Commission fees adjustment system

Methods, systems, and devices for providing automatic adjustment to commission fees on a network-based marketplace. Consistent with some embodiments, a purchase offer for an item for sale is received via a user interface of a client device, the purchase offer including an offer price. Upon determining that the offer price is below a listed price, a commission fee reduction value is computed based on a difference between the listed price and the offer price. A reduced commission fee is determined based on the commission fee reduction value and a standard commission fee. Upon determining that the reduced commission fee satisfies a condition defined by a set of rules, a transaction for the sale of the item is automatically completed based on the reduced commission fee, the completing of the transaction comprising reducing the listed price by the commission fee reduction value.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to systems, methods, and devices for providing an improved user interface supporting a network-based marketplace. Specifically, in some example embodiments, the present disclosure addresses systems, methods, and devices for providing an improved user interface that facilitates an automatic adjustment of a commission fee of the network-based marketplace.

BACKGROUND

Network-based marketplaces enjoy widespread use. Such marketplaces may comprise formats that include simple classified ads and bulletin boards, to more advanced systems which facilitate auction format listings. Conventional user interfaces that support network-based marketplaces enable various models for transactions conducted through such marketplaces include fixed price, peer-to-peer bidding, volume purchasing, and bid and lock models. These models, as well as others, have been in use for many years and have been widely successful.

While conventional user interfaces that support network-based marketplaces provide significant advantages and benefits over traditional marketplaces, there remain a number of limitations. In particular, when a potential buyer makes an offer at an offer price that is below a listed price, the transaction cannot be completed without further user interactions with the potential buyer and/or seller to adjust the offer price and/or the listed price. For example, conventional network-based marketplace user interfaces typically require the seller to interact with the user interface to reduce the listed price to match the offer price and/or the potential buyer to interact with the user interface to increase the offer price to match the listed price.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods, systems, and devices are directed to providing an improved user interface that facilitate the completion of transactions in a network-based marketplace by supporting automatic adjustment of a commission fee of the network-based marketplace. Examples merely typify possible variations. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, components and functions are optional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations may vary in sequence or be combined or subdivided. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, however, that the present subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.

As noted above, conventional user interfaces supporting network-based marketplaces do not provide functionality that enables the completion of a transaction when a potential buyer makes an offer at an offer price that is below a listed price, without further user interactions with the buyer and/or seller to adjust the offer price and/or the listed price. These conventional user interfaces typically require the seller to interact with the user interface to reduce the listed price to match the offer price and/or the potential buyer to interact with the user interface to increase the offer price to match the listed price. Aspects of the present disclosure address the above referenced issues among others with methods, systems, and devices configured to adjust the commission fee of the network-based marketplace for the sale of an item and automatically complete a transaction for the sale of the item based on the reduced commission fee through the network-based marketplace.

“Automatically” completing a transaction for the sale of the item means that the transaction for the sale of the item is completed without requiring further user interaction from the seller. Aspects of the present disclosure therefore provides an improved user interface facilitating transactions in a network-based marketplace by reducing the number of interactions required from the seller to complete a transaction, even when the buyer makes an offer at an offer price that is below a listed price. According to some embodiments, “automatically” completing a transaction for the sale of the item means that the transaction for the sale of the item is completed without requiring further user interaction from either the seller or the buyer. Aspects of the present disclosure therefore provide an improved user interface for facilitating transactions in a network-based marketplace by reducing the number of interactions required from the seller and the buyer to complete a transaction, even when the buyer makes an offer at an offer price that is below a listed price. Aspects of the present disclosure therefore provides specific improvement over prior systems resulting in an improved user interface for electronic devices.

Consistent with some embodiments, a purchase offer for an item for sale is received, at a server of the network-based marketplace, via a user interface of a client device, the purchase offer including an offer price. Based on determining the offer price is below a listed price, a commission fee reduction value is computed based on a difference between the listed price and the offer price. A reduced commission fee is determined based on the commission fee reduction value and a standard commission fee. Based on determining that the reduced commission fee satisfies a condition defined by a set of rules, a transaction for the sale of the item is automatically completed based on the reduced commission fee, the completing of the transaction comprising reducing the listed price by the commission fee reduction value.

With reference toFIG. 1, an example embodiment of a network architecture100is shown. A networked system102, in the example forms of a network-based marketplace or payment system, provides server-side functionality via a network104(e.g., the Internet or wide area network (WAN)) to one or more client devices110.FIG. 1illustrates, for example, a web client112(e.g., a browser), an application114, and a programmatic client116executing on client device110.

The client device110may comprise, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, portable digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones, tablets, ultra books, netbooks, laptops, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, game consoles, set-top boxes, or any other communication device that a user may utilize to access the networked system102. In some embodiments, the client device110may comprise a display module (not shown) to display information (e.g., in the form of user interfaces). In further embodiments, the client device110may comprise one or more of touch screens, accelerometers, gyroscopes, cameras, microphones, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and so forth. The client device110may be a device of a user that is used to perform a transaction involving digital items within the networked system102. In one embodiment, the networked system102is a network-based marketplace that responds to requests for product listings, publishes publications comprising item listings of products available on the network-based marketplace, and manages payments for these marketplace transactions. One or more users106may be a person, a machine, or other means of interacting with client device110. In embodiments, the user106is not part of the network architecture100, but may interact with the network architecture100via client device110or another means. For example, one or more portions of network104may be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a WiFi network, a WiMax network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more such networks.

The client device110may include one or more applications (also referred to as “apps”) such as, but not limited to, a web browser, messaging application, electronic mail (email) application, an e-commerce site application (also referred to as a marketplace application), and the like. In some embodiments, if the e-commerce site application is included in the client device110, then this application is configured to locally provide the user interface and at least some of the functionalities with the application configured to communicate with the networked system102, on an as needed basis, for data and/or processing capabilities not locally available (e.g., access to a database of items available for sale, to authenticate a user, to verify a method of payment, etc.). Conversely if the e-commerce site application is not included in the client device110, the client device110may use its web browser to access the e-commerce site (or a variant thereof) hosted on the networked system102.

A user106may be a person, a machine, or other means of interacting with the client device110. In example embodiments, the user106is not part of the network architecture100, but may interact with the network architecture100via the client device110or other means. For instance, the user106provides input (e.g., touch screen input or alphanumeric input) to the client device110and the input is communicated to the networked system102via the network104. In this instance, the networked system102, in response to receiving the input from the user, communicates information to the client device110via the network104to be presented to the user. In this way, the user can interact with the networked system102using the client device110.

An application programming interface (API) server120and a web server122are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to, one or more application servers140. The application servers140may host one or more publication systems142and payment systems144, each of which may comprise one or more modules or applications and each of which may be embodied as hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. The application servers140are, in turn, shown to be coupled to one or more database servers124that facilitate access to one or more information storage repository or database126. In an example embodiment, the databases126are storage devices that store information to be posted (e.g., publications or listings) to the publication system142. The databases126may also store data regarding users106, in particular user profile data.

Additionally, a third party application132, executing on third party server(s)130, is shown as having programmatic access to the networked system102via the programmatic interface provided by the API server120. For example, the third party application132, utilizing information retrieved from the networked system102, supports one or more features or functions on a website hosted by the third party. The third party website, for example, provides one or more promotional, marketplace, or payment functions that are supported by the relevant applications of the networked system102.

The publication systems142may provide a number of publication functions and services to users106that access the networked system102. The payment systems144may likewise provide a number of functions to perform or facilitate payments and transactions. While the publication system142and payment system144are shown inFIG. 1to both form part of the networked system102, it will be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, each system142and144may form part of a payment service that is separate and distinct from the networked system102. In some embodiments, the payment systems144may form part of the publication system142.

The commission fee adjustment system150may provide functionality operable to instantly adjust commission fees for a transaction based on an incoming offer from a potential buyer. The commission fee adjustment system150may access data from the databases126, the third party servers130, the publication system142, and other sources. In some example embodiments, the commission fee adjustment system150may communicate with the publication systems142(e.g., for accessing item listings) and payment system144(e.g., by instructing the payment system144to complete a transaction). In an alternative embodiment, the commission fee adjustment system150may be a part of the publication system144.

While the client-server-based network architecture100shown inFIG. 1employs a client-server architecture, the present inventive subject matter is of course not limited to such an architecture, and could equally well find application in a distributed, or peer-to-peer, architecture system, for example. The various publication system142, payment system144, and commission fee adjustment system150could also be implemented as standalone software programs, which do not necessarily have networking capabilities.

The web client112may access the various publication and payment systems142and144via the web interface supported by the web server122. Similarly, the programmatic client116accesses the various services and functions provided by the publication and payment systems142and144via the programmatic interface provided by the API server120. The programmatic client116may, for example, be a seller application to enable sellers to author and manage listings on the networked system102in an off-line manner, and to perform batch-mode communications between the programmatic client116and the networked system102.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating components of a commission fee adjustment system150that provide functionality for instantly adjusting commission fees, according to some example embodiments. The commission fee adjustment system150is show as including an adjustment module205, a rule-based module210, and a training module215, all configured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, or a switch). Any one or more of these modules may be implemented using one or more processors230(e.g., by configuring such one or more processors to perform functions described for that module) and hence may include one or more of the processors230.

Any one or more of the modules described may be implemented using dedicated hardware alone (e.g., one or more of the processors230of a machine) or a combination of hardware and software. For example, any module described of the commission fee adjustment system150may physically include an arrangement of one or more of the processors230(e.g., a subset of or among the one or more processors of the machine) configured to perform the operations described herein for that module. As another example, any module of the commission fee adjustment system150may include software, hardware, or both, that configure an arrangement of one or more processors230(e.g., among the one or more processors of the machine) to perform the operations described herein for that module. Accordingly, different modules of commission fee adjustment system150may include and configure different arrangements of such processors230or a single arrangement of such processors230at different points in time. Moreover, any two or more modules of the commission fee adjustment system150may be combined into a single module, and the functions described herein for a single module may be subdivided among multiple modules. Furthermore, according to various example embodiments, modules described herein as being implemented within a single machine, database, or device may be distributed across multiple machines, databases, or devices. Further details regarding the functionality of each of the modules illustrated inFIG. 2are discussed below in reference toFIGS. 3-8.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating a method300for generating and presenting various interfaces to automatically complete a transaction for a sale of an item based on a reduced commission fee within a networked marketplace, according to an example embodiment. The method300may be embodied in computer-readable instructions for execution by one or more processors (e.g., processors230ofFIG. 2) such that the steps of the method300may be performed in part or in whole by functional components (e.g., modules) of a publication system142, a commission fee adjustment system150, and a payment system144; accordingly, the method300is described below by way of example with reference thereto. However, it shall be appreciated that the method300may be deployed on various other hardware configurations and is not intended to be limited to the functional components of the publication system142, commission fee adjustment system150, and payment system144.

At operation305, the publication system140receives, from the potential buyer, via an interface of the client device, a purchase offer for an item for sale. The purchase offer including an offer price. As described in reference toFIG. 10A, the purchase offer may be received as an input entered in an editable input field for entering an offer price displayed on the user interface of the client device. The editable input field for entering the offer price may be displayed as part of an item listing for the item for sale, an in particular alongside a listed price for the item listing. For example, a potential buyer (e.g., user106) may browse or search for the item via a search interface of a client device (e.g., client device110). In response to the browsing or searching activity, the publication system140identifies an item listing corresponding to the item, and causes display, on the user interface of the client device, of an interface including the item listing, the item listing including the editable input field for entering the offer price.

At operation310, the commission fee adjustment system150identifies a listed price for the item for sale. For example, if the offer price had been received via an editable input field displayed as part of an item listing, the commission fee adjustment system150would identify the listed price of that particular item listing as the listed price for the item for sale. The listed price may be equal to a base price plus a standard commission fee.

At operation315, the commission fee adjustment system150accesses the offer price and the listed price and determines whether the offer price is below the listed price of the item.

If the offer price is equal to (or higher than) the listed price, the commission fee adjustment system150causes the payment system144to automatically complete a transaction for the sale of the item based on a standard commission fee (at operation335).

If the offer price is below the listed price, the commission fee adjustment system150(e.g., the adjustment module205) computes, at operation320, a commission fee reduction value based on a difference between the listed price and the offer price. In particular, the commission fee reduction value can be the difference between the listed price and the offer price.

At operation325, the commission fee adjustment system150(e.g., the adjustment module205) determines a reduced commission fee based on the commission fee reduction value and the standard commission fee. For example, the reduced commission fee may be computed by subtracting the commission fee reduction from the standard commission fee.

At operation330, the commission fee adjustment system150(e.g., the rule-based module210) determines whether the reduced commission fee satisfies a condition defined by a set of rules. The condition defined by the set of rules may be that the reduced commission fee surpasses a threshold commission fee. The threshold commission fee may, for example, be computed based on a minimum profitability level for the network-based marketplace. The commission fee reduction can be funded from different sources, not just from the marketplace's commission fee for the item for sale. For example, the commission fee reduction could be funded as part of a marketing or growth campaign. Therefore, in some embodiments, the threshold commission fee may be negative. As described in reference toFIG. 4, the set of rules may also specify boundary conditions based on user profile data of the potential buyer. As described in reference toFIG. 5, the set of rules may also specify boundary conditions based on a listed price of one or more other listings for identical or similar items for sale published on another network-based marketplace. As described in reference toFIG. 6, the set of rules can also be identified by training a model on a learning problem formulated as a maximization of a performance indicator of the network-based marketplace.

If the reduced commission fee is determined to satisfy the condition defined by the set of rules, the commission fee adjustment system150instructs, at operation335, the payment system144to automatically complete a transaction for the sale of the item based on the reduced commission fee. The completing of the transaction comprises reducing the listed price by the commission fee reduction value. As described in reference toFIG. 10B, in some embodiments, the commission fee adjustment system150causes display, on the user interface of the client device, of an updated listed price, the updated listed price is equal to the listed price reduced by the commission fee reduction value.

As shown inFIG. 4the method300may, in some embodiments, include operations405,410and415, according to some embodiments. Consistent with some embodiments, the operations405,410and415may be performed as part of (e.g., as sub-operations or as a subroutine) operation330, where the commission fee adjustment system150determines whether the reduced commission fee satisfies a condition defined by a set of rules.

At operation405, the commission fee adjustment system150accesses user profile data associated with the potential buyer. The user profile data includes information that describes user purchase history of the potential buyer. As an example, the user purchase history may include a total amount spent by the potential buyer on the network-based marketplace, a loyalty score of the potential buyer, and how long the potential buyer has been active on the network-based marketplace whether the potential buyer is a new or a return buyer). The user profile data may further include an estimated life time value of the potential buyer.

At operation410, the commission fee adjustment system150determines the threshold commission fee based on the user profile data of the potential buyer. For example, the threshold commission fee can be lower if the estimated life time value of the user is high, or if the total amount spent by the potential buyer on the network-based marketplace is high, or if the loyalty score of the potential buyer is high, or if the potential buyer has been active on the network-based marketplace for a long time.

At operation415, the commission fee adjustment system150determines whether the reduced commission fee surpasses the threshold commission fee determined, at operation410, based on the user profile data of the potential buyer.

As shown inFIG. 5, the method300may include operations505,510and515, according to some embodiments. Consistent with some embodiments, the operations505,510and515may be performed as part of (e.g., as sub-operations or as a subroutine) operation330, where the commission fee adjustment system150determines whether the reduced commission fee satisfies a condition defined by a set of rules.

At operation505, the commission fee adjustment system150identifies a second item listing for a second item for sale on a second network-based marketplace. The second item is similar or identical to the item for sale for which the purchase offer was received at operation305(hereinafter called the first item for sale). The second listing may be identified based at least on an item attribute of the second item matching an item attribute of the first item. The second item listing includes a second listed price.

At operation510, the commission fee adjustment system150determines the threshold commission fee based on a second listed price of the second item listing. In particular, the threshold commission fee can be computed based on a difference between the listed price of the first item for sale (hereinafter called the first listed price) and the second listed price. If more than one second item listings have been identified at operation505, the threshold commission fee may be based on the listed price of the second item listing having the lowest listed price.

At operation515, the commission fee adjustment system150determines whether the reduced commission fee surpasses the threshold commission fee determined, at operation510, based on the second listed price.

As shown inFIG. 6, the method300may, in some embodiments, further include operations605,610and615. Consistent with some embodiments, operation605may be performed before operation305, where the publication system140receives a purchase offer for the item for sale. Consistent with some embodiments, operations610and615may be performed as part of (e.g., as sub-operations or as a subroutine) operation330, where the commission fee adjustment system150determines whether the reduced commission fee satisfies a condition defined by a set of rules. Consistent with some embodiments, operation605may be performed in part or in whole by a training module215of a commission fee adjustment system150. Consistent with some embodiments, operations610, and615may be performed in part or in whole by a rule-based module210of a commission fee adjustment system150

At operation605, the training module215trains a model on a learning problem formulated as a maximization of one or more performance indicator of the network-based marketplace. The demand model can use machine learning and/or statistical methods to maximize the one or more performance indicator of the network-based marketplace. The performance indicators can be financial indicators like a revenue, a profit, or commercial indicators like a seller utility or a buyer utility. The model can be trained on a training set including historical data regarding listed prices of item listings published on the network-based marketplace, offer prices received at the network-based marketplace, and/or listed prices of items listings published on another network-based market places, and/or historical revenues of the network-based marketplace. In particular, the training set can include a set of training examples, each training example including at least a listed price and an offer price. The training module215trains the model to output, for each example of the set of training examples, the value of the threshold commission fee maximizing the performance indicator of the network-based marketplace.

At operation610, the rule-based module210determines the threshold commission fee using the trained model. In particular, the rule-based module210implements the trained model and inputs the first listed price and the offer price into the trained model, so that the trained model outputs the value of the threshold commission fee that is predicted to maximize the performance indicator of the network-based marketplace. The model can take additional data as input, including user profile data of the potential buyer (as described in reference toFIG. 4), and/or listed price of item listings published by other network-based marketplaces (as described in reference toFIG. 5).

At operation615, the commission fee adjustment system650determines whether the reduced commission fee surpasses the threshold commission fee determined, at operation610, using the trained model.

As shown inFIG. 7, the method300may, in some embodiments, include operations740and745, according to some embodiments. Consistent with some embodiments, operations740and745may be performed as part of (e.g., as sub-operations or as a subroutine) of operation310, where the commission fee adjustment system150identifies a listed price for the item for sale.

At operation740, the commission fee adjustment system150identifies a plurality of item listings for the item for sale, each item listing including a respective listed price.

At operation745, the commission fee adjustment system150identifies the listed price of the item listing having the lowest listed price among the plurality of item listings identified at operation740.

In the embodiments including operations740and745, at operations315-335, the listed price is the lowest listed price (which is not necessarily the listed price of the item listing for which the buyer initially made an offer), and the item listing is the item listing identified as having the lowest listed price (which is not necessarily the item listing for which the buyer initially made an offer). In particular, at operation335, the transaction is completed based on the item listing identified as having the lowest listed price. Moreover, in embodiments wherein the commission fee adjustment system150causes display of an updated listed price, only the listed price of the item listing identified as having the lowest listed price is updated.

FIG. 8Ais a flowchart illustrating a method800for generating and presenting various interfaces to automatically update a listed price of an item listing based on a reduced commission fee within a networked marketplace, according to an example embodiment. The method800may be embodied in computer-readable instructions for execution by one or more processors (e.g., processors230ofFIG. 2) such that the steps of the method800may be performed in part or in whole by functional components (e.g., modules) of a publication system142, and a commission fee adjustment system150; accordingly, the method800is described below by way of example with reference thereto. However, it shall be appreciated that the method800may be deployed on various other hardware configurations and is not intended to be limited to the functional components of the publication system142, and commission fee adjustment system150.

At operation810, the publication system140identifies a first item listing for a first item for sale at a first network-based marketplace.

In some embodiments, the publication system140identifies the first item listing by detecting, via an interface of the client device, an interest of the potential buyer for an item listing. The interest may be explicit or implicit. An explicit interest may be detected based on explicit inputs received via the interface of the client device, such as a user interaction with an item listing. An implicit interest may be detected based on inputs that do not explicitly or expressly indicate an interest in the item listing based on the above-mentioned explicit inputs. For example, an implicit interest may be detected based on implicit user inputs that include searching for the item or viewing the item listing. The method800may be applied to the item listing for which the potential buyer expressed an interest. Alternatively, the method800may be applied to the item listing offering the lowest listed price for an item identical or similar to the item listing for which the potential buyer expressed an interest.

In some embodiments, the method800is applied to a new listing for an item for sale that has just been received or created at the first network-based marketplace to ensure that the new item listing is published with a listed price that is lower than the listed prices for similar or identical items offered at other network-based marketplaces. For example, as described in reference toFIG. 10C, the publication system140identifies a new listing that has just been received or created as the first item listing.

In some embodiments, the method800is regularly or randomly applied to listings published on the network-based marketplace to ensure that these item listings are published with a listed price that is lower than the listed prices for similar or identical items offered at other network-based marketplaces. For example, the publication system140identifies any item listing published on the first network-based marketplace as the first item listing.

In some embodiments, only the item listing having the lowest listed price is eligible for commission fee reduction. The method800is applied to the item listing having the lowest listed price among a plurality of item listings published on the first network-based marketplace for a particular item or category of items. In some embodiments, the publication system140identifies a plurality of item listings for similar or identical items that are published on the first network-based marketplace, each one of the item listings being associated to a listed price. The plurality of listings may be identified based on sharing one or more item attributes. The publication system140identifies the first item listing as the item listing having the lowest listed price among the plurality of item listings.

At operation825, the commission fee adjustment system150(e.g., the adjustment module205) computes a commission fee reduction value for the first item listing. As described in reference toFIG. 8B, the commission fee reduction value may be computed based on a listed price of at least one identical or similar item for sale on another network-based marketplace. As described in reference toFIG. 8C, the commission fee reduction value may be computed using a demand model.

At operation830, the commission fee adjustment system150(e.g., the adjustment module205) determines a reduced commission fee based on the commission fee reduction value and the standard commission fee. For example, the reduced commission fee may be computed by subtracting the commission fee reduction from the standard commission fee.

At operation835, the commission fee adjustment system150(e.g., the rule-based module210) determines whether the reduced commission fee satisfies a condition defined by a set of rules. The condition defined by the set of rules may be that the reduced commission fee surpasses a threshold commission fee. The threshold commission fee may, for example, be computed based on a minimum profitability level for the network-based marketplace. The commission fee reduction can be funded from different sources, not just from the network-based marketplace's commission fee for the first item for sale. For example, the commission fee reduction could be funded as part of a marketing or growth campaign. Therefore, in some embodiments, the threshold commission fee may be negative. As described in reference toFIG. 5, the set of rules may also specify boundary conditions based on a listed price of one or more other listings for identical or similar items for sale published on another network-based marketplace. As described in reference toFIG. 6, the set of rules can also be identified by training a model on a learning problem formulated as a maximization of a performance indicator of the network-based marketplace.

At operation840, as described in reference toFIG. 10D, the commission fee adjustment system150(e.g., the adjustment module205) causes display, on the user interface of the client device, of an updated first listed price for the first item listing. The updated first listed price may in particular be equal to the first listed price reduced by the commission fee reduction value computed at operation825.

As shown inFIG. 8B, the method800may, in some embodiments, further include operations845, and850. Consistent with some embodiments, operation845, and850may be performed as part of (e.g., as sub-operations or as a subroutine) operation825, where the commission fee adjustment system150computes a commission fee reduction value for the first item listing. Consistent with some embodiments, operations845, and850may be performed in part or in whole by an adjustment module205of a commission fee adjustment system150.

At operation845, the commission fee adjustment system150identifies at least one second item listing for a second item for sale on a second network-based marketplace. The second item listing may be identified based on the second item being similar or identical to the first item. The second listing may be identified based at least on an item attribute of the second item matching an item attribute of the first item. The second item listing includes a second listed price.

At operation850, the commission fee adjustment system150computes the commission fee reduction value based on the second listed price. For example, if only one second item listing has been identified at operation845, the commission fee reduction value can be the difference between the first listed price and the second listed price for the second item listing. If more than one second item listings have been identified at operation845, the commission fee reduction value can be the difference between the first listed price and the lowest second listed price (i.e., the listed price of the second item listing having the lowest listed price). As shown inFIG. 8C, the method800may, in some embodiments, further include operations860,865and870. Consistent with some embodiments, operation860may be performed before operation810, where the publication system140identifies a first item listing for a first item for sale at a first network-based marketplace. Consistent with some embodiments, operation865and870may be performed as part of (e.g., as sub-operations or as a subroutine) operation825, where the commission fee adjustment system150computes a commission fee reduction value for the first item listing. Consistent with some embodiments, operation860may be performed in part or in whole by a training module215of a commission fee adjustment system150. Consistent with some embodiments, operations865, and870may be performed in part or in whole by an adjustment module205of a commission fee adjustment system150.

At operation860, the training module215trains a demand model. The demand model uses machine learning and/or statistical methods to generate demand forecasts for items for sale on the network-based marketplace. For example, the demand model can be trained to predict a probability to sell a given item at a given listed price. The model can be trained on a training set including historical data such as, context data, user behavior data (e.g., users implicit or explicit interest in item listings), offer prices received at the network-based marketplace, and/or listed prices of items listings published on another network-based market places.

At operation865, the adjustment module205computes a target listed price for the first item listing using the demand model. The target listed can be computed as the listed price at which the probability to sell the first item trespasses a threshold. The demand model can compute the target listed price based on data such as, context data, user behavior data (e.g., users implicit or explicit interest in item listings), and/or offer prices received at the network-based marketplace, and/or listed prices of items listings published on another network-based market places (as described in reference toFIG. 8B).

At operation870, the adjustment module205computes the commission fee reduction value based on the target listed price computed at operation865. For example, the commission fee reduction value can be the difference between the first listed price and the target listed price.

FIG. 9is a diagram900illustrating an example transaction processed according to some embodiments. In the illustrative example ofFIG. 9, item listings915and925are published for identical or similar items on a network-based marketplace901. The first item listing915associated with a first seller916includes a first listed price of $480. The first listed price is equal to a base price of $432 plus a standard commission fee of $48. The base price is the amount of money that the seller will receive if the transaction is completed. The second item listing925associated to a second seller926includes a listed price of $500. A purchase offer935is received from a buyer936. The purchase offer includes an offer price of $475. Since the offer price is below both listed prices, a conventional network-based marketplace would be unable to complete a transaction for the sale of the item without further interactions with the buyer936and/or one of the sellers916or926to adjust the offer price and/or the listed price. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a commission fee reduction value of $5 is computed based on a difference between the lowest listed price (i.e., the listed price of the first item listing) and the offer price. A reduced commission fee of $43 is determined as the standard commission fee of $48 reduced by the commission fee reduction value of $5, and a transaction for the sale of the item is automatically completed based on the reduced commission fee of $43. The transaction for the sale of the item is completed at an updated listed price of $475, the updated listed price been equal to the listed price of the first item listing reduced by the commission fee reduction value of $5.

FIG. 10Ais an interface diagram illustrating an example interface1000A presented on a client device of the potential buyer (e.g., user106) as discussed in operation305of method300. The interface1000A includes a display of an item listing1005(e.g., first item listing715). The item listing1005includes the listed price1015, and optionally of one or more item attributes1016. The interface1000A may also include a display of other item listings1020for identical or similar items (e.g., second item listing725). The interface1000A may also include an editable input field1030for entering an offer price.

FIG. 10Bis an interface diagram illustrating an example interface1000B presented on a client device of the potential buyer (e.g., user106) as discussed in operation335of the method300once the transaction for the sale of the first item has been completed. The interface1000B includes the updated listed price1035.

FIGS. 10A-10Billustrate some of the improvements provided by a user interface according to aspects of the present disclosure. The transaction for the sale of the first item has been completed, without requiring any user interaction from the seller and with minimal interaction from the buyer. More specifically, the buyer was able to complete the sale through a single user interaction (e.g., entering an offer price into the editable input field1003), without navigating to other user interfaces, screens, or applications. For example, the buyer did not have to open a mailbox to see if his offer was accepted.

FIG. 10Cis an interface diagram illustrating an example interface1000C presented on a client device of a seller (e.g., user106) as discussed in operation810of method800. The interface1000C includes a display of an item listing1005C. The item listing1005C includes a listed price1015C, and optionally a base price1020C and a standard commission fee1025C.

FIG. 10Dis an interface diagram illustrating an example interface1000D presented on a client device of the seller (e.g., user106) as discussed in operation840of method800. The interface1000D includes a display of an item listing1005D. The item listing1005D includes an updated listed price1030D computed at operation840, and optionally a reduced commission fee1035D computed at operation830. The base price1020C is unchanged. While example interface1000D illustrates an embodiment wherein the commission fee reduction value is computed based on a second listed price of an identical or similar item for sale on another network-based marketplace according to operation850described in reference toFIG. 8B, it shall be appreciated that a similar interface can be presented on a client device of the seller in embodiments wherein the commission fee reduction value is computed using a demand model according to operations865and870described in reference toFIG. 8C.

FIGS. 10C-10Dillustrate some of the improvements provided by a user interface according to aspects of the present disclosure. The listed price has been reduced in order to be lower than listed prices of identical or similar items available on other network-based marketplaces without requiring any user interaction from the seller. More specifically, the listed price has been reduced, without requiring the seller to lower his base price.

The systems and methods described above are described in relation to items for sale on one or more network-based marketplaces (e.g., a first and a second network-based marketplace). However, it shall be appreciated that the system and methods described above may be deployed or applied to items for sale on any number of network-based marketplaces, by any number of retailers (e.g., a first and a second retailer), or on any number of network-based marketplaces and by any number of retailers.

Electronic Apparatus and System

Hardware Architecture

FIG. 11illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a machine1100in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions may be executed for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, according to an example embodiment. Specifically,FIG. 11shows a diagrammatic representation of the machine1100in the example form of a computer system, within which instructions1116(e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine1100to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. For example, the instructions1116may cause the machine1100to execute the methods ofFIGS. 3-6. The instructions1116transform the general, non-programmed machine1100into a particular machine1100programmed to carry out the described and illustrated functions in the manner described. In alternative embodiments, the machine1100operates as a standalone device or may be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine1100may operate in the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine1100may comprise, but not be limited to, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), a PDA, an entertainment media system, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a mobile device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance), other smart devices, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of executing the instructions1116, sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by the machine1100. Further, while only a single machine1100is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include a collection of machines1100that individually or jointly execute the instructions1116to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The machine1100may include processors1110, memory1130, and I/O components1150, which may be configured to communicate with each other such as via a bus1102. In an example embodiment, the processors1110(e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an ASIC, a Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, a processor1112and a processor1114that may execute the instructions1116. The term “processor” is intended to include multi-core processors that may comprise two or more independent processors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that may execute instructions contemporaneously. AlthoughFIG. 11shows multiple processors1110, the machine1100may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processors with multiples cores, or any combination thereof.

The memory1130may include a main memory1132, a static memory1134, and a storage unit1136, both accessible to the processors1110such as via the bus1102. The main memory1130, the static memory1134, and storage unit1136store the instructions1116embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions1116may also reside, completely or partially, within the main memory1132, within the static memory1134, within the storage unit1136, within at least one of the processors1110(e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or any suitable combination thereof, during execution thereof by the machine1100.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies. The I/O components1150may include communication components1164operable to couple the machine1100to a network1180or devices1170via a coupling1182and a coupling1172, respectively. For example, the communication components1164may include a network interface component or another suitable device to interface with the network1180. In further examples, the communication components1164may include wired communication components, wireless communication components, cellular communication components, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and other communication components to provide communication via other modalities. The devices1170may be another machine or any of a wide variety of peripheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a USB).

Executable Instructions and Machine Storage Medium

The various memories (i.e.,1130,1132,1134, and/or memory of the processor(s)1110) and/or storage unit1136may store one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. These instructions the instructions1116), when executed by processor(s)1110, cause various operations to implement the disclosed embodiments.

Transmission Medium

The instructions1116may be transmitted or received over the network1180using a transmission medium via a network interface device (e.g., a network interface component included in the communication components1164) and utilizing any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)). Similarly, the instructions1116may be transmitted or received using a transmission medium via the coupling1172(e.g., a peer-to-peer coupling) to the devices1170. The terms “transmission medium” and “signal medium” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “transmission medium” and “signal medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying the instructions1116for execution by the machine1100, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such software. Hence, the terms “transmission medium” and “signal medium” shall be taken to include any form of modulated data signal, carrier wave, and so forth. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a matter as to encode information in the signal.

Language