Abstract:
An electronic business site to facilitate selective communications between and among motor vehicle purchasers, dealers, and salespeople. Informational profiles of dealers and salespeople, are selectively accessed, reviewed, and compared by a potential purchaser of a motor vehicle. The profiles for the dealer and salespeople include respective textual, or visual, or audio-visual information about them. The profiles are cross-linked, so at least some of said information from the dealer profile is displayed on the salesperson profile when the salesperson&#39;s profile is accessed by a potential purchaser. In the event the potential purchaser finds a suitable dealer and/or salesperson, the consumer can initiate communications with either of them, in the form of a request for contact or a price quote, in furtherance of the goal of purchasing a motor vehicle.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    Pursuant to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1), Applicant claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/423,555, filed Dec. 15, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to computerized methods to facilitate the purchase and sale of motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention pertains to the establishment, maintenance, and use of an electronic business site and methods of using same, in which informational profiles of vendors of motor vehicles, including dealers and salespeople, are selectively accessed, reviewed, and compared by a potential purchaser of a motor vehicle. In the event the potential purchaser finds a suitable dealer and/or salesperson, the purchaser can initiate communications with them, in furtherance of the goal of purchasing a motor vehicle. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    The oldest and most common manner in which motor vehicles are purchased is in person, at a dealership or a used car lot. The dealership or lot maintains an inventory of vehicles on site, for the potential purchaser to view and examine, and in some cases, take for a test drive. However, before that happens, the purchaser, upon entering upon the dealer&#39;s premises is met by a salesperson. In all likelihood, this is not a person who has been selected or chosen by the purchaser; he or she is just the next salesperson in line to greet the public. 
         [0006]    The potential purchaser has no information about the salesperson who meets them, as he or she is a total stranger. There is naturally a certain amount of distrust and skepticism associated with any automobile salesperson, and the high-pressure sales tactics commonly employed by the sales force do nothing to mitigate these negative feelings among the purchasing public. In addition, after initial model selection and general price discussions with the salesperson, purchasers often get handed over to a sales manager, or closer, for final negotiations. These negotiations are seldom a pleasant experience for potential purchasers. 
         [0007]    Although the above-discussed dealership or used car lot sales experience is still very typical, many potential purchasers have increasingly turned to the world wide web as a precursor step to purchasing a motor vehicle. Internet searches can reveal many facts about particular brands and models. The manufacturers&#39; Internet web sites show photos, videos, specifications, and comparative information about the variety of models offered. Some manufacturers&#39; web sites allow potential purchasers to “build” their hypothetical dream car, outfitted in a selected color, and having all of the features and accessories that are chosen. A list price for the dream car may also be available to the potential purchaser. 
         [0008]    Independent reviews of past or current models are also available on the Internet, so the potential purchaser can gain the opinion of another person, preferably an expert, about the virtues and problem areas associated with particular brands and models. By considering the opinions of several different reviewers, the potential purchaser can develop his or her own conclusions about the model under consideration, even before taking a test drive. 
         [0009]    Motor vehicle pricing information is also available on the Internet, including manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail prices, dealer invoice prices, transaction prices for specific geographic areas, discounts and incentives, and subvented financing and leases. Detailed pricing for special models, options, and accessories is also readily available, so the interested shopper can head into price negotiations relatively well informed about how much dealer profit leeway exists for the sale of a particular model. 
         [0010]    Many of those who conduct automotive research on the Internet also prefer to solicit actual price quotes from dealers using the Internet. U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,517, issued to Wolfe et al., is exemplary. The &#39;517 Patent discloses a method and apparatus for Real Time Communication Of Purchase Requests. In this system, a potential buyer submits a purchase request over a computer network, interconnected to a data center. The purchase request includes product identification data and information about the potential buyer&#39;s location. The data center determines at least one dealer to receive the purchase request, and communicates the purchase request information to that dealer. The dealer, or multiple dealers in a given case, then contact the potential buyer. This approach is driven primarily by product information about the make and model of a particular motor vehicle and by the location of the potential purchaser, not necessarily by selections made by the potential purchaser about a particular dealer or a specific salesperson with whom to deal. 
         [0011]    Automobile dealers also have Internet web sites, which are calculated to generate sales leads. These leads correspond to information about and inquiries submitted by, a potential purchaser. In this type of transaction, the potential purchaser has already selected a brand, a model, and a dealer. In order to receive a price quotation for the selected model, the purchaser must complete a form on-line, usually providing name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and other personal information. A dealership representative then contacts the potential purchaser, and with further communications, negotiations for the purchase of a vehicle may ensue. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention provides computerized methods and systems to facilitate selective communications between and among potential purchasers, dealers, and salespeople. One of the significant differences between the present method, and those employed in the prior art, is that the automobile purchasing process is initially driven by the potential purchaser&#39;s selection of one or more particular dealers or salespersons with whom to communicate and deal. 
         [0013]    This objective is technically accomplished by establishing and maintaining a profile database including at least one dealer profile and at least one salesperson profile accessible for viewing at an Internet website. Preferably, to offer the greatest number and variety of options and selection choices to the potential purchaser, or web page user, the profile database will include a plurality of dealer profiles and a plurality of salesperson profiles. 
         [0014]    Each dealer profile includes textual, or visual, or audio-visual information about a particular dealer. Each salesperson profile includes textual, or visual, or audio-visual information about a particular salesperson. The dealer and salesperson profiles are functionally cross-linked, so at least some of the information from the dealer profile is displayed on the salesperson profile when the salesperson profile is accessed over the Internet by a potential purchaser. Preferably, the cross-linking function is also complementary, so at least some of the content from at least one salesperson&#39;s profile, such as his or her name and a photograph, is displayed on the dealer&#39;s profile when the dealer&#39;s profile is accessed over the Internet by a potential purchaser. 
         [0015]    The profile database is under the exclusive control of a dealer/administrator. Such control includes edit and manage functions over additions or changes to the content of the dealer profile and the salesperson profile. 
         [0016]    Another feature of the database is that the salesperson profile is under the conditional control of that salesperson. Thus, providing certain conditions are satisfied, the salesperson made the subject of his or her profile would enjoy edit and mange functions over additions or changes to the content of their profile. However, these edit and manage functions are subordinate to the exclusive control of the dealer/administrator, so that proposed additions or changes to the content of a salesperson profile must be approved or permitted by the dealer/administrator before edit and manage functions for the salesperson profile are enabled. 
         [0017]    Lastly, the content of the dealer profiles and the salesman profiles may be viewed on a publicly accessible electronic business site, preferably on the Internet. In that manner, a potential purchaser can selectively access, review, and compare one or more profiles of dealers and one or more profiles of salespersons, thereby making informed, selective decisions about whom the potential purchaser wants to contact and engage, for further communications, negotiations, and contractual arrangements. 
         [0018]    To that end, the dealer profiles will typically include the dealer&#39;s name, street address, telephone number, a link to the dealer&#39;s web site, the automobile brands carried, background information about the dealer, photos of the premises, audio-visual information about the dealer, customer testimonials, and direct links to the dealer requesting a contact or a price quote. 
         [0019]    The salesperson profiles are similar to the dealer profiles, but they also contain further personal information and interests associated solely with a particular salesperson. Thus, a typical salesperson profile would contain his or her dealer&#39;s name, street address, and phone number, a link to the dealer&#39;s web site, the brands of automobile the salesperson sells, personal or biographical information about the salesperson&#39;s family background, hometown, educational history, work experience, military experience, and personal interests, such as hobbies, sports, and outside work activities. The salesperson profile would also typically include photos as well as an audio-visual presentation where the salesperson would introduce him or herself and provide a synopsis and narrative about themselves, their interests, and life experiences. The salesperson profile may also include customer testimonials in text or audio-visual form, about past transactions with the particular salesperson. A direct link for an e-mail address or a telephone number would also be provided, so the potential purchaser can make a direct contact with the salesperson or request a quote for one or more motor vehicles. 
         [0020]    Two business models are disclosed, one where the subject website is owned and operated by a website service provider, and the other where the subject website is owned and operated by a dealer association or an auto mall, involving a number of different dealers typically located in a particular geographical region or location. 
         [0021]    These and other features, aspects, and characteristics of the invention will be more apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, to follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial diagram of the components and participants of electronic business sites, each business model being interconnected to a network such as the world wide web, and being independently accessible by one or more purchaser web clients; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram showing the roles, functions and controls of the dealer/administrator and the salesperson, in creating and maintaining information and data in a dealer profile and a salesperson profile that are functionally cross-linked; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of a variant circumstance, where at least two dealerships are under common ownership or control, both dealer profiles being cross-linked to the same salesperson, who has two different salesperson profiles; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a variant circumstance, where a single dealer/administrator has edit and manage controls over a plurality of dealer profiles; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart, showing a typical scenario of events, when a potential purchaser visits the electronic business website, and elects to review, assess, and possibly pick one or more dealers he or she finds suitable for contacting or requesting a price quote; and, 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart, showing a typical scenario of events, when a potential purchaser visits the electronic business website, and elects to review, assess, and possibly pick one or more salespeople he or she finds suitable for contacting or requesting a price quote. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , the computerized system  11 , used to implement the methods of the present invention, may include a service provider owned system  12  and an association/auto mall owned system  13 . As will be explained more fully below, these two systems share the same components and function in a very similar fashion, but the business model for each is different. For purposes of the following discussion, service provider owned system  12  and association/auto mall owned system  13  may be viewed as business model subsets of computerized system  11 . 
         [0029]    In the service provider owned system  12 , a plurality of different automotive dealers pay a service provider a subscription fee for the service of establishing and maintaining an Internet website containing information and systems which purchaser web clients  14  can access and use. In the association/auto mall owned system  13 , a group of dealers, generally in the same geographical region or congregated at the same location at an auto mall, own and maintain an Internet website for the same purpose as system  12 , but the group typically pays a monthly or annual license fee for the use of the system  13  and to practice of the methods disclosed herein. For the purposes of explaining the system  11 , most of the description below will focus upon the service provider owned system  12 , also called Business Model A. 
         [0030]    System  12  includes data storage  16 , an application server  17 , and a web server  18 , functionally integrated and interconnected to a network, preferably the world wide web  19 . The data storage  16  maintains electronic records for all of the information about the dealerships and the salespeople, as well as particulars for the communications and transactions between and among the various parties in the system  12 . The application server  17  includes the software that establishes and maintains the various records and the website of the system  12 , and routes communications and information between and among the parties. The web server  18  provides an incoming and outgoing communication interface with the web  19 . 
         [0031]    At least one dealer web client  21  and at least one salesperson web client  22  are also provided. The dealer web client  21  is typically operated by a manager or supervisor within an automobile dealership. Each salesperson web client  22  is operated by an individual salesperson who has some association with one or more automobile dealerships. Dealer web client  21  and salesperson web client  22  are functionally cross-linked through a cross-link server  23 , also interconnected to the web  19 . A dealer/administrator web client  24 , is in communication with the cross-link server  23 . The dealer/administrator web client  24  is typically operated or supervised by management in an automotive dealership, or by an owner of more than one automotive dealerships. Variations and further expansions of these relationships and arrangements will be explained below. 
         [0032]    With these functional components and interrelationships within computerized system  12  in mind, a description of the creation and maintenance of a dealer profile  26  and a salesperson profile  27  will be provided. As is evident in  FIG. 2 , profiles  26  and  27  include textual, visual, and audio-visual content calculated to communicate to a potential purchaser, engaging and important information about a particular dealer and a particular salesperson. 
         [0033]    For example, and not by way of limitation, a dealer profile  26  may include the dealer name, the dealer street address, the dealer phone number, a link to the dealer&#39;s website, the brands of new and/or used motor vehicles carried by the dealer, textual information about the dealer, photos of the interior and exterior of the dealership premises, photos and videos about the dealership&#39;s operations, services, and personnel, direct communication links to the dealership requesting return contact and/or price quotations for particular automobiles, and customer testimonials. 
         [0034]    Also by way of example, a salesperson profile may include the name of the dealer the salesperson is associated with, the dealer street address, the dealer phone number, a link to the dealer&#39;s website, the brands of new and/or used motor vehicles carried by the dealer, the salesperson&#39;s name, personal information about the salesperson, personal interests of the salesperson, photos of the salesperson, videos featuring the salesperson, direct communication links to the salesperson requesting return contact and/or price quotations for particular automobiles, and customer testimonials. The personal information about the salesperson may include a biography, stating the salesperson&#39;s hometown, educational background, work experience, military service, by example. The personal interest information may include hobbies, sports, and outside activities of the salesperson. 
         [0035]    The dealer profile  26  and the salesperson&#39;s profile  27  are cross-linked  28 , so that when the salesperson&#39;s profile  27  is viewed by a potential purchaser, at least a portion of the content of the cross-linked dealer profile  26  will also be visually incorporated. Typically and preferably, the cross-linking feature will function both ways, so the dealer&#39;s profile  28  will also include at least a portion of the content of the cross-linked salesperson&#39;s profile. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  also includes a functional block diagram portion, depicting control and permitted communication paths for a dealer/administrator  29  and a salesperson  31 . The dealer/administrator  29  has exclusive control, including capabilities directly to edit and manage  32  and to edit and manage  33 , respectively, over additions or changes to the content of the dealer profile  26  and the salesperson profile  27 . 
         [0037]    The salesperson profile  27  is under the conditional control of salesperson  31 . By this it is meant that capabilities to edit and manage  33  are subordinate to the exclusive control of the dealer/administrator  29 . Proposed edits  34 , in the form of additions or changes to the content of the salesperson profile  27 , must first be approved or permitted by the dealer/administrator  29 . This is effected by the salesperson  31  first submitting the proposed edits  34  to the dealer/administrator  29 . After review and approval, the dealer/administrator  29  issues a command to approve or permit  36  the proposed edit  34 . This command enables edits  37 , so that the capabilities to edit and manage  33  the salesperson profile  27  can be exercised by the salesperson  31 . It is also contemplated that a dealer/administrator  29  may issue an open command to approve or permit  36 , so that not all edits a salesperson  31  wants to make must be proposed and approved. However, since the dealer/administrator  29  has exclusive control over this function, such permission may be revoked at any time. This arrangement providing for exclusive and conditional control over such profiles may be termed asymmetrical, in that control over the content of the respective profiles of the dealer and the salesperson is not equally shared or distributed. 
         [0038]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , variations upon the relationships between dealers and salespersons are shown.  FIG. 3  also shows a more complex arrangement for salesperson profiles, where a single salesperson has at least two different profiles. The computerized system  12  of the present invention is adapted to accommodate these relationships and database structures. Where at least two dealerships are under common ownership or control  38 , the system  12  allows a first salesperson profile  35  to be cross-linked  28  to a first dealer profile  39  and a second dealer profile  41 . The practical effect of this profile cross-link is that a potential purchaser could view two different dealers in salesperson A&#39;s profile, and conversely, the salesperson As profile would be present when viewing each dealer&#39;s profile. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  also shows that salesperson A who has a first salesperson profile  35  and a second salesperson profile  42 . This would be appropriate where salesperson A is bilingual, say fluent both in English and in Spanish. All text in salesperson A&#39;s first salesperson profile  35  would be written in English, and any audio-visual presentations would be spoken in English. Similarly, all text in salesperson A&#39;s second salesperson profile  42  would be written in Spanish, and any audio-visual presentations would be spoken in Spanish. Thus, a prospective purchaser who was English speaking would choose to view and review the first salesperson profile  35 . But if the prospective purchaser were Spanish speaking, they would choose to view and review the second salesperson profile  42 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  elaborates upon the edit and manage relationship for dealer profiles, where there is common ownership/control  38  of at least two dealerships, as depicted in  FIG. 3 . The system  12  is designed to accommodate a single dealer/administrator  29  having edit and manage  32  control over at least two dealer profiles. Thus, system  12  may be configured to allow single a dealer/administrator  29  to edit and manage the content of first dealer profile  39  and second dealer profile  41 . As a corollary to this exclusive control over the dealer profiles, the same dealer/administrator would have exclusive control over all salesperson profiles (not shown in  FIG. 4  for clarity) which are respectively cross-linked to profiles  39  and  41 . 
         [0041]    In use, the system  12  provides a website on the Internet, that is publicly accessible by potential purchasers of motor vehicles. When the potential purchaser, or website user, views the website, there are two primary search functions: search for a dealer or search for a salesperson. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  represents a flow chart of the steps taken and options presented when a typical search for a dealer is made. When a user visits the website  43 , three options are available: Option  44 —Search for dealer(s) by location and brand(s) of vehicle(s) carried; Option  46 —Search for dealer by name; and, Option  47 —Directly accessing the “Landing Page”, showing for example: a directory of dealers in a state which carry brand(s) of vehicle(s); a directory of dealers in an auto mall, city, or other geographic area; a directory of dealers offering specific services, such as extended test drives or open late in the evening; or a directory of dealers offering specific types of vehicles, such as off-road trucks or electric vehicles. 
         [0043]    In the event option  44  is chosen, the user will enter a location, typically by city, state, or ZIP code, where the sought after dealer is located. The user can also select vehicle brand(s) he or she is interested in. In step  48 , the system  12  will display a web page showing the results of the search in which the names and locations of dealers are shown on a map and/or in a list. If option  46  is chosen, namely, search for dealer by name, the user will also be routed to step  48 , and will be shown the same dealer name and location information. If the potential purchaser either made a mistake in his or her selection of location or brand, or simply wants to conduct a new search, the page has a return option, represented by a broken line in  FIG. 5 , and return to option  44 . 
         [0044]    The user selects a dealer, and in step  49 , the system displays a page showing the dealer profile and any cross-linked profiles of salespeople. The user may select a salesperson profile, and go directly to step  51  where a selected salesperson profile is displayed. The user may also return to step  48 , and select a new dealer on the map or in the displayed list. Or, the user may return to option  44  and search for another dealer/brand. 
         [0045]    If the selected salesperson profile is unsatisfactory or uninteresting to the user, or if the user merely wants to review and compare additional salespeople at the dealership, he or she may return to step  49 , step  48  or option  44 , and make new selections or searches. However, if the selected salesperson profile is satisfactory or interesting to the potential purchaser, he or she then either contacts the salesperson or requests a price quotation on a particular vehicle, in step  52 . Because the potential purchaser will also reach step  52  if option  47  is chosen, that portion of the flow chart will first be discussed, before continuing in explanation of the remainder of the process common to all options. 
         [0046]    Option  47  provides for direct access to a “Landing Page”, namely, a particular page within the website of system  12  that contains specific, targeted information for the user. The URL for this Landing Page would typically be advertised in different media, or it may be promoted as a direct link from another Internet website, or it may be discovered as the result of an Internet search. This Landing Page displays, by way of example, a directory of dealers located in a particular state carrying particular brand(s) of motor vehicles. Landing Pages including different targeted information are also contemplated and may readily be implemented. 
         [0047]    By browsing this dealer directory, the user is able to select a named dealer. Then, in step  53 , the system  12  takes the user to the selected dealer&#39;s profile. Again, if the user is not satisfied with his or her selection, a return function will take the user back to the Landing Page for another selection. Otherwise, the user may view the content of the dealer&#39;s profile, including the profiles of salespeople who are cross-linked with that dealer. By selecting a particular salesperson, the system  12  displays that person&#39;s profile, in step  54 . In the event the user is not pleased with his or her selection, or merely wants to view the other salesperson or dealer profiles before proceeding further, the user may select a return function, and revisit either step  53  or option  47 . If the user wants to proceed with a particular salesperson shown in a profile, the user proceeds by either contacting the salesperson or requesting a quote from the salesperson, in step  52 . 
         [0048]    At this juncture, the user may proceed directly to step  56 , and make an offline contact with the salesperson. This may be accomplished by the user contacting the salesperson by telephone, Internet chat, video conference or other communications method, or by the user visiting the salesperson at the dealership premises. Using this approach, the user may proceed directly, in step  57 , wherein interaction with the selected salesperson takes place, discussing subjects such as vehicle use, likes, dislikes, comparisons with other vehicles, vehicle availability, vehicle ordering, extended warranties, and by making offers, making counter-offers, entering into negotiations, and forming a contract or not making a deal for the purchase of a vehicle. 
         [0049]    However, if the user elects to make an electronic contact, through the website of system  12 , the user proceeds to step  58 , filling in a lead form, providing contact information such as an e-mail address and/or a telephone number. This information is formatted by the system  12  into ADF/XML. ADF is an acronym for Auto-lead Data Format, an XML-based data-exchange standard for the auto industry. It is used by all auto industry CRM (Customer Relation Management) systems. Since all leads are collected and stored in a dealer&#39;s CRM database, a dealer can readily manage and track incoming leads. This lead management and tracking would be difficult with leads that are simply based upon incoming e-mails, which are not formatted in XML or other computer language or code that can be parsed and arranged in a dealer&#39;s CRM database. 
         [0050]    The contact information, and possible request for a quotation, may be reviewed by the dealer before being manually routed to the selected salesperson, in step  59 . The system  12  may also be configured for automatic routing in step  59 , so that every such lead, requesting a return contact or a price quotation from a user selected salesperson will automatically be routed to that person. 
         [0051]    In step  61 , the salesperson contacts the potential purchaser, by telephone, e-mail, or other method so that communications regarding the purchase of a vehicle can ensue. The process then moves on to step  57 , wherein interaction with the selected salesperson takes place, discussing subjects such as vehicle use, likes, dislikes, comparisons with other vehicles, vehicle availability, vehicle ordering, extended warranties, and by making offers, making counter-offers, entering into negotiations, and forming a contract or not making a deal for the purchase of a vehicle all can take place. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  comprises a flow chart of the steps taken and options presented when a typical search for a salesperson is made. It should be remembered that upon visiting the homepage of the website of system  12 , either a search for a dealer or a salesperson may be undertaken. In other words, the flow charts shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  represent alternative and complementary options for the potential purchaser. For the purposes of explanation of  FIG. 6 , the same numerical identifications will be used, as applicable, for the identical steps previously described for  FIG. 5 . In addition, no effort will be made to explain all of the return steps and options, shown by broken line in  FIG. 6  and explained previously with respect to the flow chart of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0053]    When potential purchaser visits the website  43 , three additional options are available, each respecting different kind of a search for a salesperson: Option  62 —Search for salespeople by language and location; Option  63 —Search for salesperson by name and location; and, Option  64 —Directly accessing the “Landing Page” showing a directory of salespeople in a state who speak the selected language. 
         [0054]    In the event option  62  is chosen, the user will enter a selected language and a location, typically by city, state, or ZIP code where the sought after salespeople are located. In step  66 , the system  12  will display a web page showing the results of the search in which salespeople meeting the language criterion are listed. Additional information displayed includes a map and/or a list of their location(s), and the names of their associated dealers. If option  63  is chosen, namely, search for salesperson by name and location, the user will also be routed to step  66 , and will be shown the same information provided in step  66 . 
         [0055]    The user selects a salesperson from the map and/or list, and in step  51 , the system displays a page showing the salesperson profile and any cross-linked profiles of dealers. The user may go to step  52  where he or she then either contacts the salesperson or requests a price quotation on a particular model. Because the potential purchaser will also reach step  52  if option  64  is chosen, that portion of the flow chart will next be discussed, before continuing in explanation of the remainder of the process common to all options. 
         [0056]    Option  64  provides for direct access to another “Landing Page”, similar to that described above but containing different content. This Landing Page displays a directory of salespeople located in a particular state who speak a particular language. By browsing this salespeople directory, the user is able to select a named salesperson. 
         [0057]    Other Landing Pages, showing different content, are also within the scope of the present system  12 . For example, salesperson Landing Pages may display: a directory of salespeople in a geographic area who work in dealership Internet departments; a directory of salespeople with specialized expertise, such as commercial trucks; a directory of salespeople in a geographic area who specialize in working with consumers with sub-prime credit; a directory of salespeople who are fans of a specified sport team; a directory of salespeople with more than  10  years of vehicle sales experience; or, a directory of salespeople who have worked as service technicians. 
         [0058]    Then, in step  54 , the system  12  takes the user to the selected salesperson&#39;s profile. There, the user views the content of the salesperson&#39;s profile, including the profiles of any dealers who are cross-linked with that salesperson. In the event the user is not pleased with his or her selection, or merely wants to view the other salesperson profiles before proceeding further, the user may select a return function, and revisit option  64 . If the user wants to proceed with a particular salesperson shown in a profile, the user proceeds by either contacting the salesperson or requesting a quote from the salesperson, in step  52 . 
         [0059]    At this point, the user may proceed directly to step  56 , and make an offline contact with the selected salesperson. This may be accomplished by the user contacting the salesperson by telephone, Internet chat, video conference or other communication method, or by the user visiting the salesperson. Using this approach, the user may proceed directly to step  57 , initiating direct interaction with the selected salesperson, wherein interaction with the selected salesperson takes place, discussing subjects such as vehicle use, likes, dislikes, comparisons with other vehicles, vehicle availability, vehicle ordering, extended warranties, and by making offers, making counter-offers, entering into negotiations, and forming a contract or not making a deal for the purchase of a motor vehicle. 
         [0060]    If the user chooses to make an electronic contact, through the website of system  12 , the user proceeds to step  58 , filling in a lead form, providing his or her contact information in the form of an e-mail address and/or a telephone number. As discussed previously, this information is formatted by the system  12  into ADF/XML, and collected and stored in the appropriate dealer&#39;s CRM database, so that dealer can readily manage and track incoming leads. 
         [0061]    The contact information, and possible request for a quotation, may be reviewed by the dealer before being manually routed to the selected salesperson, in step  59 . The system  12  may also be configured for automatic routing in step  59 , so that every such lead, requesting a return contact or a price quotation from a user selected salesperson will automatically be routed to that person. 
         [0062]    In step  61 , the salesperson contacts the potential purchaser, either by telephone, e-mail, or other method so that communications regarding the purchase of a vehicle can ensue. The process then moves on to step  57 , wherein interaction with the selected salesperson takes place, discussing subjects such as vehicle use, likes, dislikes, comparisons with other vehicles, vehicle availability, vehicle ordering, extended warranties, and by making offers, making counter-offers, entering into negotiations, and forming a contract or not making a deal for the purchase of a motor vehicle.