Invented by David L. Bamborough, James G. Blodgett, William R. Dangl, Robin A. Horder-Koop, James P. Hunking, Kenneth J. McDonald, John P. Parker, Kelly K. Savage, Claire E. Zevalkink, Thomas D. Paasche, Amway Corp

Electronic commerce, also known as e-commerce, has become an integral part of the modern marketing system. It refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. With the increasing use of technology and the internet, e-commerce has become a popular way for businesses to reach their customers and for consumers to purchase products and services. The market for e-commerce transactions has been growing rapidly in recent years. According to Statista, global e-commerce sales are expected to reach $4.9 trillion by 2021. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing use of mobile devices, the rise of social media, and the convenience of online shopping. One of the key features of e-commerce is the ability to offer a member buying opportunity. This refers to a system where customers can become members of a particular website or online store and receive exclusive discounts, promotions, and other benefits. This type of system is popular among businesses as it encourages customer loyalty and repeat purchases. The member buying opportunity can be a powerful marketing tool for businesses. By offering exclusive deals and discounts to members, businesses can incentivize customers to make more purchases and increase their lifetime value. Additionally, the member buying opportunity can help businesses build a community of loyal customers who are more likely to recommend their products or services to others. However, it is important for businesses to ensure that their member buying opportunity is well-designed and executed. The system should be easy to use and navigate, and the benefits offered to members should be attractive and relevant to their needs. Additionally, businesses should ensure that they are transparent about the terms and conditions of the member buying opportunity, including any fees or restrictions that may apply. In conclusion, the market for e-commerce transactions is growing rapidly, and businesses can benefit from offering a member buying opportunity as part of their marketing system. By providing exclusive deals and discounts to members, businesses can encourage customer loyalty and repeat purchases, while also building a community of loyal customers who are more likely to recommend their products or services to others. However, businesses must ensure that their member buying opportunity is well-designed and executed to maximize its effectiveness.

The Amway Corp invention works as follows

The invention is directed at a system and method of providing complete electronic commerce (E-Commerce)? Transactions and solutions for a marketing firm’s products via the World Wide Web. This includes facilities for signing up new customers, recruiting, training, and supporting new Independent Businesses Owners via an interactive online process. The present invention also relates to the combination a marketing company with a membership purchasing opportunity via both electronic commerce as well as face-to-face transactions. The invention also addresses a method and system for combining a marketing company with a membership purchasing opportunity. Independent Business Owners can refer customers to the membership buying opportunity and earn commissions or bonuses based on their purchases. Members can then consume products or qualify to become Independent Business owners.

Background for Electronic commerce transactions in a marketing system that might contain a member buying opportunity

1. “1.

The invention generally relates to electronic commerce transactions. The invention is particularly relevant to electronic commerce transactions between a marketing company and a marketing company. The invention also addresses the use of electronic networks to manage separate businesses that are not associated with the marketing firm.

2. “2.

The Internet is rapidly becoming the new global marketplace. Access to the Internet is increasing rapidly for both individuals and businesses. More businesses are interested in marketing and selling products and services via the Internet, especially via the World Wide Web (WWW ?).”).

In particular, multilevel marketing companies are becoming more familiar with the power and reach of the Internet to reach potential new customers and members. However, there has not been a full use of the Internet’s potential to offer electronic commerce through a combination of a marketing system and a membership purchasing club.

Conventional systems and methods of carrying out electronic transactions such as shopping have required the creation of separate electronic shopping carts for shopping from different merchants associated with a specific web site. Additionally, traditional systems have not been able to provide a distribution system that allows for the distribution of products from multiple sellers. These distribution systems do not allow products to be distributed by a single sales network, but instead offer different levels and structures for compensation for different product lines.

Conventional multilevel systems have not been able provide a way for members to buy directly from marketing companies associated with the system. These systems do not offer commissions or bonuses based on sales made directly to members by the marketing company, as well as sales made from members’ sponsors. Multilevel marketing companies have relied on the vast network of distributors and members that are associated with the company to market and promote its products and services, as well as to add members to their marketing system. Companies that do business online have required that shoppers purchase products through a website that is sponsored and maintained by one of their members.

There is a need for overcoming the disadvantages mentioned above. It is essential to create a single system and method of marketing distribution that can distribute products from multiple sellers. Each seller will be distributed through an independent sales network, with different levels of compensation for each product line. A further requirement is to make it possible for shoppers to purchase products from multiple sources within a single transaction. It is essential to offer a system that allows shoppers to buy products directly from marketing companies, registered business owners, merchant partners, and to do this using an electronic shopping cart that is persistent throughout the site.

The present invention solves and overcomes the shortcomings of conventional marketing systems.

The present invention is a method of facilitating electronic commerce transactions through a marketing system using a network. A network comprises at least one server computer that can communicate with a remote client computer. This method involves establishing an interactive online registration between the client browser and the server computer. A Client can register as a Client, Member, or Member Plus. A Member can buy products at a Member Price and not earn compensation. A Member Plus is eligible for compensation by meeting a sales qualification level, which qualifies him as an IBO. Each IBO is then eligible to purchase products at an IBO cost and is eligible for compensation. Further, the method includes the provision of a number of web files that can be operatively linked to a website associated with a marketing system. The method also allows access to a variety of marketing system products to be accessed by the registered Client, Member or Member Plus via at least one of the plurality web files.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for facilitating on-line shopping and rewards programs through a network. The network comprises at least one server computer that can communicate with a browser system located at remote client computers. This method involves establishing an interactive online registration between the client browser and the server computer. A Client can register as a member, or as a member, with the marketing system. Members are eligible to purchase products at a Member’s price but cannot earn compensation. Member Pluses are eligible for compensation by meeting a sales qualification level, which qualifies them as IBOs. Each IBO is allowed to buy products from an IBO price and is eligible for compensation. A catalog containing marketing system products and services is maintained on the server computer. The method also includes maintaining a reward database on the server computer to store reward points that correspond to registered clients, members, member plus, and IBO. It also allows for on-line access of the catalog to registered clients, member, member plus, and IBO via on-line orders form.

Another aspect of the invention is a system that facilitates an online shopping experience and rewards program. The system comprises a computer system that can be used for interactive on-line communication. The computer system also includes a memory device that contains information about a variety of marketing system products, and a processor communicating with said memory device. The processor can be used to establish an interactive online registration process where an individual can register as a Client, Member or Member Plus. A Client is not eligible for compensation but is eligible buy products at a Member Price. A Member Plus is eligible for compensation by satisfying a sales qualification level, which qualifies them as IBOs. Each IBO is entitled to purchase products at an IBO pricing and is eligible for compensation.

The processor can be configured to maintain a catalog that includes marketing system products, services, as well as a rewards database to store reward points for registered clients, members, member plus, and IBO. It can also be used to provide on-line access the catalog to registered clients, member, member plus, and IBO via on-line orders forms.

The present invention also relates to a computer program product that includes a computer-useable medium with computer program logic stored thereon. This allows a processor to enable an online shopping and rewards program. The computer program establishes means to enable the processor to create an interactive online registration process where an individual can register with the marketing software as a Client, Member, or Member Plus. A Client is not eligible for compensation but is eligible buy products at a Member Price. A Member Plus is eligible for compensation by satisfying a sales qualification level, which qualifies them as an IBO. Each IBO is eligible buy products from an IBO price and is entitled to receive compensation.

The computer program should also include: catalog keeping means to enable the processor maintain a marketing system product and service catalog; rewards database maintaining means to enable the processor maintain a reward database that stores reward points for registered clients, members, member plus, and IBO; rewards values assigning means to enable the processor assign a redemption price to marketing system products or services to a registered client, member, member plus, and IBO via the online order form; second, means to enable the processor allow registered Clients, Members, Member Plus and IBO to submit a reward request for the database; third allowing the processor’s to deducting means to determine the value of the corresponding to be taken from the a redemption form.

The present invention also relates to a method of facilitating electronic commerce transactions through a marketing system using a network. The network comprises at least one server computer that can communicate with a browser system located on a remote client computer. A user is granted online access to a homepage file that facilitates electronic commerce transactions. The Client cannot earn compensation but is eligible for products at a Client’s price. Members can buy products at Member prices and are not eligible to receive compensation. Member Pluses may also be eligible for compensation by meeting a sales qualification level. Each IBO is entitled to purchase products at an IBO cost and can earn compensation. Additionally, the method provides a variety of shopping pages web files that allow users to purchase products and services from marketing companies associated with the system. It also includes a minimum one vendor partner web file for purchasing products and services from vendors associated with the system.

The present invention also relates to a system that facilitates electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system. The system comprises a memory device that contains information about a variety of products and services in a marketing system. A processor is also included in the system. The processor can be configured to provide a user on-line access the home page file for electronic commerce transactions. A Client is not eligible for compensation and is not eligible for buying products at a Member’s price. A Member Plus is eligible for compensation by completing a sales qualification level. Each IBO is entitled to purchase products at an IBO cost and is eligible for compensation. A processor can also be configured to provide a variety of shopping pages web files that allow users to purchase products or services from marketing companies associated with the system. Additionally, the processor can also provide at least one vendor page web file for purchasing products and/or services from vendors associated with the system.

Another aspect of the invention is a computer program product that includes a computer-useable medium with computer program logic recorded on it for enabling a processor to facilitate electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system. The computer program logic provides means to enable the processor to provide an online access to a homepage file for electronic commerce transactions. A Client is not eligible for compensation and can buy products at a Member’s price. A Member Plus is eligible for compensation by meeting a sales qualification level. Each IBO is eligible for IBO prices and is eligible for compensation. Further, the computer program logic includes the ability to enable the processor provide multiple shopping pages web files to purchase products and services from marketing companies associated with the system. It also provides means to enable the processor provide at least one vendor page web file to buy products and services from vendors associated with that system.

Another aspect of the invention is related to a system that facilitates electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system. The system comprises a memory device that contains information about a number of products from the marketing system and a processor communicating with it. The processor can be used to establish an interactive online registration process where an individual can register as a Client or Member. A Member is not eligible for compensation but is eligible buy products at a Member’s price. A Member Plus is eligible for compensation by completing a sales qualification level. Each IBO is then eligible to purchase products at an IBO cost and is eligible for compensation. Further, the processor can be configured to provide a plurality web files that are operatively coupled with a website associated with the marketing program. This will allow access to multiple marketing system products, services, and clients via at least one of these web files.

Another aspect of the invention is a computer program product that includes a computer-useable medium with computer program logic stored thereon. This allows a processor in a system to facilitate electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system. The computer program logic establishes means to enable the processor to create an interactive online registration process where an individual can register as a Client or Member. A Client is not eligible for compensation but is eligible buy products at a Member Price. A Member Plus is eligible for compensation by fulfilling a sales qualification level. Each IBO is eligible buy products at an IBO cost and is eligible for compensation. Further, the computer program logic includes a means to enable the processor’s to provide a plurality web files that can be operatively linked to a website associated with the marketing systems. This allows the processor access to multiple marketing system products and services via at least one of these web files.

The present invention also relates to a method for marketing and selling products via a marketing system. The method involves registering individuals as Clients, Members, or Member Plus with the marketing system. A Client is not eligible for compensation but is eligible buy products at a Member Price. A Member Plus is eligible buy products at a Member Plus Price. Each IBO is eligible for compensation by satisfying a sales qualification level. A registered Client, Member, Member Plus or IBO can purchase products directly from the marketing company. An individual who qualifies as an IBO is compensated based on the sales of marketing system products and marketing system products that include products of the company.

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