voice recordings) and visual representations (e.g., icons and color coding) of potential defects, and vehicle history reports (e.g., accidents, insurance claims, etc.).

[0064] System 22 is further configured to receive a bid by a dealer 24 for purchase of a good within the wholesale marketplace. Referring again to Figure 9, a dealer may select a good from the search results in frame 134 and submit bid information including a starting bid 148, a bid increment 150 (i.e., the amount by which the starting bid 148 will be increased if the starting bid is unsuccessful) and a delivered (or maximum) bid 152 along with a quantity 154. System 22 may be configured such that each bid (including each incremented bid) may remain valid for a predetermined period of time (e.g., one day). A dealer 24 may submit bids on multiple goods. System 22 is therefore configured to receive another bid from a dealer 24 for purchase of another good in the wholesale marketplace. Each bid may use the same bid information (e.g., starting bid 148, bid increment 150, and delivered bid 152). System 22 is further configured to cancel one of the bids responsive to acceptance of the other bid. A dealer 24 may use this process to obtain entire groups of goods. For example, a dealer 24 may wish to obtain ten goods having a certain characteristic. The dealer 24 may submit a bid (using the same bid information) for twenty goods having that characteristic. The starting bid 148 may be accepted for five of the goods. The bid is then incremented in accordance with the bid increment. The incremented bid may be accepted for five more of the goods. At this point, system 12 will cancel the bids as to all other goods. [0065] Referring to Figure 14, the processing by system 22 of multiple bids received from a purchaser is described in greater detail. System 12 may first perform the step 156 of receiving information identifying the goods on which bids will be submitted. System 12 then performs the step 158 of receiving bid information including the starting bid 148, bid increment 150, maximum bid 152 and quantity 154. System 22 then performs the step 160 of comparing the bid price to the acceptance prices 108 for the goods which are being bid on. Step 160 may include the substep 162 of determining a net price by subtracting the delivery cost and any administrative fees charged by the system operator from the bid price and the substep 164 of comparing the net price to the acceptance prices 108. If the net price is above any acceptance prices, system 22 performs the step 166 of implementing purchase transactions. System 22 preferably implements transactions involving the lowest acceptance prices 108. System 22 then performs the steps 168, 170 of decrementing the quantity 154 and determining whether the remaining quantity is greater than zero. If the quantity is zero, the routine ends. If the quantity is greater than zero, system 22 performs the step 172 of comparing the bid price to the floor prices 110 of the remaining goods that are being bid on. System 22 also reaches step 172 if the net price is not greater than any of the acceptance prices 108. If the bid price is greater than any of the floor prices 110, system performs the step 174 of setting a timer and awaits counter bids. At the end of the time period measured by the timer, system 22 performs the step 176 of determining whether any counter-bids were received. If no counter-bids were received the routine ends. If counter-bids were received, system 22 performs the steps 178, 180, 182 of incrementing the starting bid 148 by the bid increment 150 to obtain an incremented bid, comparing the incremented bid to the maximum bid, and, if the incremented bid is less than the maximum bid, comparing the counter-bids to the incremented bid. If the counter bid is less than the incremented bid, system 22 performs the steps 184, 186, 188 of implementing purchase transactions for the goods (accepting the lowest counter bids first), decrementing the quantity 154 and determining whether the quantity is greater than zero. If system 22 determines in step 182 that the counter bid is greater than the incremented bid, system 22 performs the steps 190, 192 of storing the seller's counter bid and generating a counter bid from the purchaser. System 22 then performs the step 194 of determining whether the buyer counter bid is accepted. If accepted, system 22 performs the steps 196, 198, 200 of implementing the purchase transaction, decrementing the quantity 154 and determining whether the remaining quantity is greater than zero. If the quantity is greater than zero or the buyer counter bid is not accepted, the process repeats from step 176.

[0066] Referring to Figure 15, once bid information has been submitted, system 22 may be configured to generate screen display 202. Display 202 enables the dealer 24 to review information about the prospective bid before submitting the bid to the marketplace. In addition, system 22 may be configured to generate acceptance likelihood information 204 indicative of the likelihood of acceptance of a bid for the good in response to the bid information (e.g., the starting bid and delivered (maximum) bid) and to provide information 204 to dealer 24. As shown in Figure 15, information 204 may be expressed as a numerical value. Information 204 may be determined in response to bids placed by the dealer 24 as compared to prices paid in previous transactions for similar goods. In particular, system 22 may provide information 204 responsive to a valuation of the vehicle as determined by system 22, trends in valuation (i.e., is valuation trending upward or downward) and the rate of increase or decrease reflected in the valuation trend. System 22 may further be configured to receive a desired acceptance likelihood value from the dealer 24 and to adjust any of the bid information in response to the desired likelihood value using the same formula (but solving for different variables). After review of the information in display 202, the dealer 24 may submit the bid in the marketplace by actuating a button or other icon 206 on display 202.

[0067] System 22 may be further configured to automatically submit bids in the wholesale marketplace on behalf of a dealer 24 in response to criteria set by the dealer. For example, the dealer 24 may set criteria where a bid is submitted for any vehicles in the wholesale marketplace having certain characteristics and a certain price or valuation. Criteria may be set responsive to information from the dealer's inventory management system. For example, bids may be automatically submitted to replenish stock that is running low in inventory.

[0068] System 22 may be further configured to automatically implement a transaction in the wholesale marketplace in response to predetermined criteria. As discussed hereinabove, a dealer 42 or other market participant such as a remarketer 26 may set an asking price 106, an acceptance price 108, and a floor price 110. System 22 may be configured to automatically implement a transaction where a bid by a dealer 24 is equal to an asking price 106 for the good or where a bid is equal to or greater than an acceptance price 108 that is less than the asking price 106. System 22 may further be configured to transmit information to the offering dealer 24 regarding a bid by a prospective purchasing dealer 24 in response to predetermined criteria. For example, system 22 may transmit information regarding a bid to a dealer 24 where the bid is less than an acceptance price 108, but greater than a floor price 110. The selling dealer 24 may then provide a counter offer. Referring to Figure 13, the potential purchaser may set criteria under which system 22 will automatically implement the transaction if a counter-offers meets predetermined criteria. For example, the dealer 24 may allow implementation of the transaction if a counter offer is within a certain percentage or absolute dollar value of a bid or as long as the counter-offer is less than the maximum bid.

[0069] System 22 may be further configured to implement controls on bidding by the prospective purchaser and on transactions in the wholesale marketplace. For example, system 22 may be configured to prevent bidding in the wholesale marketplace where purchase of the good would exceed credit limits extended to the purchasing dealer 24. Referring to Figure 1, system 22 may be configured to receive a credit limit value indicative of available credit for the dealer 24 from a lender 32. The credit limit value may be received from the dealer 24 as an internal control. The credit limit value may alternatively be received from the lender 32. In particular, lenders and other financial institutions 32 may be given control within system 22 to submit or alter the credit limit value using computers 62 over network 56. Similarly, system 22 may be configured to receive an account balance indicative of an amount in an account of the dealer 24. This information may again be received from the dealer 24 or a lender or other financial institution 32. System 22 is further configured to prevent the dealer 24 from submitting a bid for a good the wholesale marketplace responsive to the credit limit value and/or the account balance. System 22 may prevent bids for the good at any price or may prevent bids above a bid limit determined in response to the credit limit value and/or account balance. For example, a dealer 24 may have a credit limit of 85% of the wholesale purchase price of a good and an account balance of $1,500. System 22 may prevent the dealer 24 from submitting a bid above $10,000 for a good because the dealer 24 does not have sufficient funds in the account to cover the portion of purchase price for which credit would not be extended.

[0070] System 22 may also be configured to implement controls on submission of bids in the wholesale marketplace by dealers 24 and transactions in response to controls set by manufacturers 30 or by the dealers 24 themselves. In this regard, system 22 may be configured to receive a transaction control from a dealer 24 or manufacturer 30 and to prevent the dealer 24 from entering into a prohibited transaction responsive to said transaction control. For example, the transaction control may comprise a geographical boundary such that system 22 prevents bids for, and transactions involving, goods outside of the boundary. The transaction control may comprise a restricted list of dealers 24 with whom the purchasing dealer 24 is allowed to transact. The transaction control may also be based on a characteristic of the good such that system 22 is configured to prevent a dealer of goods having one characteristic (e.g. a certain brand of goods) from entering into a prohibited transaction with a dealer of goods having another characteristic (e.g., a different brand of goods).

[0071] As referenced hereinabove, system 22 is configured to establish an electronic freight marketplace for the tangible goods in which contracts for transport of purchased goods between locations are offered for acceptance to a plurality of freight haulers 28 of the tangible goods. Referring to Figure 1, freight haulers 28 may connect to and interface with system 22 using a variety of computing devices including personal computers 20. Because of the transitory nature of freight haulers 28, a variety of telecommunications networks may be used to connect to system 22 including wired and wireless (e.g., cellular and/or satellite) networks. Referring to Figure 16, system 22 may be configured to generate a screen display 208 as part of an interface generated for freight haulers accessing system 22. Screen display 208 may include general information 210 such as the location of the freight hauler (as determined, for example, through a conventional GPS system) and weather and road conditions. Display 210 may also provide messages or notices 212 regarding available freight. Notices 212 may be generated by system 22 responsive to criteria such as the location of the freight hauler and capacity of the freight hauler. Display 208 may also include a plurality of buttons or icons 214 linking the freight hauler to additional screen displays and functions.

[0072] Contracts for the transport of goods may be offered to and from a variety of locations. Contracts may be offered to transport goods directly from a storage location for the good controlled by the seller (e.g., a dealer lot) to a storage location for the good controlled by the purchaser (e.g., another dealer lot). System 22 may also offer contracts for transport of goods to and from intermediate distribution points between the seller and purchaser storage locations. For example, system 22 may offer contracts for transport of goods from a storage location for the good controlled by the seller to a storage location controlled by a third party and then from that storage location to a storage location controlled by the purchaser. In the case where the goods are vehicles, the third party storage location may comprise a vehicle auction facility. In this manner, system 22 leverages the storage/marshalling capabilities of existing auction facilities to optimize transport of the goods. Once a transaction for purchase of a good has occurred in the wholesale marketplace, system 22 will determine all potential delivery routes for transport of the goods including direct routes and routes using intermediate distribution points based on information stored in databases 52 relating to prior contracts for transport of the goods. For example, databases 52 may include information indicating that the use of an intermediate distribution point results in a lower delivery cost because, due to a surplus of capacity on certain routes or other reasons, the costs for partial transports using intermediate distribution points is less than a direct transport. System 22 may be configured to offer multiple contracts for transport of the same goods within the freight marketplace. One contract may, for example, specify a direct route between source and destination locations. Another contract may specify a route using an intermediate distribution point. System 22 may be further configured to remove one of the two contracts from the freight marketplace upon acceptance of the other.

[0073] Referring to Figure 17, system 22 is configured to generate information regarding available contracts for the transport of purchased goods. System 22 may generate a screen display 216 identifying contracts 218 including a contract amount 220 based on the delivery cost earlier determined by system 22 and communicated to the purchaser. The contract amount 220 may be equal to the delivery price, but may also vary from the delivery price (e.g., if the operator of system 22 receives a percentage or commission). The information may be displayed in a variety of ways and system 22 is preferably configured to allow searching of available contracts based on criteria such as pick-up location, destination, contract amount, and pick-up and delivery times among other criteria. Freight haulers 28 can access system 22 using personal computers 62 as described above and can search for and bid on available contracts. System 22 is configured to assign a contract for the transport of purchased goods to a freight hauler 28 responsive to the information (or bids) provided by the freight hauler 28. In the event that system 22 does not receive any bids for a contract, system 22 is further configured to vary the terms of the contract — and specifically the contract amount — until a bid is obtained. For example, system 22 may increase the contract amount in predetermined increments at predetermined time periods until a bid is received. Because of the importance of set delivery costs to the wholesale marketplace, any variations of the contract amount from the quoted delivery cost will likely be absorbed by the system operator.

[0074] System 22 is further configured to generate documentation relating to freight transport. In particular, system 22 is configured to generate a waybill each time a freight hauler 28 picks up goods. The waybill may be returned by the freight hauler 28 at a later date for payment.

[0075] System 22 is further configured to obtain information relating to the transport of purchased goods. Through computers 62, freight haulers 28 will transmit information to system 22 regarding transport including the actual pick-up and delivery times for goods that are subject to each contract and possibly additional location times for locations in between the pick-up and delivery locations. In this manner, system 22 will continually reevaluate base delivery costs and times based on the information obtained for various transportation routes. System 22 may also maintain on-time pickup and delivery rates for each freight hauler 28 based on this information. System 22 may use this information to control the contracts available to a particular freight hauler 28. For example, system 22 may maintain a ratio relating time to distance for each freight hauler 28 (e.g., time per mile) based on the freight pick-up and delivery times of that freight hauler 28. Late pick-up or delivery times may lead to an increase in this ratio. System 22 may limit the display of contracts to the freight hauler 28 based on the ratio (e.g., by determining which contracts the freight hauler 28 can fulfill based on the ratio). In this manner, efficient freight haulers 28 will have greater opportunities in the freight marketplace.

[0076] Referring to Figure 18, system 22 may further be configured to generate a freight hauling plan 222 for a freight hauler 28 as part of a screen display 224. System 22 may be configured to receive a set of transport information from a freight hauler 28. For example, a freight hauler 28 may access system 22 through computer 62 and submit transport information to system 22. The transport information may, for example, include a destination or multiple destinations for the freight hauler 28. The transport information may also include a capacity of the freight hauler 28 between two locations (i.e., the amount of goods that the freight hauler 28 can carry — including maximum capacity and/or available capacity where the freight hauler 28 has already allocated part of its capacity). The transport information may also include a transport time such as a date of departure from a location or a date of arrival at a location by the freight hauler 28.

[0077] System 22 is further configured to determine the freight hauling plan 222 responsive to the transport information received from the freight hauler 28. Based on the transport information, system 22 may determine a distance of travel for the freight hauler 28. Based on information stored in databases 52 regarding distances between various locations, system 22 can calculate the distance of travel between two locations. System 22 may also determine a route for travel by the freight hauler 28. Again, based on information stored in databases 52 (from past transport information) such as typical per mile travel times along various routes, system 22 may determine the optimal route for the freight hauler 28 or potential routes. System 22 may also retrieve information regarding freight availability along a route. As shown in frame 226 of display 224, system 22 may search for available contracts for transport of purchased goods along a route (either as determined by system 22 or selected by the freight hauler 28) and match available freight with capacity and travel times for the freight hauler 28. System 22 may further modify the freight hauling plan responsive to additional transport information received from the freight hauler 28. For, example, the freight hauler 28 may unload part of its capacity at one location and provides that information to system 22 through computer 62. Based on the newly available capacity and other changes in data (e.g., contracts for transport of purchased goods that have become available since the freight hauler 28 left its original location), system 22 may review the freight hauling plan to direct the freight hauler 28 to additional available freight. In this manner, system 22 will enable freight haulers 28 to maximize efficiency of goods transport by maintaining fuller loads.

[0078] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to one or more particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A system for distribution of tangible goods, comprising: a computer system configured to: establish an electronic wholesale marketplace for said tangible goods in which a first dealer of said tangible goods can offer a first good for sale to other dealers of said tangible goods from a local inventory of said first dealer and can purchase a second good in a transaction with a second dealer of said tangible goods from a local inventory of said second dealer; and, establish an electronic freight marketplace for said tangible goods in which a contract for transport of said second good between first and second locations is offered for acceptance to a plurality of freight haulers of said tangible goods.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said tangible goods comprise vehicles.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said vehicles comprise new vehicles.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said vehicles comprise used vehicles.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: receive a first set of information regarding said first good from said first dealer;

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said first set of information includes an asking price for said first good.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said first set of information includes a unique identifier for said first good.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said unique identifier is a vehicle identification number.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: generate a second set of information regarding said first good responsive to said first set of information.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace to: generate a set of information regarding said first good, said set of information accessible by said other dealers.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said set of information includes a delivery time for said first good.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said set of information includes a delivery cost for said first good.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein said set of information includes a reconditioning cost for said first good.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein said set of information includes information provided by said first dealer regarding said first good.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic freight marketplace, to: assign said contract to a first freight hauler of said plurality of freight haulers responsive to information provided by said first freight hauler.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said first and second locations is a storage location controlled by said first dealer.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said first and second locations is a storage location controlled by said second dealer.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said first and second locations is a storage location controlled by a third party.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein one of said first and second locations is a vehicle auction facility.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic freight marketplace, to: generate a freight hauling plan for a first freight hauler of said plurality of freight haulers.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said computer system is further configured, in generating said freight hauling plan, to: receive a first set of transport information from said one freight hauler; and, determine said freight hauling plan responsive to said first set of transport information received from said one freight hauler.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said first set of transport information includes a first destination for said one freight hauler.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said first set of transport information includes a second destination for said one freight hauler.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein said first set of transport information includes a capacity of said one freight hauler.

25. The system of claim 21 wherein said first set of transport information includes a transport time of said freight hauler.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein said computer system is further configured, in generating said freight hauling plan to: modify said freight hauling plan responsive to a second set of transport information received from said one freight hauler.

27. The system of claim 21 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said freight hauling plan, to: determine a distance for travel by said one freight hauler.

28. The system of claim 21 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said freight hauling plan, to: determine a route for travel by said one freight hauler.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said freight hauling plan, to: retrieve information regarding freight availability along said route.

30. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic freight marketplace, to: offer a second contract for transport of said second good between said first and second locations for acceptance to said plurality of freight haulers of said tangible goods; and, remove one of said contract and said second contract from said freight marketplace upon acceptance of another of said contract and said second contract by one freight hauler of said plurality of freight haulers.

31. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: determine a delivery time for delivery of said second good to said first dealer prior to said transaction; and, provide said delivery time to said first dealer prior to said transaction.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said delivery time, to: derive a location index associated with said first location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a prior contract for the transport of goods from said first location; and, calculate said delivery time responsive to said location index.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said delivery time, to: derive a location index associated with said second location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a first prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, calculate said delivery time responsive to said location index.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said delivery time, to: determine an on-time delivery rate associated with said second location indicative of on-time delivery of goods to said second location under one of said first prior contract and a second prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, adjust said location index responsive to said on-time delivery rate.

35. The system of claim 31 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said delivery time, to: derive a first location index associated with said first location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a first prior contract for the transport of goods from said first location; derive a second location index associated with said second location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a second prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, calculate said delivery time responsive to said first location index and said second location index.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein said computer system is further configured, in calculating said delivery time, to: average said first location index and said second location index.

37. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: determine a delivery cost for delivery of said second good to said first dealer prior to said transaction; and, provide said delivery cost to said first dealer prior to said transaction.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said delivery cost, to: derive a location index associated with said first location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a prior contract for the transport of goods from said first location; and, calculate said delivery cost responsive to said location index.

39. The system of claim 37 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said delivery cost, to: derive a location index associated with said second location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a first prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, calculate said delivery cost responsive to said location index.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said delivery time, to: determine an on-time delivery rate associated with said second location indicative of on-time delivery of goods to said second location under one of said first prior contract and a second prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, adjust said location index responsive to said on-time delivery rate.

41. The system of claim 37 wherein said computer system is further configured, in determining said delivery cost, to: derive a first location index associated with said first location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a first prior contract for the transport of goods from said first location; derive a second location index associated with said second location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a second prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, calculate said delivery cost responsive to said first location index and said second location index.

42. The system of claim 41 wherein said computer system is further configured, in calculating said delivery cost, to: average said first location index and said second location index.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to enable said first dealer to purchase a third good in a transaction with one of said second dealer and a third dealer of said tangible goods prior to delivery of said third good to said one dealer.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein said third good is in transit to said one dealer.

45. The system of claim 43 wherein said third good is on order from a manufacturer of said tangible goods.

46. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to enable a remarketer of said tangible goods to offer a third good for sale to said plurality of dealers from a local inventory of said remarketer.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein said computer system is further configured, in enabling remarketers of said tangible goods to offer a third good for sale, to: receive a date of availability for said third good from said remarketer; and, provide a set of information about said third good including said date of availability responsive to a request from one of said plurality of dealers.

48 The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: automatically offer said first good in said wholesale marketplace from said local inventory of said first dealer responsive to predetermined criteria.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein said predetermined criteria are set by said first dealer.

50. The system of claim 48 wherein said predetermined criteria include an age of said first good.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein said age of said first good is an age of said first good in said local inventory of said first dealer.

52. The system of claim 48 wherein said predetermined criteria include a valuation of said first good exceeding a predetermined threshold.

53. The system of claim 48 wherein said predetermined criteria include a quantity of goods in said local inventory of said first dealer.

54. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: establish a price for said first good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to predetermined criteria.

55. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace to maintain a set of information associated with said first good; automatically adjust a price of said first good in said marketplace responsive to a change in said set of information.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein said set of information comprises a valuation of said first good.

57. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic marketplace to: receive a first bid from said first dealer for purchase of said second good; receive a second bid from said first dealer for purchase of a third good; and, cancel one of said first and second bids responsive to acceptance of another of said first and second bids.

58. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic marketplace to: generate acceptance likelihood information indicative of the likelihood of acceptance of a bid by said first dealer for purchase of said second good; and, provide said acceptance likelihood information to said first dealer.

59. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic marketplace, to automatically implement said transaction in response to predetermined criteria.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein said predetermined criteria includes a bid by said first dealer equal to an asking price for said second good.

61. The system of claim 59 wherein said predetermined criteria include a bid by said first dealer equal to or greater than an acceptance price for said second good that is less than an asking price for said second good.

62. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic marketplace, to transmit information to said second dealer regarding a bid by said first dealer on said second good in response to predetermined criteria.

63. The system of claim 62 wherein said predetermined criteria include a bid by said first dealer equal to or greater than a floor price that is less than an acceptance price.

64. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic marketplace to: generate acceptance likelihood information indicative of the likelihood of a sale of said first good responsive to a price of said first good set by said first dealer; and, provide said acceptance likelihood information to said first dealer.

65. The system of claim 1 wherein said tangible goods includes a first set of goods having a first characteristic and a second set of goods having a second characteristic different from said first characteristic and said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic marketplace, to prevent a dealer of said first set of goods from entering into a prohibited transaction with a dealer of said second set of goods for the purchase of a good from said second set of goods.

66. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic marketplace, to: receive a transaction control from said first dealer; and, prevent said first dealer from entering into a prohibited transaction responsive to said transaction control.

67. The system of claim 66 wherein said transaction control comprises a geographical boundary.

68. The system of claim 66 wherein said transaction control comprises a restricted list of dealers with whom said first dealer will enter into transactions.

69. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace to: receive a credit limit value indicative of available credit for said first dealer; and, prevent said first dealer from submitting a bid for said second good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to said credit limit value.

70. The system of claim 69 wherein said credit limit value is received from said first dealer.

71. The system of claim 69 wherein said credit limit value is received from a lender to said first dealer.

72. The system of claim 69 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: receive an account balance indicative of an amount in an account of said first dealer; and, prevent said first dealer from submitting a bid for said second good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to said credit limit value and said account balance.

73. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: receive a security balance indicative of an amount owed by said first dealer to a lender for said first dealer; and, prevent said first dealer from entering said first good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to said security balance.

74. The system of claim 73 wherein said security balance is received from said first dealer.

75. The system of claim 73 wherein said security balance is received from said lender.

76. The system of claim 73 wherein said computer system is further configured, in establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace, to: receive an account balance indicative of an amount in an account of said first dealer; and, prevent said first dealer from entering said first good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to said security balance and said account balance.

77. The system of claim 73 wherein said computer system is further configured, in preventing said first dealer from entering said first good in said wholesale marketplace, to: prevent said first dealer from entering said first good in said wholesale marketplace below a price limit determined in response to said security balance.

78. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system includes a database containing information linking said first dealer to a third dealer based on a shared characteristic.

79. The system of claim 78 wherein said shared characteristic is common ownership.

80. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a database containing valuation information for said first and second dealers.

81. The system of claim 80 wherein said valuation information includes a rate for repair of said tangible goods.

82. The system of claim 81 wherein said rate is based on a type of repair.

83. The system of claim 81 wherein said rate is based on time.

84. The system of claim 79 wherein said valuation information includes a time for repair for a predetermined defect in said tangible goods.

85. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system includes a database including a record of said transaction.

86. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a client through which said first dealer connects to and interfaces with said computer system.

87. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a local server capable of communication with said computer system computer through a communications network and in communication with a dealer management system of said first dealer.

88. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer system is further configured to remove said first good from said electronic wholesale marketplace responsive to information contained in a dealer management system of said first dealer.

89. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a computing device capable of communication with said computer system through a communications network, said computing device configured to provide freight information to a first freight hauler of said plurality of freight haulers.

90. The system of claim 89 wherein said freight information includes a delivery route between said first and second locations.

91. The system of claim 89 wherein said freight information includes available contracts for the transport of said tangible goods.

92. The system of claim 89 wherein at least a portion of said communications network is wireless.

93. A method for distribution of tangible goods, comprising the steps of: establishing an electronic wholesale marketplace for said tangible goods in which a first dealer of said tangible goods can offer a first good for sale to other dealers of said tangible goods from a local inventory of said first dealer and can purchase a second good in a transaction with a second dealer of said tangible goods from a local inventory of said second dealer; and, establishing an electronic freight marketplace for said tangible goods in which a contract for transport of said second good between first and second locations is offered for acceptance to a plurality of freight haulers of said tangible goods.

94. The method of claim 93 wherein said tangible goods comprise vehicles.

95. The method of claim 94 wherein said vehicles comprise new vehicles.

96. The method of claim 94 wherein said vehicles comprise used vehicles.

97. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: receiving a first set of information regarding said first good from said first dealer.

98. The method of claim 97 wherein said first set of information includes an asking price for said first good.

99. The method of claim 97 wherein said first set of information includes a unique identifier for said first good.

100. The method of claim 99 wherein said unique identifier is a vehicle identification number.

101. The method of claim 97 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: generating a second set of information regarding said first good responsive to said first set of information.

102. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: generating a set of information regarding said first good, said set of information accessible by said other dealers.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein said set of information includes a delivery time for said first good.

104. The method of claim 102 wherein said set of information includes a delivery cost for said first good.

105. The method of claim 102 wherein said set of information includes a reconditioning cost for said first good.

106. The method of claim 102 wherein said set of information includes information provided by said first dealer regarding said first good.

107. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: assigning said contract to a first freight hauler of said plurality of freight haulers responsive to information provided by said first freight hauler.

108. The method of claim 93 wherein one of said first and second locations is a storage location controlled by said first dealer.

109. The method of claim 93 wherein one of said first and second locations is a storage location controlled by said second dealer.

110. The method of claim 93 wherein one of said first and second locations is a storage location controlled by a third party.

111. The method of claim 110 wherein one of said first and second locations is a vehicle auction facility.

112. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: generating a freight hauling plan for a first freight hauler of said plurality of freight haulers.

113. The method of claim 112 wherein said substep of generating said freight hauling plan includes the substeps of: receiving a first set of transport information from said one freight hauler; and, determining said freight hauling plan responsive to said first set of transport information received from said one freight hauler.

114. The method of claim 113 wherein said first set of transport information includes a first destination for said one freight hauler.

115. The method of claim 114 wherein said first set of transport information includes a second destination for said one freight hauler.

116. The method of claim 113 wherein said first set of transport information includes a capacity of said one freight hauler.

117. The method of claim 113 wherein said first set of transport information includes a transport time of said freight hauler.

118. The method of claim 113 wherein said substep of generating said freight hauling plan includes the substep of: modifying said freight hauling plan responsive to a second set of transport information received from said one freight hauler.

119. The method of claim 113 wherein said substep of generating said freight hauling plan includes the substep of: determining a distance for travel by said one freight hauler.

120. The method of claim 113 wherein said substep of determining said freight hauling plan includes the substep of: determining a route for travel by said one freight hauler.

121. The method of claim 120 wherein said substep of determining said freight hauling plan includes the further substep of: retrieving information regarding freight availability along said route.

122. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: offering a second contract for transport of said second good between said first and second locations for acceptance to said plurality of freight haulers of said tangible goods; and, removing one of said contract and said second contract from said freight marketplace upon acceptance of another of said contract and said second contract by one freight hauler of said plurality of freight haulers.

123. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: determining a delivery time for delivery of said second good to said first dealer prior to said transaction; and, providing said delivery time to said first dealer prior to said transaction.

124. The method of claim 123 wherein said substep of determining said delivery time includes the substeps of: deriving a location index associated with said first location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a prior contract for the transport of goods from said first location; and, calculating said delivery time responsive to said location index.

125. The method of claim 123 wherein said substep of determining said delivery time includes the substeps of: deriving a location index associated with said second location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a first prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, calculating said delivery time responsive to said location index.

126. The method of claim 125 wherein said substep of determining said delivery time includes the further substeps of: determining an on-time delivery rate associated with said second location indicative of on-time delivery of goods to said second location under one of said first prior contract and a second prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, adjusting said location index responsive to said on-time delivery rate.

127. The method of claim 123 wherein said substep of determining said delivery time includes the substeps of: deriving a first location index associated with said first location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a first prior contract for the transport of goods from said first location; deriving a second location index associated with said second location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a second prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, calculating said delivery time responsive to said first location index and said second location index.

128. The method of claim 127 wherein said substep of calculating said delivery time includes the further substep of: averaging said first location index and said second location index.

129. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: determining a delivery cost for delivery of said second good to said first dealer prior to said transaction; and, providing said delivery cost to said first dealer prior to said transaction.

130. The method of claim 129 wherein said substep of determining said delivery cost includes the substeps of: deriving a location index associated with said first location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a prior contract for the transport of goods from said first location; and, calculating said delivery cost responsive to said location index.

131. The method of claim 129 wherein said substep of determining said delivery cost includes the substeps of: deriving a location index associated with said second location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a first prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, calculating said delivery cost responsive to said location index.

132. The method of claim 131 wherein said substep of determining said delivery cost includes the further substeps of: determining an on-time delivery rate associated with said second location indicative of on-time delivery of goods to said second location under one of said first prior contract and a second prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, adjusting said location index responsive to said on-time delivery rate.

133. The method of claim 129 wherein said substep of determining said delivery cost includes the substeps of: deriving a first location index associated with said first location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a first prior contract for the transport of goods from said first location; deriving a second location index associated with said second location indicative of a length of time for acceptance by a freight hauler for a second prior contract for the transport of goods to said second location; and, calculating said delivery cost responsive to said first location index and said second location index.

134. The method of claim 133 wherein said substep of calculating said delivery cost includes the substep of: averaging said first location index and said second location index.

135. The method of claim 93, wherein said electronic wholesale marketplace enables said first dealer to purchase a third good in a transaction with one of said second dealer and a third dealer of said tangible goods prior to delivery of said third good to said one dealer.

136. The method of claim 135 wherein said third good is in transit to said one dealer.

137. The method of claim 135 wherein said third good is on order from a manufacturer of said tangible goods.

138. The method of claim 93, wherein said step of establishing an electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: enabling a remarketer of said tangible goods to offer a third good for sale to said plurality of dealers from a local inventory of said remarketer.

139. The method of claim 138 wherein said substep of enabling remarketers of said tangible goods to offer a third good for sale includes the substeps of: receiving a date of availability for said third good from said remarketer; and, providing a set of information about said third good including said date of availability responsive to a request from one of said plurality of dealers.

140 The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of automatically offer said first good in said wholesale marketplace from said local inventory of said first dealer responsive to predetermined criteria.

141. The method of claim 140 wherein said predetermined criteria are set by said first dealer.

142. The method of claim 140 wherein said predetermined criteria include an age of said first good.

143. The method of claim 142 wherein said age of said first good is an age of said first good in said local inventory of said first dealer.

144. The method of claim 140 wherein said predetermined criteria include a valuation of said first good exceeding a predetermined threshold.

145. The method of claim 140 wherein said predetermined criteria include a quantity of goods in said local inventory of said first dealer.

146. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: establishing a price for said first good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to predetermined criteria.

147. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: maintaining a set of information associated with said first good; automatically adjusting a price of said first good in said marketplace responsive to a change in said set of information.

148. The method of claim 147 wherein said set of information comprises a valuation of said first good.

149. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: receiving a first bid from said first dealer for purchase of said second good; receiving a second bid from said first dealer for purchase of a third good; and, cancelling one of said first and second bids responsive to acceptance of another of said first and second bids.

150. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: generating acceptance likelihood information indicative of the likelihood of acceptance of a bid by said first dealer for purchase of said second good; and, providing said acceptance likelihood information to said first dealer.

151. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: automatically implementing said transaction in response to predetermined criteria.

152. The method of claim 151 wherein said predetermined criteria includes a bid by said first dealer equal to an asking price for said second good.

153. The method of claim 151 wherein said predetermined criteria include a bid by said first dealer equal to or greater than an acceptance price for said second good that is less than an asking price for said second good.

154. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: transmitting information to said second dealer regarding a bid by said first dealer on said second good in response to predetermined criteria.

155. The method of claim 154 wherein said predetermined criteria include a bid by said first dealer equal to or greater than a floor price that is less than an acceptance price.

156. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: generating acceptance likelihood information indicative of the likelihood of a sale of said first good responsive to a price of said first good set by said first dealer; and, providing said acceptance likelihood information to said first dealer.

157. The method of claim 93 wherein said tangible goods includes a first set of goods having a first characteristic and a second set of goods having a second characteristic different from said first characteristic and said step of establishing said electronic marketplace includes the substep of: preventing a dealer of said first set of goods from entering into a prohibited transaction with a dealer of said second set of goods for the purchase of a good from said second set of goods.

158. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: receiving a transaction control from said first dealer; and, preventing said first dealer from entering into a prohibited transaction responsive to said transaction control.

159. The method of claim 158 wherein said transaction control comprises a geographical boundary.

160. The method of claim 158 wherein said transaction control comprises a restricted list of dealers with whom said first dealer will enter into transactions.

161. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: receiving a credit limit value indicative of available credit for said first dealer; and, preventing said first dealer from submitting a bid for said second good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to said credit limit value.

162. The method of claim 161 wherein said credit limit value is received from said first dealer.

163. The method of claim 161 wherein said credit limit value is received from a lender to said first dealer.

164. The method of claim 161 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the further substeps of: receiving an account balance indicative of an amount in an account of said first dealer; and, preventing said first dealer from submitting a bid for said second good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to said credit limit value and said account balance.

165. The method of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substeps of: receiving a security balance indicative of an amount owed by said first dealer to a lender for said first dealer; and, preventing said first dealer from entering said first good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to said security balance.

166. The method of claim 165 wherein said security balance is received from said first dealer.

167. The method of claim 165 wherein said security balance is received from said lender.

168. The method of claim 165 wherein said step of establishing said electronic wholesale marketplace includes the further substeps of: receiving an account balance indicative of an amount in an account of said first dealer; and, preventing said first dealer from entering said first good in said wholesale marketplace responsive to said security balance and said account balance.

169. The method of claim 165 wherein said substep of preventing said first dealer from entering said first good in said wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: preventing said first dealer from entering said first good in said wholesale marketplace below a price limit determined in response to said security balance.

170. The system of claim 93 wherein said step of establishing an electronic wholesale marketplace includes the substep of: removing said first good from said electronic wholesale marketplace responsive to information contained in a dealer management system of said first dealer.