Patent ID: 7962402

Claim:
An interne based communication method for conducting an on-line reverse auction and a negotiation comprising the steps of: a. presenting a product selection from a web server to a buyer; b. receiving product information selected by the buyer; c. generating a sales lead including at least a zip code and an email address; d. authorizing the buyer to post a request for a quote for a product after generating the sales lead; e. posting the request for the quote from the buyer; f. searching for at least one seller authorized to sell the product requested by the buyer based on information provided by the buyer; g. notifying the authorized sellers of the buyer including preferences with the request for the quote; h. allowing the sellers not previously notified to join into the negotiation process; i. permitting the authorized sellers to post the quote and relevant information in response to the request for the quote from the buyer; j. utilizing the web server to calculate a buyer rating from data provided by the buyer in order to determine a quality of the sales lead; k. informing the sellers of the buyer rating; l. providing an environment on the web server to conduct the negotiation between the buyer and the sellers during the on-line reverse auction; and m. determining an endpoint for the on-line reverse auction and the negotiation process for the product.